Planet Rix-13 Nintendo Switch | Review

By Seb Hawden
| 5th January 2019
| Review, Switch
| 0

Sometimes good things come in small packages, sometimes I like to play short and relaxing games between big releases. It’s nice to not have to bother about a massive sprawling open world with six gazillion quest markers or trudge through a long open-ended branching storyline. This is the space where Planet Rix-13 sits, it’s a very short game that can be finished in one sitting and that’s fine, it was a nice change of pace in between the titles I am also finishing up.

Planet Rix-13 is a 2D classic style adventure game and it reminds me of a lot of games I played growing up as a kid, not too taxing but very enjoyable. You are the pilot of an exploration ship and while you are scanning unexplored planets you lose control of your vessel, crash land on what you think is an uninhabited planet and quickly realize there is more to this world than meets the eye. You are quickly thrown into an adventure that involves puzzles, collecting and deciphering notes to enable yourself to solve what happened on this planet, to survive and hopefully escape.

Most of the game involves walking around various locales on the planet and collecting items and notes left by the previous inhabitants. You move between locales by the way of a simple map feature, which is expanded by completing various tasks and reading notes and computer logs throughout the game. You are presented with simple puzzles and tasks to get into new areas and progress your adventure further, nothing is too hard but you will have to use your brain now and again to progress. It’s all very nicely paced and flows smoothly, it can be completed in one sitting and took me well under an hour to complete on my first attempt.

The art style in Planet Rix-13, while simple is very pleasant. It’s clean, crisp and adds to the classic feeling this title portrays the whole time your playing it. Everything from the font to the sound design feels like it was made for a video game system from 20 years ago. It’s nice to play something simple, fun and something that does not overstay it’s welcome.

This title performed perfectly over my entire playthrough. I would be shocked though if this was not the case, the whole package should not be very taxing on any system with its basic graphics and sound. That being said, it was a flawless performing game with zero crashes, zero framerate issues and it was a joy to play.

Final Impressions

Even though the game is very short, it’s fun, not too taxing and can be completed in one sitting. There is a place in the market for games like this, games that you do not have to think too much about, games that can be played in between your big all-encompassing triple-A releases. You can play it whilst watching TV or when you’re doing other things and it suited the pickup and play style of the Nintendo Switch. The puzzles require you to think a little bit but are quite easy and flow nicely through the game. I played the game on the Nintendo Switch but I know trophy hunters will enjoy this game on the PlayStation as it’s a very easy platinum. If you would like a short old-school adventure game, a chilled out easy experience or some easy trophies then this is the game for you. I definitely enjoyed my time with the game and will purchase the title when it releases on the PlayStation 4 to see the other ending and get some trophies. As long as the price is not too high then this title should be worth your time.

*Code kindly provided by the publisher for review*

Developer: Sometimes You / Publisher: Sometimes You
Release date: 16/01/2018
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Platform Reviewed on: Nintendo Switch