Thoth Reviews
The result of all its elements is a shooter that requires thought and planning, but Thoth won’t let you go light on the arcade reflexes, either.
Simple controls and mechanics are your best bet for solid gameplay, and Thoth delivers these on a silver platter.
THOTH is a blissfully difficult twin-stick shooter that challenges your reflexes and puzzle-solving skills on the fly. Never have 2D shapes been creepier.
While lacking in certain areas, THOTH remains a really fun game at a very affordable price. Pick it up.
Colorful, chaotic geometry simultaneous made me want to run to the hills and try "just one more time" when playing through Thoth. Excellently polished game that deserves a spot on everyone's Nintendo Switch without a doubt.
THOTH by Carlsen Games is a geometrical twin stick shooter with an attitude. With a kaleidoscope of killer shapes impeding your progression, twin stick fans will find THOTH a worthy adversary. Despite a few design decisions meant to extend the speed of completion, like checkpoints only available every few levels, and increased difficulty of levels upon death, THOTH still manages to provide an enjoyable experience.
All in all, this is a game that is trying to set itself apart from the classic conventions of the genres it is placed in, and while it is an interesting experience, I think it follows too many of those old-school mechanics that were made to eat up your coins, not give you a pleasant time.
Thoth’s main addition to the twin-stick shooter is its constant intimidation tactics. The short segments you set out to beat—64 in all—keep you aghast constantly, and you’ll learn quickly that even when things look peaceful it can mean that something deadly hasn’t shown itself to you yet. Silence is just an opportunity for a bomb to go off.
THOTH seems almost upset you've come to see what lies in its depths. While it excels at creating tension and feelings of uneasiness, it occasionally feels like it was left unfinished on purpose, like it was meant to make you feel abandoned upon. This may be enough to turn away a lot of players, but still it's hard to match the feeling of dread as an empty vessel of your former foe hunts you down faster and harder than before. Non-shmups fans should pass by this gem, but be forewarned, because it seems at times, THOTH can't wait to see you fail.
Old-school shooter fans who are looking for a challenge will find a lot to love in the stylish and enjoyable Thoth.
When it comes to shooters minimalist looks can work nicely, but with quite a number of budget shooters already in that vein on Switch it can be hard to make an impression...
However, the game is still very basic and doesn’t feel offer much that wowed me over compared to the many other twin stick games I’ve played. Combine that with the infuriating fact that if you so much as try to pause, you’ll get booted to the level select menu, and you have a decent shooter that isn’t anything special, but is still a fun ride as it lasts, and definitely a good local co-op afternoon.
THOTH is neither bloated nor even comfortably full. It is an exercise in restraint in every possible way, from its visual design to its length of less than a movie, to its soundtrack which dips in and out as if just checking in on how you’re doing. What THOTH is not is hollow.
Thoth is a refreshing change of pace and an enjoyable shooter.