Antonblast’s gameplay has a diabolical bent, as if crafted by Lucifer himself, akin to a wickedly clever Wario Land.

Two hours into this side-scrolling action-platformer, which takes its cues from classic games like Wario Land on the Game Boy Advance and early Crash Bandicoot titles, I found myself questioning whether I was actually playing with a purpose. Despite conquering several challenging boss battles and navigating through numerous tough levels, I felt precariously balanced between triumph and exhaustion.

Despite the obvious chaos, I was actually having a great time. Riding a rollercoaster while subtly energized? As certainty settled over key factors, the sports’ frenzied mechanics suddenly clicked into place – in these moments, I felt myself fluent in the peculiar dialect of.

Despite everything, this recreation could include a dedicated ‘Scream’ button. (Critically, screams of agony echo through the desolate landscape as you unrelentingly uphold the chaotic order.)

As pandemonium reigns supreme, a perpetual tumult simmers beneath the surface, where each conundrum is pummeled into submission by the relentless force of a massive mallet or torn asunder with reckless abandon, evoking the unbridled fury of a Tasmanian Devil. As Dynamite Anton, I’m dispatched into 2D realms that shift in every direction, bounding and careening through a maze of exploding crates, dodging and colliding with breakneck velocity. Throughout the game, I encounter intense platforming sequences where I must navigate treacherous terrain while avoiding deadly lakes and swimming pools infested with electrified, eel-like mechanical creatures that pose a constant threat. I’m perpetually hurtling forward, leaving chaos in my wake, a whirlwind of destruction and upheaval.

As the future unfolds, I stumble upon explosive machines, releasing pent-up potential with each pressing of the lever, and previously inaccessible areas unfold before me. Several of these high-powered blasting machines trigger the final stretch’s climax, as a loudspeaker booms out “HAPPY HOUR!” – my cue to sprint back to the starting line and make a swift exit from the extent. It appears that Anton has been instructed to engage in another round of revelry at his primary dwelling place, with a peculiar twist: each scene unfolds in reverse, leading to an increasingly frenzied atmosphere.

As a twisted consequence of the eternal cycle of thievery, Dynamite Anton’s actions are motivated by the theft of his liquor – pilfered initially from someone else and now stolen again by none other than the Devil himself. Their objective is to refine those mischievous candy spirits and leave a trail of devastation in Anton’s path?

Despite the thick veil of chaos that often surrounds it, the essence of this platformer lies in its precise gameplay, where attention to environmental details yields secrets and hidden pathways, and mastery of ones’ runs is the ultimate goal. It’s immediately apparent from the game’s inaugural boss battle against a seasoned professional wrestler. As soon as you enter the fray, you’re faced with a need for swift reaction, intense observation of the wrestler’s moves, and repetition until you’ve mastered the intricate dance. At first, many people find learning a new language frustrating, but with persistence and dedication, the process can become enjoyable as they develop a deeper understanding of its complexities.

In a nod to classic Wario Land titles, this game can be played in a similar vein; however, it boasts its own unique visual identity, inspired by the bold, gritty aesthetic of 1990s graffiti and edgy video games and cartoons. This wildly kinetic recreation unfolds with unbridled energy, its performance and aesthetic sensibilities distinctively showcased. At times, the apparent disorder can escalate into overwhelming; however, its essence is often marred by an excessive amount of clutter.

At Summitsphere, developers expertly balance the dynamic energy across their 12 levels, thanks to intricate motion mechanics, diverse enemy encounters, and strategic executive decisions. With an abundance of concealed treasures to uncover, and multiple ways to relive each level – including time-attack and combo-driven runs – the game boasts an astonishing degree of complexity.

Available to download on Home Windows PC via Steam, where it runs smoothly on a Steam Deck, and has just debuted – albeit with a slight delay – on Nintendo Switch. Anyone familiar with Wario’s mischievous escapades in the Wario Land series should definitely give this game a try.

Antonblast