Shoe It All! is the latest in a long line of indie titles to hit the console and PC market. However, unlike many ridiculous attempts at originality, this hits the nail on the head. It is absurd, unusual, and great fun. Plus, you can enjoy it casually, so it’s a nice break from the norm.
Amberbite has developed this physics-based experience, and Bright Gambit has published it. It is a vibrant, in-your-face single-player title that is as funny as it is frustrating. Failure is almost certain, and I didn’t mind this. When things went wrong, and they often did, I chuckled. Accordingly, it is amusing even when you have to repeat one of the 65+ handcrafted levels.
Shoe It All! is a story of rebellion.
We’ve all been through that rebellious stage. The world is a daunting place, and it is easier to argue and fight than it is to conform. Although this can cause friction, it is nothing new, and the phase should pass. This is exactly what Shoe It All! is all about.
You play the role of Lace, a rebellious teenager who hates authority, expectations, and rules. Instead of bowing their head and getting on with it, they decide to kick out and destroy everything they see. Their weapon of choice is a shoe, and their method of attack is a swing. The combined efforts are spectacular, hilarious, and just a tad weird.
Simple ideas.
Shoe It All! is ridiculously simple even if the stage design, secrets, and goals are a little mysterious and complex. The hero is attached to their swing and power, and aiming is controlled by the trajectory of your seat’s movement. This requires a little planning, patience, and plenty of accuracy.
I can’t say I’m an expert in any of these fields, so it took me a while to smash every target and find every secret. Moreover, completing every task on each level was easier said than done. If you wish to complete every stage, you must use 1 shoe to destroy the goal. This should be obvious and easy, but it wasn’t. The objective isn’t always clear, so hurling shoes at random is a very common approach.
You may think, “That sounds stupid and annoying”. In theory, it should have been tiresome and problematic, but I adored it. The desire to find every breakable object and hit the ideal pace and trajectory was spectacular. Furthermore, the easy to pick up and put down mindset makes this wonderfully casual.
Shoe It All! looks great.
Each of the 65 handcrafted stages forms an array of unique puzzles with in-your-face pop art, striking colours, and clean lines. The key assets have a comic book edge, and the playful animation adds a jolly layer to the madness. As much of the world is destructible, each level evolves the more aggressive and accurate you are. This is great, as the shift in design and energy made it a joy to look at.
The audio fits the theme exceptionally well. There is a high-energy punk-rock soundtrack that reinforces the game’s anti-establishment appeal. The sound effects juxtapose this with their OTT nature and comical layers. The outcome is laughter with a destructive edge.
Excellent controls.
Shoe It All! is simple, and the control system makes it a walk in the park to play. You control the motion of the swing and when to release the shoe. Guidance is limited, so you must learn to trust your instincts and kick your footwear whenever your target is in sight. Although the accuracy elements may be tricky for younger gamers, they could play this with ease.
A speedrun option has been included to make gamers return. Additionally, there are stickers to collect if you wish to complete the game. This makes it addictive, especially when you consider the comfortable and casual nature of the action.
Shoe It All! is odd but fun.
I like it when a game goes out of its way to be somewhat strange. Sometimes this doesn’t work, but I enjoyed the strange nature of this title. Shoe It All! is easy to understand, great to play, and exceptionally vibrant. Moreover, it is original, loud, and perfect for short sessions. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you smash everything in sight? Pick your footwear, plan your swing, and show how rebellious you are.
