There are times where certain games just feel like they belong on specific platforms, especially when it comes to the Nintendo Switch. It shouldn’t be too surprising, that Duck Game happens to fit this (duck) bill.
My familiarity with Duck Game going in was limited, however, after taking a quick look at the title, I was genuinely excited in getting to finally try it on the Switch platform. The first thing that caught my attention during my initial time booting up the game, was its interesting menu system. Players immediately get to move around the hub area upon boot up, which also acts as an interactive menu, where the player can access the main modes of play, the level editor and the library.
Not bothering with the single player content, I wanted to jump right into the multiplayer, which can be considered to be the heart of Duck Game, right away, this immediately proved to be a fatal mistake, albeit a hilarious one.
Duck Game is a fast and frenzied 2D action game, best played with a couple of friends.
The game is so fast, in fact, that it may take a few rounds, for newcomers to get accustomed to the title. Sitting ducks be warned, if you’re not quick on your webbed feet, you’re toast. The quick and quacky nature of battle also helps alleviate any sense of frustration, replacing it with a guaranteed laugh.
Graphically, Duck Game feels like a really good Flash game from the days gone by, with music and sound effects, reminiscent of the Super Nintendo and other 16-bit era consoles.
Duck Game features an impressive selection of weapons, including everything from flamethrowers to gag weapons, such as foam-dart guns and slippery bananas, that can easily cause unsuspecting ducks to slide off the map.
Each weapon feels appropriate to use, with shotguns having a hefty kickback, to the chaingun and chainsaw, requiring some extra time to wind up. The randomness of what weapons will spawn make for interesting scenarios that help keep each match feeling fresh and fun. The maps themselves also are varied, offering players with an assortment of backgrounds, ranging from forests, burning cities, snowy fields, space, amongst a few others.
Stages themselves are fully customizable and with Duck Game’s built-in, level editor, players can easily make their own stage, especially in handheld mode, thanks to the touchscreen, which can be used to quickly place tiles and textures onto the field.
The single-player mode within Duck Game is essentially a gauntlet that helps fledgeling ducklings get accustomed to the fast-paced nature of the title. Offering up, a sizable chunk of challenge maps, requiring players to really stretch their wings and make their way through the surprisingly, often times, difficult maze-like, levels.
Without a doubt, the best way to experience Duck Game is through its multiplayer modes of play, especially when played locally. It is impossible to play Duck Game without laughing, even for those stubborn players that can get a little too competitive. The title also includes an online mode that also supports additional, local players to join in on the cartoon carnage, meaning even just two players can quickly find additional ducks to fill out the remaining two slots available.
Completing matches or challenge stages reward players with points that can then be exchanged for unlockable hats, which the game has an abundance of, ranging from oversized bobbleheads to anime-inspired wigs, all of which can be removed or thrown off during gameplay, ultimately adding to the over-the-top craziness that is Duck Game.
