James GordanIn Angry Video Game Nerd, Angry Video Game Nerd is sucked into a playground where shit reigns supreme. AVGN must rely on its Nintendo Zapper to conquer 8 levels of gameplay before it can reach the final dungeon and find out who lured Angry Video Game Nerd to this hellish inferno!
With the evil video game Nerd II: Assimilation, one of the sworn enemies of AVGN (the same villain as the first), returns to find out more by sending AVGN back to the game world where the nerd must overcome even more hellish enemies and even more treacherous levels. Can you help a botanist, equipped with his trusty Nintendo zapper and extra equipment, escape from the land of the game?
The Deluxe Angry Video Game Nerd 1 & 2 kit is composed of two shooters inspired by the 8 bits of the Mega Man series that look like a gun. The first game has a level selection screen similar to that of Mega Man, which means you can play the levels in any order you like. Each level has its own unique sensations and treacherous design. If you are unfamiliar with AVGN, it plays worthless games and points out the most obvious design flaws, and it’s used fairly well here. Things for which the games are poorly designed are used here, but they are done in a more accessible way.
Although the game is generally well designed, there is a boring level that is usually played in the dark, with the exception of a little light from the nerd, so you won’t see any traps (such as Insta Death Platforms) until you’re usually on it. There are also blocks that disappear and go up on the platform, as can be seen in Super Mario World.
The Nerd II video game: Assimilation generally retains the same features as the first game, but on the selection screen, similar to the Mega Man, instead of the Overworld map in Super Mario Bros. 3, with the only difference that you can manage each level at any time. Each world has three short (on average 4 minutes… …depending on how many times you die… and yes, you die. Often…) levels to get through before you get to the boss. Fighting with the bosses is really fun, easy and uncomplicated, but some of them can also get pretty restless.
The suite builds on its predecessor by not only adding extra equipment for the botanist (more on this below), but also extra traps. Such as swings, Jason-like figures, gravity platforms and even seaweed plains (but much easier than a mutated Ninja turtle in the NES). The bosses are getting more and more interesting. The only problem with the sequel is the last dungeon; in fact, it’s like playing Virtual Boy (I think that’s what they were aiming for): It’s a mixture of mostly red and a little black, and it’s not interesting to look at.
One of the biggest differences between the two games is that assimilation also includes updates. For example, while exploring the levels, players can take a Nintendo Power Glove that allows a botanist to jump over a wall. They also set up different types of levels; at the end you have a silver surfboard (a nod to a silver surfer on the NES, a game that botanists absolutely hate) or even an automatic roller where you have to think fast to avoid falling while the dragon is chasing you. There’s even a Big Rigs cameo!
And when you have completed both games, you will be rewarded with a brand new extra level, which continues with assimilation and contains a lot of different mechanics, spread over the next different levels. They are always equipped with all the updates you will find in Assimilation. A boss of that calibre, that’s something.
Both kits also offer many possibilities in terms of accessibility, especially in terms of complexity. While the first game, Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures, was known for its complexity when it was released on the PC in the distant future of 2013, the developers added various difficulty settings, from Easy to One Credit Champ (quite understandable). This means that those who play this kind of game can give themselves a chance without feeling defeated and depressed. It also adds a layer with read values.
In addition, the game features frequent checkpoints on each level, so you don’t have to spend too much time in retreat when you die. Luckily, the nerd has some health, too. Your health is represented by three beer bottle symbols in the top left corner. With Easy, you can take 6 shots before you die, and with Hard, you need 3 shots. If you find bottles of beer with Rolling Rock, you contribute to your health.
You can also find a selection of decent premiums. For example, a barrel will allow you to regain your health, small bombs will allow you to drop various bombs on your enemies, and the Glitchy Gremlin will temporarily freeze your enemies and move traps. Any additional premium would be useful, especially in complicated situations.
Both games in the luxury Angry Video Game Nerd 1 & 2 set offer unique and delicious 8-bit feedback from the Golden Age. Each level is uniquely designed with its own bits and bops, so no two levels are perceived in the same way. The strong influences of Mega Man and Castlevania are clearly visible in both games; a nice touch of 80s classics. The soundtrack is a cheerful chiptun and one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard in recent years. For me, it was a rare occasion when I felt like I was playing a game designed specifically for the 8-bit generation.
Angry Video Game Nerd 1 & 2 Deluxe is a great package that pays homage to both classic 8-bit games and various episodes of AGVN. If you’re an AVGN fan, you should be. For those who are not familiar with nerd, this is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with its contents. Although these are two great games in general, it has some dubious designs that I think were made specifically to ridicule the original games it came from, but that’s a little disappointing. If you’re looking for a challenge or just want to have some fun in the classic 8-bit era of games, then this game is just a must-have.
*This journal code has been generously provided by the publisher for the magazine.
The promoter: The game publisher FreakZone : Screenwave Media
Release Date : 7. July 2020. Platforms : Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh Operating Systems
Visualised platform : Nintendo switch
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