Escape Goat – Review (PC)

Escape Goat – Review (PC)

Escape Goat knows what it is and does a damn good job doing it. A solid puzzle platformer.

The puzzle platformer has been with us, some say, as long as Donkey Kong. So this is about as well trodden ground as an Apple Store on new iPhone day. It’s a tale as old as time: You’re trapped in a room. You jump on ledges, push buttons and collect keys to progress to the next room that you’re trapped in until you jump on ledges, push buttons and collect keys ad infinitum. These days, the only way to stand out in this genre is to employ a clever physics engine, like N, or just do a damn good job, like Super Meat Boy or Escape Goat.

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Escape Goat is a decent puzzle platformer, no more, no less and sometimes that’s all you need. Today’s premise for jumping on ledges and collecting keys is that you are trying to escape from the Prison of Agnus. You have been imprisoned on charges of witchcraft. Evidence of the charges is extremely lacking, however, given that all you can do is run, jump and head butt things like a normal goat. As you make your way through the prison with your trusty mouse companion, you encounter a flock of kindly sheep that help you on your quest to escape. Through the sheep you learn that should you linger in the prison too long, you will join the ranks of the Reapers – grim, scythe-wielding wraiths that stalk the prison, looking for delicious goats to slay.

While just well written enough to engage, the story is not why we’re here. We’re here for the puzzles and damn good puzzles they are too. You have to use the environment to collect keys and make your way through the six levels of each stage. The design of these complex puzzles range from bloody obvious to fist pumpingly gratifying and require more lateral thought than quick reactions and timing. Figuring out the correct sequence of actions, while avoiding hazards is tempered by the lack of time constraints, so you have plenty of time to study your environment and figure out what to do. Some of the later puzzles require trial and error, resulting in a squishy, zappy or fiery demise. But the lack of a lives system and the ability to jump straight back into the level after death with no loading screen keeps your momentum going and makes for a more organic experience.
Each of the ten stages introduces new mechanics for you to master, ranging from exploding barrels to ice blocks to Tesla coils. These stages have a unique style that break up the pixelled landscape and keeps things fresh as you progress. Along with the colour palette, the music in Escape Goat is really top-notch, much better than I expected in such a simple looking game.

Assisting you on your quest is your mouse companion who, given his ability to wear a dashing magical hat, possesses more magical power than you do. The mouse’s ability to crawl through nooks and the ability to trade places with him across the room adds an extra element to the complexity as well as a much-needed tool in your basic repertoire of moves. This will occasionally allow you to solve puzzles in a way that makes you think, “Was I supposed to do that?” as you bypass half the traps. Again, this is evidence of damn good puzzle design, but not unfamiliar.

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I cleared the story mode in around two hours, a decent length for a game like this; it doesn’t outstay its welcome and kept me engaged throughout. But for those who want more, there is an extra hard mode full of keyboard-snappingly difficult puzzles to unlock. There is also a level editor for you to try out your puzzle design skills and share them with your friends. The community generated content will breath plenty of fresh challenge into the game, assuring replay value for some time to come.

Escape Goat is damn good, but that’s all. The puzzles are interesting, but aren’t the most challenging I’ve ever encountered and the lack of pacing and having speed be an essential factor left me feeling rather underwhelmed. Being clever is fine, but the puzzles aren’t that exciting in an N or Super Meat Boy kind of way. The ability to study a stage, figure it out and execute it is satisfying, but not as satisfying as racing seconds ahead of some spinning blades, triggering the door switch and sliding to safety, heart pounding. Also – and now I am nitpicking – the PC version recommends you use a controller for optimum gameplay. Please, Escape Goat, Dark Souls REQUIRES a controller for optimum gameplay. You are a platformer with three actions and a d-pad; my keyboard will be just fine, thank you.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Pros:

  • Engaging, well-made puzzles
  • Doesn’t outstay it’s welcome
  • Great music
  • You get to play as a goat

Cons:

  • Not as challenging for veterans of the genre
  • Slow pacing

Escape Goat is out now and is available on Steam, and XBLA.

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