Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails Reviews
Scram Kitty and His Buddy On Rails is a wonderfully idiosyncratic creation that, despite its smorgasbord of influences, feels like nothing else. It's also a game that ignores current design fashions: there is no overarching list of achievements, there are no sideshow systems or alternative stages to upset its rhythms, no adornments to distract from the core task. For some, the lack of variety combined with the stiff challenge will be too much. (Even for competent players, this is a game that requires such a degree of concentration that it's best played in short bursts.) For others, the steepness of the initial learning curve will throw them from the rails before they get anywhere. But for those who master its controls, there is glorious opportunity for showboating play; it's a game built with admirable craft and singular focus, and it richly rewards your investment.
At $10, Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails is a solid buy if you love retro gaming and have an affinity for slightly strange game concepts. This shooter/platformer/collect-a-thon is a lot of fun, even if its mechanics take some time to get used to.
While it's probably not a top tier download title, Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is still an entertaining and fun game, with big, challenging levels and have plenty to do. Being able to go to pretty much any level you want, as well as not necessarily having to save all cats in one go are nice positives, but because of several unfair situations, some awkward control setup issues and one instance where we got stuck, we would warn prospective buyers to be slightly cautious. At least two of those issues can be easily fixed with potential updates, however, which we'd hope are in the works. It's certainly worth consideration due to its positives, but doesn't quite sink its claws into the player.
Kitties have claws, and kitties scratch. Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails certainly does this through its difficulty and unique controls. Yet cats also have a unique trait: for all their peculiar habits, their demanding nature and their tendency to puke in the hallway overnight, they're inescapably lovable because of what they are. Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails, with its strange design and riveting gameplay, echoes this side of the feline personality, too. Captivating stuff.
A fantastic new arcade game in the best traditions of Treasure, that takes plenty of inspiration from older classics but has just as many new ideas of its own.
As I sit hear wondering how to wrap up this review, a definite thought crosses my mind. If you want to have a lovely gaming experience where you get fluffy kitties for free, plug Animal Crossing back into your 3DS; however, If you want to yell, spit, grow chest hair and really EARN your fluffy kitties, buy Scram Kitty and His Rail Buddies, as the game is surprisingly addictive as it is rage inducing and fun all at the same time.
Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is more than a throwback to the 16-bit era, it's an action-packed challenge on rails, guaranteed to keep the most demanding players closely around its simple, yet demanding concept. The jumping mechanics could use a more accessible learning curve, but anyone who plays this will have their entertainment needs properly fulfilled.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Scram Kitty and His Buddy On Rails is addictive, pick-up-and-play fun. It can get frustrating, but in a time when so many games keep trying to be both more complicated and similar to others, it is a refreshing change.
Treasure-like in its level of sheer ingenuity, Dakko Dakko's Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is the sort of addictive shooter that is a must-own for Wii U owners and belies its initially brief appearance in the length stakes. Not exactly short to start with - thanks to the difficulty stakes - it is the draw of coming back to better times in the Challenge mode or uncovering every hidden kitty on each stage that brings considerable added value to what is already a bargain at just £8.99 / €9.99.
Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails is quite an engaging game, but you need to learn it to fully understand it. Not everyone will be willing to do that as you need a steady hand to complete the many challenges it offers. Once the gameplay clicks though, you can bask in the brilliant level designs and lovely presentation. Scram Kitty is an amazing, stressful rollercoaster that comes together incredibly well.
Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is a truly original game that obviously required a great deal of thought, passion and creativity, something I really don't get to say nearly enough.
Scram Kitty is a game that shrugs off modern-day descriptors. It's not a throwback. It's not an open world. It's not a roguelike. There are no QTEs. No pixellated faux-8-bit art. Everything's slick and beautiful in some weird, Neo-Hanna Barbara future world of space cats and perpetual sunsets.
Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails is one of the more difficult games on the Wii U system so far. The level designs are devious, and the many restrictions on your spacecraft only increase the challenge. The difficulty curve is rather steep early on, especially given some of the requirements for rescuing cats and the high barriers of entry for each level. Despite this, the basic mechanics are quirky enough to get your attention, and the simplicity is enough to pull you in and tempt you with one more go. Those who frustrate easily should avoid this title unless they really want to risk damaging their GamePads, but for those who love a good challenge, this title is worth checking out.