Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a charming retro platformer developed by Deneos Games. It is designed to evoke nostalgia for the classic Game Boy era. Originally released in 2018, the game received a definitive edition in 2021, adding new features, quality-of-life improvements, and additional content. With its pixelated art style, catchy chiptune soundtrack, and challenging gameplay, Save Me Mr Tako pays homage to the golden age of handheld gaming while introducing a modern flair.

A Classic Platformer with Depth

At its core, Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a 2D platformer inspired by games like Kirby’s Dream Land and Super Mario Land. You play as Mr Tako, an octopus caught in a war between humans and octopi. The game weaves an engaging story as Mr Tako, who wishes for peace between the two factions, embarks on a journey to save the world from conflict. The narrative is surprisingly rich for a platformer, adding layers of emotional depth and character development that feel more complex than expected from a retro-inspired title. In that respect, it feels like an early Zelda game.  

The gameplay focuses on exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming challenges. Mr Tako’s ability to spit ink at enemies and temporarily turn them into platforms adds a unique twist to the genre. This mechanic introduces a strategic layer to the otherwise straightforward mechanics, as you must decide whether to neutralise enemies or use them to progress through levels. The ink mechanic works well in the context of puzzle-solving, as later levels introduce more intricate platforming challenges that require clever use of this ability.

You Might Need Saving From Save Me Mr Tako

However, the gameplay is not without its flaws. Some levels feel too repetitive, particularly in the earlier stages of the game, where the difficulty is relatively low. In the beginning, the lack of enemy variety can make it feel like you’re going through the motions until the game introduces more complex platforming sections. Fortunately, the definitive edition addresses these pacing issues by adding new difficulty options, rebalancing levels, and streamlining progression to keep players engaged, but it still isn’t perfect.

Regarding replay value, Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition offers a decent amount. Multiple endings depend on your choices throughout the story, encouraging players to revisit the game to explore alternate paths. Additionally, the game includes a host of side quests and optional challenges that provide additional rewards and help flesh out the world.

Save Me Mr Tako Is A Love Letter to the Game Boy Era

One of the standout aspects of Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is its visuals, which capture the essence of early 90s handheld gaming. The game features a monochrome pixel art style reminiscent of the original Game Boy’s four-colour palette. Every pixel feels deliberately placed to create a visually cohesive world that blends nostalgia with modern sensibilities. The environments are diverse, each location feeling distinct, with detailed backgrounds that add depth to the game’s world.

The game’s definitive edition also allows players to switch between different colour palettes, emphasising the Game Boy inspiration. This feature is more than a gimmick; it enables players to customise their experience, choosing between visual filters that best suit their preferences. Whether you want to play in classic greenish monochrome or more vibrant colour schemes, the game accommodates various aesthetic tastes.

The audio design in Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is equally impressive, with a chiptune soundtrack that perfectly complements the retro aesthetic. The music is catchy and varied, with different tracks accompanying each level and boss battle. While the melodies may not reach the iconic heights of Super Mario or Zelda, they still provide an enjoyable and immersive background to your adventure. Sound effects are equally retro, with satisfying bleeps and bloops that harken back to the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.

Despite the charming visuals and audio, the retro aesthetic may not appeal to everyone. Players unfamiliar with or uninterested in the Game Boy era may find the pixelated graphics and chiptune soundtrack a bit dated, even if they’re intentionally designed that way. However, Save Me Mr Tako is a visual and auditory treat for those who appreciate nostalgia.

A Mixed Bag of Accessibility and Challenge

The controls in Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition are simple and intuitive, making the game easy for newcomers and seasoned platformer fans to pick up. Mr Tako can move, jump, swim, and shoot ink, with each action feeling responsive and fluid. The platforming is tight, with precise jumping mechanics that require careful timing to navigate more challenging sections.

However, while the controls are easy to grasp, the game’s difficulty can sometimes be uneven. Early levels are relatively straightforward, with simple platforming challenges that don’t require much skill. However, as the game progresses, the difficulty ramps up significantly, with later levels introducing complex enemy patterns, tricky jumps, and puzzles demanding precise timing. Some players may find this difficulty spike frustrating, particularly if they want a more casual experience.

Fortunately, the definitive edition addresses some of these concerns by introducing new difficulty options. The original release was often criticised for its punishing difficulty, particularly in boss battles, where one mistake could mean restarting the entire encounter. The new version allows players to choose between easier and harder modes, catering to those who want a more relaxed experience and those seeking a hardcore challenge.

One area where the game struggles is in its checkpoint system. Some levels are long and unforgiving, with sparse checkpoints that can make it frustrating to replay difficult sections after dying. This can lead to moments of trial and error, which may be off-putting for some players. However, the sense of accomplishment after overcoming these challenges can be rewarding, particularly for those who enjoy difficult platformers.

Final Thoughts on Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition

Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a heartfelt tribute, offering a charming blend of nostalgic visuals, catchy music, and challenging gameplay. The game’s unique ink mechanic adds a layer of strategy to the platforming, while the story provides more depth than you might expect from a retro-inspired title. The definitive edition makes meaningful improvements, including new difficulty options, rebalanced levels, and additional content, making it a more accessible and polished experience than the original release.

However, the game is not without its flaws. The difficulty can feel uneven sometimes, and the pacing of the early levels may leave some players wanting more variety. Additionally, while charming for fans of the genre, the retro visuals and audio may not appeal to everyone.

Overall, Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a delightful platformer that successfully captures the essence of classic Game Boy games. It’s a must-play for retro gaming fans, though players unfamiliar with the era may find its appeal more limited. Save Me, Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is available now on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC.