Parasite Pack
by Mikhail
Jul 8, 2022 |
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Genres:
Retro , Platformer , PuzzleGraphics:
2DLabels:
Platformer , RetroPlatforms:
Publishers:
Ratalaika Games Parasite Pack delivers two games in one experience with a platformer, Flea!, and a grid-based puzzle game, Tapeworm Disco Puzzle. Both titles offer retro-style visuals and challenging yet fun gameplay that will test the limits of your wits and reflexes. Play Now Similar Games Played
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Summary
Rarely do we get several games in one package, which isn’t surprising because games today are lengthy and provide more comprehensive experiences than old titles. Such was the case in Gameboy cartridges and even some PlayStation discs.
Parasite Pack brings it back by offering two games in one package. The first game it offers is Flea!, a tight platformer as challenging as its peers like Celeste and Ori and will induce several “rage quits” in a gaming session. The second game is Tapeworm Disco Puzzle, a game where take the mantle of the titular tapeworm and navigate obstacles using puzzle-based gameplay.
Parasite Pack is available on the Switch, and though it looks more retro than retro games, don’t be put off. I had more fun with them than expected, and regardless if you consider yourself a retro gamer or otherwise, it won’t disappoint you.
Plotline
In Flea!, you’ll get to play as a jumping flea, exploring vast caverns of what seems like the insides or the fur of a parasite-riddled animal. Whatever the case, you’ll journey across dangerous areas full of spiky traps and terrain that will end your adventure prematurely.
Meanwhile, in Disco Tapeworm Puzzle, you’ll play as a tapeworm that looks more like an earthworm. Like in Flea!, you’ll explore the insides of your host to try and stop a condition affecting the other inhabitants. The story is told through semi-animated cutscenes, which show the protagonists interacting with the other characters.
Gameplay
The first game you’ll likely play in Parasite Pack is Flea! It’s a retro-style platformer with the preciseness of its more famous peers like Celeste. The main difference between most games, though, is in Flea, your character doesn’t stop moving: it continuously jumps up and down, and it’s up to you to time it right.
However, this is easier said than done. You will have to navigate various obstacles ranging from spikes to pools of water that will vaporize the flea upon contact. Though you will mostly only have to move left and right via the directional buttons or the analog stick of the left joycon, it takes a massive amount of effort and sense of timing to get it right. Moreover, you’ll also have to gather “blood” scattered across levels. Thankfully, you’ll have a lot of lives since it seems like you’re given at least 20 after every ten levels. There are bosses in Flea!, but you don’t exactly fight them. Instead, you’ll attempt to escape them.
The second game in Parasite Pack, Tapeworm Disco Puzzle, is a puzzle game with a surprising amount of variety. Your tapeworm has a limited number of segments, meaning he can only move to a specific number of grids. However, this can increase if you gather cassette tapes in particular locations. After all, he is a nightclub owner.
The levels will require you to perform specific tasks. For example, you’ll be required to gather musical notes in one, while in the next, you’ll help a flea gather vials of blood on one level by making yourself a platform he can jump on. Like always, things aren’t that simple: enemies are lurking about, and some traps can impede your progress. One wrong move, and you’ll have to start the stage you’re in all over again.
To aid in this endeavor, levels are equipped with various elements that can help you out. For example, there are warp portals your tapeworm’s head can teleport to and wooden crates that negate traps, enabling the fleas you’re guiding to make it to their destinations. There are also fans that can blow fleas to higher areas and destructible obstacles that you can use to trap enemies.
Graphics/Sound
In terms of presentation, don’t expect photorealistic graphics from Parasite Pack since both Flea and Tapeworm Disco Puzzle have retro graphics. The visuals are reminiscent of NES games which may either entice or put off players. The soundtrack excels, delivering an experience conducive to solving puzzles and escaping enemy traps.
The game’s art style is a coin toss between being ridiculously cute and ridiculously scary. The levels are designed with dancing microorganisms, fluffy parasite-like beings, and other elements that are in the realm of absurdity. Fortunately, this is all part of the game’s charm, and you’ll mostly find yourself laughing at them than feeling disturbed.
Conclusion
Overall, Parasite Pack contains two wonderful games that are undoubtedly worth diving into. Flea! is a challenging platformer, perfect for anyone who wants to dive into games like Celeste or Ori, while Tapeworm Disco Puzzle is a straightforward puzzle experience with lots of nuances to keep players entertained. The retro-style graphics look fantastic, and they manage to look great without appearing dated at all.
With a low price point, Parasite Pack offers fantastic value, so we highly recommend grabbing a copy today.
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