LBR received an Xbox review copy of Go! Go! Mister Chickums from The IndiEXP to review this game.
Go! Go! Mister Chickums is a nostalgic 2D platformer from indie developer and publisher com8com1 Software. It harkens back to classic arcade hits with swift, single-screen gameplay. The game supports both single player and couch co-op, surprisingly!
In Go! Go! Mister Chickums, the titular hero must rescue their eggs from the evil Grabbo. You’ll explore a series of different worlds, avoiding their various enemies and navigating new layouts. In each stage, you’ll have to recover all of the eggs, and deliver them to a nest before time runs out.
Go! Go! Mister Chickums will be available on PC via Steam and consoles later this week on April 2. Here’s a look at some gameplay from the official release date announcement trailer:
Go! Go! Mister Chickums is an energetic, streamlined platformer that carefully navigates nostalgic charm with success. You’ll hit the ground running, and the game refuses to slow down or explain anything—that is, in a fun way.
Chickums keeps a great pace by consistently changing the context of your objective. True, it doesn’t offer much variety in your goal, like so many retro games. That may disappoint some, and recovering eggs does lose some of its novelty over time, especially with so many levels.
But! The worlds move quickly overall, introducing unique new enemies and stage quirks. Even some familiar ideas feel fresh by incorporating your central goal.
Also, the physics of the eggs and how they interact with the stage design is superb. Egg weight affects your jump, and you can angle your throws to unexpected results!
The character design underwhelmed me at times, but it’s very joyous. Mister Chickums stands out the most to me, and that goes a long way.
Go! Go! Mister Chickums is challenging enough, giving me plenty of fun little moments of panic. Still, it is as friendly as it looks! I enjoyed that the evil Grabbo appears as your timer runs out, ramping up delightful tension instead of simply punishing you.
The controls are pretty smooth and intuitive on console, and you can often strategize your way through obstacles. This is more inviting than precision platforming, which is usually best for experienced fans of the genre. There are also continues, letting you learn from your mistakes.
The settings also offer the flexibility to exchange retro immersion for clearer visuals. It’s a very convenient feature for accessibility—and my ancient millennial eyes. In general, it cleans up the chaos to concentrate on gameplay, helpful for such busy single screens.
I do wish Chickums included a level select, and multiple save states, right from the onset. This would be a great way to practice, enjoy favorite stages, and invite co-op partners at a comfortable level without losing progress.
The couch co-op gameplay is surprisingly balanced. Players can actually pass eggs to each other, and coordinate against bosses. However, the screen becomes busier, and there is friendly stomping, so your partner is occasionally an obstacle too.
Final Thoughts
Go! Go! Mister Chickums is a spirited homage with slick and entertaining physics, strong pacing, and clever stage design. It’s missing a few technical features that I’d prefer, and the central premise wears thin over time. Still! In a crowded space, this indie is a highlight, and it captures an era the way you hope it will.
Score: 8 / 10
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