[h3]Weave at ever-increasing speeds in this freefall simulator of sorts, collecting achievements along the way. It's challenging, to be sure, but not for the right reasons: Clipping, sluggish horizontal velocity, and then pure guessing in late stages make for an unduly frustrating experience.[/h3]
Steam has no shortage of cheap achievement games, of which Fall Down barely distinguishes itself from -- The title screen goes so far as to even advertise what you can unlock in its very own menu. And while there is nothing wrong with affordable micro-games, Fall Down doesn't pay much of any attention to the player experience.
[h3]Getting to the point, the game has numerous flaws:[/h3]
❌ Bland, boring graphics. Likely a stock asset pack cobbled together
❌ Fails to communicate controls. Realizing that shift allowed sprinting and high speed dodge was a game changer
❌ Mouse loses focus, especially on dual monitors, causing all kinds of problems
❌ Clipping on the starting platform. You have to get enough velocity to clear it, or jump
❌ Invisible hitbox. Probably the worst offender, you'll die repeatedly simply because you don't know how close you can skirt the obstacles on crowded stages. Viewing direction seems to matter as well
❌ Extremely sluggish horizontal velocity is beyond frustrating to maneuver against
❌ The last set of stages introduce multiple exits that you literally have to complete by trial and error
[h3]In the spirit of fairness, what the game does right:[/h3]
✅ It's difficult, which is evidence of intentional design
✅ All achievements work, implying the developer did test the stages to ensure the game was possible to complete
Should you buy it? Not unless you're an achievement masochist. It's painful and potentially rage inducing as you fail repeatedly for reasons outside of your control. The falling simulator concept is viable, but it requires responsive controls, greater visibility of upcoming obstacles and your avatar's hitbox to enable you to dodge them, and something--anything-- to keep the exercise from becoming bland, like powerups or collectibles. Why not allow platforming? One stage even included a checkpoint but then immediately tossed out the idea.
Wait for the steepest sale or bundle.
[u]Achievement Hunters[/u]: Complete every stage. ~1hr to 100% depending on luck and skill
[i]Thank you bron99 for the contribution.[/i]
