Narita Boy Reviews
In that the look and feel isn't merely an exercise in style, but instead a vibrant emissive display of sights and sounds that leads to a world full of detail, silicon, and soul.
Narita Boy, the debut game from Studio Koba, is an excellent 80's inspired action-adventure game with heart. It is up to you to enter The Digital Kingdom and defeat the nefarious HIM and his Hackernauts with your radical Techno-Sword.
Narita Boy is visually stunning and packed with great ideas; but for everything it does right, you can see how it could’ve done better.
Narita Boy is a commendable effort for Studio Koba's first title with its gorgeous presentation and a gameplay that's kept fresh, although some aspects could evidently have been improved upon.
Many times, an NPC would tell me where to go or whom to seek out, and I would just chance upon my destination rather than know exactly where to go; the naming conventions at play don't do the game any favors. Still, I'm leaving Narita Boy behind happy that I spent time in his world, and both captivated and a little miffed by how his story turns out. But sometimes that's the mark of a tale worth hearing.
There’s no question that Narita Boy is epic. As though it jumped right out of an arcade machine from the 80s, it has exciting, fast-paced combat and some of the most beautiful pixel art that will ever grace your screen. Though the story is rather complex, it does nothing but help fuel the unique tone of the game. You might not understand exactly what’s going on, but when the action is this much fun, it doesn’t really matter.
Narita Boy brings back the 80s vibes while taking us on a journey through the weird and interesting Digital Kingdom. The battles may feel plain and the process may become repetitive, yet the experience is still enjoyable.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
It is not simple task to became hero of Digital Kingdom. Sometimes it is not even fun. But still worthy quest.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
With its retro graphics, music, emotional story that it tells from bottom to top, it is a game that brings the nostalgia of the 80s with its references interspersed from left to right.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Narita Boy is a true work of art in every sense. Its spectacular pixelart leaves us speechless at every moment, added to a fairly elaborate lore that puts us fully into the digital realm. The combat is very dynamic and frenetic and will test us in many moments. Overall, a work of high level
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Did you use to spend your time playin' at the arcades? Did you enjoy the music of the 80s with synths and neon lights? Narita Boy is an ode to those afternoos playing at the arcades with your friends while you are listening the hits on the radio. Narita Boy is a side-scrolling mystical techno-tale game, with a metroidvania 2D esence and renew system of combat. If you play it, you'll come back to the eighties and you'll enjoy like a child.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Narita Boy is a feat of imagination, one of the most conceptually interesting games I’ve ever played. The retro world of the Digital Kingdom – its pixelart, design and art direction – are some of the most eye-catchingly beautiful ever committed to code. Its soundtrack is mesmerising, truly special synthwave. Narita Boy ends up more than the sum of its parts, going beyond the source code to deliver a game that should take its place alongside the greatest indies.
Narita Boy bets on a unique setting and on basic plataform concepts to create a pleasant adventure. The combat is exciting with agile movements and a good variety of situations, especially in the bosses. The highlight is the exotic and elaborate atmosphere inspired by the 1980s: the mythology of the Digital Kingdom is carefully crafted, and the pixel art look enchants with scenarios and scenes full of details complemented by a synthwave soundtrack. The simplicity of elements and the underutilization of mechanics is a little uncomfortable, but the atmosphere is able to compensate for these problems. In the end, Narita Boy is for those who wish to be transported to a different reality.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Dive deep in this immersive 2D pixel-savvy world Studio Koba has created; just mind the controls.
By no means is Narita Boy a bad game, but it’s filled with way too many incoveniences that tarnish what could have easily been one of the best indie games of the year. It’s certainly enjoyable in its current state, not only as a stylish metroidvania game, but also as one hell of a synthwave treat to your ears. But its noticeable input lag, nonsensical plot, and most importantly, its overabundance of flashing lights got on my nerves pretty quickly.
Narita Boy is a linear action platformer. Narita Boy must recover the lost memories of the in-game “developer” to restore the Digital Kingdom to peace and harmony. Fight through hordes of enemies, meet interesting characters, and save the world in Narita Boy.
Narita Boy fully succeeds in being a great homage to pixel titles of the past yet brings so many great modern features with it.
Narita Boy is a remarkable adventure, mainly for its blessed and retro-futuristic graphic style, but Studio KOBA's lack of experience made the plot a little repetitive and tiring. Still, it's worth checking out Narita Boy, who should find his place among the successful independent games and receive a sequel in the years to come.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Narita Boy is a phenomenal game and one of the best games I've played in a long while. While it can often be a little too punishing and its platforming a little inconsistent, its incredible visuals, fluid combat and genuinely heartfelt narrative make up for it. It is a truly one of a kind experience and sets the bar rather high for those left to come.
Narita Boy has instant appeal with its gorgeous pixelated visuals and absolutely ‘80s-esque banging soundtrack. The ‘80s nostalgia, thankfully, isn’t all this game has to offer as the narrative is surprisingly emotive, and the lore of the Digital Kingdom is interesting, if not a little techno jargon-heavy. Swinging the Techno Sword and cutting through enemies is immensely satisfying and the challenge is spot on. Jumping mechanic aside, this is easily one of the most accomplished 2D pixelated action-platformers that I’ve played in recent years and I would highly recommend that you load up your Narita One console and become NARITA BOY!