My favorite thing about ElectroMaster is the protagonist, an hyperactive girl who is relentless in her attacks against her opponents, and she destroys with electricity. It’s your thumb what activates the laser attacks, but it’s SO difficult. I’ve never been able to get past three levels. No problem though, since the second thing I enjoy the most is the music. It’s so boss-like and funny, so HER. So I don’t mind losing just to listen to this funny music that I wonder if Yuichi composed as well.
Taking a look at his Instagram, it’s nice to notice the effort he puts into the design of his characters. He’s a notebook and pencil designer as you can see his sketches here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/bbSNJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=2ca95aed-ce6f-4dd7-bedc-65c3681a61e9
Also check the first sketches of the ElectroMaster girl. She’s not exactly kawaii, neither punk. Just a regular blue-haired with two ponytails girl on a mission:
https://www.instagram.com/p/entAL/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3a0adb90-b234-4a43-8884-57222cb7f731
So let’s get into the review:
Graphic Art and Character and Environment Design: As stated, Yuichi is a guy who sketches on notebooks, very old-style, and keeps on building up until the finished product, which is a compact-cute- immediately distinguishable and memorable character. Her redhead opponents are equally well designed and funny (why redheads?). The levels vary with color: from green fields (parks?) to corn-orange ones, and I’ve yet to see a subterranean setting. They’re all detailed 8 bit environments, most probably designed in Photoshop. So cute you’ll want them as wallpapers.
Sound and Music: This is a win-win combo. The music is energetic, “electric” and perfectly enhances the protagonist’s rushy temperament. The sounds of failure get me every time and they’re funny AH. I’ve yet to hear accomplishment sounds from advanced levels. The basic ones are motivating enough to keep you going.
Let’s go to the problematic aspects of the game.
User Experience (UX):
Controls. The thumb as your only weapon makes everything harder. I have small hands, but even my small thumb is too chubby to be precise and that’s one of the reasons I have such a bad aim at destroying the redheads. I keep failing because I have a chubby thumb, and I’ve read reviews from guys with ever bigger hands who really want to get into combat mode, but the thumb is simply not a good tool. I don’t know if this game can be played with an e- pencil.
Gameplay: As stated above, the storytelling is engaging and FUN. But for sure this is for the retro-gaming market, so don’t expect more sophistication. The game delivers.
Progression: Hard to say how easy it feels from level to level as I keep failing. I do think the second level is too hard, with a swarm of opponents everywhere.
Monetization: Big no. The ads are too long and distracting, but that’s what you get for a free game. I’ve yet to try the paid version.
Accessibility: I’ve only played this on a phone. So the size is small and the retro lettering hard to read. Perhaps on a tablet the UX will be enhanced. I’ve yet to try this.
Check out my routine failure at ElectroMaster. BTW, this is the game that made me get into game development! So it’s very dear to me.
https://youtu.be/S0LlzB1p6uA?si=4UIp_o2Nf_brTJP8
Check out more about ElectroMaster:
Designer’s YT channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQQqMBv_OqnQveIn30LXYdA
https://www.instagram.com/xionchannel/
https://twitter.com/ajinotataki
