David Bridges
We have officially reached the exciting conclusion of Playdate Season Two, and what an incredible journey it has been. Although this season featured half the number of titles compared to Season One, the latest series of weekly game releases has made a significantly stronger impact, particularly for myself. One of the standout aspects of this season has been the opportunity to experience new games in real time alongside other Playdate owners, an experience that the staggered rollout of the console during the first season did not provide. Ahead of the final release, the team at Panic shared that Season Two has successfully sold 12,000 units.
This season wraps up on a high note with the releases of Taria & Como and Black Hole Havoc. The former is an emotional physics-based platformer, while the latter offers an exciting action-puzzle experience where players blast black holes using more black holes. While the weekly game releases may have concluded, we still have several weeks ahead filled with fresh Blippo+ content to keep us entertained, not to mention the reruns that will follow once everything wraps up.
Explore the Emotional Journey of Taria & Como
Taria & Como would undoubtedly resonate with players regardless of when it is released; however, during a time in the US where families face forced separation and access to sufficient healthcare is jeopardized for millions, the game’s themes strike a particularly poignant chord. The gameplay of this puzzle platformer is relatively relaxed, but the emotional journey it leads players on is genuinely moving and impactful.
In the game, you step into the shoes of Taria, a girl whose parents have been abducted by the authoritarian medtech company Toxtum Inc. Taria utilizes various mobility aids for navigation, including a prosthetic leg that allows her to jump and a flying health robot named Kit, which has a tether enabling her to swing. However, after a catastrophic event, Taria awakens in a Toxtum facility only to discover that her younger sister Como has vanished, her prosthetic leg has been replaced with a non-jumping Toxtum-approved design, and her healthbot has been swapped out for one programmed to restrict her freedom. This sets the stage for Taria’s determined quest to find her sister, no matter the cost.
There are numerous aspects to appreciate about this game, but one amusing element at the beginning deserves special mention: an unexpected folder in Kit’s files labeled “Ferrets.” Within that folder are two delightful pictures of ferrets wearing bonnets. As a longtime ferret enthusiast, I can only respond with a resounding hell yeah. Beyond this charm, Taria & Como offers an enriching experience from start to finish. Each chapter is preceded by a beautifully illustrated crank-to-scroll comic that propels the story forward, and the game’s innovative mechanics create a compelling gameplay experience that captivated me.
Since Taria is unable to jump after the disaster, the majority of the game involves swinging and engaging in comical banter with the new, less-than-friendly healthbot. Navigating the environment requires thoughtful planning, as the platforms Taria can utilize are often separated by walls and other barriers, with certain surfaces being unsafe for landing. Players use the crank to aim the bot at a grabbing point, with the ability to crank forward or backward to pull Taria closer or farther away. Swinging left and right builds momentum, enabling players to launch themselves across larger gaps, and players can even kick off walls to gain extra height. I found this mechanic to be incredibly enjoyable, as it encouraged me to slow down and think more strategically about my movements.
As Taria progresses through her adventure, she collects pieces from Como’s diary, along with Toxtum files and codes that can be used to hijack the healthbot to her advantage. Accessing these files is one of my favorite components of the game. Scattered throughout the map are kiosks that each contain a unique minigame featuring a turtle in a top hat. Players must crank to make the turtle dance — and crank really fast so it can’t keep up, thereby glitching out the system and granting access to the files. I was perhaps overly excited the first time I stumbled upon this feature, and I continued to enjoy it every time I encountered it thereafter.
Throughout her journey, Taria encounters various individuals who have also suffered due to the systemic failures of the healthcare system: a person unable to obtain necessary medication because it isn’t “company-approved,” someone waiting indefinitely for their wheelchair, and more. Meanwhile, the healthbot consistently belittles Taria with painfully infantilizing language. The commentary on these issues is quite evident, and as someone who has personally faced challenges with the healthcare system throughout my life while managing chronic illnesses, I found this aspect particularly relatable and appreciated.
Despite a few hiccups during my playthrough, such as noticeable lag during chapter transitions that made me briefly worry about crashes, and my Playdate occasionally failing to respond correctly to certain actions, my overall enjoyment of the game was not significantly affected. For instance, to survey Taria’s environment, players must dock the crank, which can feel disruptive, often prompting me to launch Taria into the unknown to explore instead. On multiple occasions, my Playdate would not register that I had docked the crank, particularly toward the game’s conclusion, requiring me to repeatedly dock and undock until it finally worked.
Ultimately, these minor issues did not diminish my enjoyment of the game; Taria & Como has certainly become one of my favorites this season. It tells a beautiful story, and its release couldn’t have been more timely.
Experience the Thrilling Action of Black Hole Havoc
My years of playing the Neopets game Faerie Bubbles have thoroughly prepared me for the exhilarating experience that is Black Hole Havoc.
The premise of Black Hole Havoc is straightforward and easily understood from the title — black holes are emerging everywhere, posing a significant threat to civilization, and it is your mission to stop them. Fortunately, you and your partner are equipped with the necessary tools to create your own black holes, which you can fire from a cannon to counteract the menacing black holes threatening your existence. However, it’s essential to ensure that the sizes of your black holes match those of your targets; otherwise, they won’t effectively eliminate the threats. You aim using the D-pad and pump with the crank (or A/B buttons) to adjust the size of your black holes before launching them into action. If you strike a black hole with one of the incorrect size, you will take damage, adding a layer of challenge.
At first glance, the gameplay seems relatively simple. The initial levels provide aim assistance, giving players a clear visual cue regarding the path and size of their black holes. However, as you progress, you are left to your own devices to accurately line everything up (though aim assist can be toggled back on through the settings if needed). As you advance, more obstacles arise, including an increasing number of black holes; space tourists appear to obstruct your shots; ceilings collapse, forcing black holes down onto you; blocks of ice deflect black holes back at you; and even bizarre giant bugs. The gameplay escalates from a relaxed pace to a chaotic frenzy quite rapidly.
The Story Mode is engaging, featuring 80 levels and entertaining cutscenes (which you can skip if you’re pressed for time, but they’re genuinely worth watching) that introduce the new areas you need to conquer. While the prospect of 80 levels sounds daunting, I found myself breezing through them and reaching the 40th level before I even realized it. Many games this season have proven to be highly addictive, but Black Hole Havoc stands out as the most captivating for me; it checks all the right boxes for a thrilling gaming experience. Additionally, there is an Arcade Mode available for those who wish to jump right in and chase high scores.
The art direction, animations, and music all contribute to the immersive experience, showcasing the exceptional work done by the developer, Cosmic Bros. Wrapping up Season Two with such a spectacular game is truly a fitting way to conclude a fantastic gaming season.
Brandon Fletcher
