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Have you ever wanted to dive into a game Rambo style? I mean, just charge in there with your chest out and guns blazing, taking on anything that dares to stand in your way? If you’re like me, then Commander Tiberius Troubleson might just scratch that itch.
This delightful action rogue-lite platformer, developed by Jos_AB, is a exciting mix of 2D side-scroller, spellcasting, and exploration that will have you feeling like a true space wizard warrior.
The story follows a rather familiar save-the-universe plot: an evil takeover, a seemingly insurmountable threat, and you, the unlikely hero, stepping up to restore peace. It’s a bit cliché I suppose, but hey, if it ain’t broke, why fix it, right?
Players take on the role of the pint-sized Tiberius Troubleson, a space wizard armed with both a gun and a flair for the dramatic. As you navigate through nicely designed levels, you’ll need both skill and strategy to get through each level —think of it as a cosmic obstacle course where the stakes are high, and the enemies are, well, not very friendly.
Where most games demand slow and steady, this Commander emphasizes fast-paced action, where you’ll confront waves of enemies that require quick reflexes and tactical thinking. The roguelite elements ensure that each run feels distinct, offering new challenges and opportunities for exploration.
The game mechanics, I’d say, are fairly standard platforming fare. You move mainly from left to right, up, and down, with the goal of deactivating vaults that are warping in these pesky enemy creatures. Using your ability to jump, double jump, dash, climb ropes, and scale ladders, you’ll make your way through each stage until you face off against the end-level bosses. Just remember, if you can’t beat them with traditional weapons, you can always throw some magic at them.
As a rogue shooter, weapon enhancements play a key role as you can build upon your current loadout, adding two more options per weapon upgrade at any time. This gives the weapons an interesting look and make disposing of the enemies look a little different each time. Though most are limited in ammo, your standard gun, thankfully, has unlimited ammunition, because you're going to need it when you get swarmed on all sides.
One thing I found amusing is that the gameplay doesn’t consider damage from falling great heights. Seriously, you can plummet from 500 feet and walk away like you just tripped over your own shoelaces. This lack of fall damage ensures that the game maintains a quick pace and encourages speedy progression.
Enemies like mutant dogs, slugs, and walking aliens are scattered throughout and will try to stop your progress. But with enough firepower, you can make short work of them. Power-ups are generously sprinkled around, and you can purchase upgrades at your leisure—just be sure to keep an eye on your credits, or you might end up broke and fighting for your life.
The game's visuals is reminiscent of classic platformers, particularly with its pixelated art style. This design choice reminds me quite a bit of when I first played classics like Prince of Persia, and most recently, Willie Jetman, which is known for its pixelated but charming look.
Intricate level designs feature towering platforms and imposing formations, transforming the environment into your personal playground. Ledges, ladders, and ropes assist you in conquering the more challenging areas.
The background is a sea of shifting colors, with shadows occasionally piercing through as if hesitating to fully reveal itself. In the foreground, vibrant lights stand out like neon markers being pressed against black velvet, creating a visually striking contrast. This eye-catching design makes every element pop, resulting in a virtual feast for the eyes
When there's explosion, for example, everything blows up in fiery dust balls, like watching a miniature firework show that’s been hijacked by the Lemmings, except this time, they’ve traded their mindless cliff-diving for some serious firepower.
By the look of it, the developers must have taken every childhood memory of popping bubble wrap and mixed it with a Fourth of July spectacle—only now, it's pixelated, and the fireworks are sending alien scum back to the void.
After having played the demo, I can honestly say that I enjoyed my time with the Commander. The game is fast-paced, although at times you do have to slow down to make the necessary jumps to reach almost impossible areas. Still, without any damage taken from falling, the game is really geared for fast gameplay, which I actually like.
I’m looking forward to trying out the final release, and I think it could potentially be a surprise hit, assuming I don’t end up as alien goo first.
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