Woo, got to the next platform, an easy jump left to go…Darn it. Happenlance is an action/puzzle game available on Steam. Phillip Trudeau-Tavara developed and released it on the 22nd of October 2021. I couldn’t find many details about the developer. This title is the only one listed for this developer.
Happenlance Premise
The aim of the game is to use your lance to conquer the obstacles and make your way to the exit. A simple goal, but very difficult to pull off. I had to watch another person have a go, to get past the first level. You use the lance, like a pole vaulter. It can be very difficult to position it in a way that means you get to the next platform. There is a small sense of achievement when you do. If you’re not the type to put up with failing this isn’t the title for you.
I have to say that the first level is far harder than it should be. There are no checkpoints so if you fall then you have to make your way back. Tips are not present either. You’re stuck by yourself to figure out how to progress I took to YouTube to see how to complete the first level. Tips appear on the second level which feels late. The first level is where I expect most people to give up.
I wanted to give multiplayer a try, yet there was no one to play with at the time of the review.
Happenlance Presentation
The style feels like a mid-00s flash game. There is attention to detail so it wasn’t too blocky. But it isn’t beautiful. For a not-free game, I would at least expect the graphics to have a more premium feel. But, I wouldn’t say it was ugly either.
For the soundtrack, the developer has stuck to ambiance noises. Such as birds tweeting and leaves in the wind. I felt this was a great choice. It is hard enough to focus on not falling without an annoying soundtrack in the background. The ambient noises are high quality. It sounds like they recorded it in a forest.
Final Verdict
I always try to go into games with an open mind. But when the first level is an infuriating introduction to the mechanics of the game. It puts me off from progressing with the title. In the end, I watched someone play it online and suprised by their skill. The first game that they have developed, it is a great entry. I would love to see what they come up with next. I understand that I’m not the target audience. Even though I grew up with platformers I have moved on.
This has made it difficult to give a fair review of this game. I don’t think it’s a bad game, but a very difficult one. So I have given this title a 5 out of 10. If there had been more hand holding on the first level then it would have at least a 6.
