Game Type DX

If there’s one thing that’ll sell me on a game, it’s being weird. Actually, come to think of it, cats will sell me on a game too – so… let’s make that two things, then.

It’s a good thing that Game Type DX has both of these things.

Pump it into my veins!

Many thanks to Mommy’s Best Games for the review code.

HAVING A (MEDIA)BALL
In a world of sentient advertisements run by the malevolent MediaBall, only one girl can put a stop to it all: Hoodie Girl!

Well, actually it may not be a fight against the world of advertising, since the first thing you’ll encounter when you boot up the game is a plethora of menu complete with inane adverts: read all about the latest TV show ‘Name That movie! With Your Parents’ (“It’s got that one guy in it…), or search for the hottest valentines day gift, or even listen to the radio! There’s a fair bit of silliness here for you to browse and laugh at before getting into the real game, which is ‘hidden’ away … under the tab labelled ‘games’.

Really broke a sweat working that puzzle out.

SHOOT EM MEOWP
After spending a little time in the menus, you’ll want to get down to the real meat and potatoes – the game inside a game known as Game Type DX. Controls are relatively simple: you have a rapid fire shot that shoots in multiple directions. as well as a powerful distance kick attack which requires a little charging but deals hefty damage. The game refers to this as parkour, but only really to fit in with the theming of the protagonist.

There are three game modes to choose from: the standard mode, a harder remixed mode, and an even harder randomised mode. The first two modes are structurally quite similar in that you work your way through three levels with different themings, and then fight a boss at the end. After which point you’ll continue repeating the same levels again but faster and with more enemies thrown at you until you inevitably fall against the system. I’d like to say that it’s a metaphor for trying to fight against rampant capitalism, but it’s more likely that they wanted to stretch a small amount of content that little bit further.

But what is there is a lot of fun. The game is really responsive and hitboxes seems very generous (a rarity for the genre from my experience), but it’s the crazy enemies that really make the game. Flying cats, baseball players, heads that pop out of falling cars, revolving tombstones: it’s all glorious nonsense and it’s a sight to behold.

Where the game really attempts to sell itself is with the randomiser mode that assembles stages piecemeal with enemies and power ups (and power downs too) all being thrown at you constantly. It’s a lot of fun reacting to all the insanity going on around you, but it also doesn’t feel like it does enough to feel noticeably different with each playthrough. Not that it’s a huge issue considering the game doesn’t have a huge price tag, but I still hope more random chunks can be added in the future – even as paid DLC.

The weird world of Game Type DX is a compelling one, and the straightforward mechanics make it an addictive score chaser. However, even though there are a few game modes on offer, you’ll probably see most of what it has to offer after a mere half hour. It’s a shame there isn’t a little more content here, but the cheap price makes it worth picking up for fans of the genre.