If you like platformers, movement-focused games, or 5th/6th gen aesthetics, you need to play this NOW

I can confidently say this is my favorite platformer moveset ever. Everything from your basic jump, to wallrunning, to sand shredding, all feels incredible. Momentum is key in this game. Tacklebox definitely has a relatively "heavy" feel to it, and I've seen some people say that the gravity feels a bit overtuned but I personally feel it's one of this game's biggest strengths. It's a different feel for a game like this. Not bad, just different. There's definitely a learning curve, but once you get it down you'll be absolutely flying through these levels.

I will say game does kinda throw a lot at you right from the start. The tutorial takes the form of a contained sandbox with signs instructing you on the various techniques you'll be utilizing on the plateau. Unfortunately, this does not feel natural at all. I'm sure the final game will have more organic tutorialization, and considering this was originally intended as a way to get the game into kickstarter backers' hands I'm absolutely willing to excuse it, but unfortunately I don't think it makes the greatest first impression.

After the tutorial, the game takes on an open world structure, with each "level" being a new ruin dotting the barren landscape of the plateau. There's almost no progression gating here. You can start wherever you like. The only exception is the final level, which is a reward for collecting every coin and fish on the plateau. Exploration is such a joy. Seeing some far off structure looming in the distance and wondering what waits in secret there is such an intoxicating feeling. Each level introduces its own twist. Gimmicks sometimes reappear in other levels to spice things up.

I have one more little bit of feedback. Certain platforming sections are particularly tedious because of a lack of shortcuts/checkpoints. Falling off a tall structure and having to climb the entire thing again just to get back to that one spot is particularly frustrating. This didn't happen particularly often, but during my first playthrough there were one or two times where I put the game down because I lost patience. I'd love to see if this is potentially addressed in the final game.

All in all, Tacklebox makes me very optimistic for the final release. I was already intrigued by the initial kickstarter trailer, but Tacklebox has made me a diehard fan. I haven't even mentioned just how much content is in here. It's ridiculous that this is FREE. It's practically a whole game on it's own.

The final game is going to be something really special, and I can't wait :)