What are the goals, obstacles, and rewards of the game?
The goal of the game is to reach the end of each level. Obstacles are roaming enemies and unexpected ambushes. The reward is that you get to unlock the next level. As well as the satisfaction of concurring the level.
How does the game play with expectations of the platformer video game genre?
Most platformer games show you the obstacles right of the back. They only mean to test players’ skills. In Syobon Action the game throws unexpected traps at you and expects players to replay the level over and over and eventually master the level.
What genre would you apply to this game?
I will say Syobon Action is a hardcore platform game.
What comment is the game making on video games in general? Is it making a comment or is it just a joke?
Syobon Action definitely has elements of humor. However, I don’t think it is a satire on anything. It has its own character and unique difficulty curve. I think it is a comment on action video games that tells video game developers a lesson that difficult games can be great fun.
At the end of the first level, halfway walking up to the stairs, 4 enemies will drop from the sky and walk toward you. ruining your day.
Right after that, the game throws another fact approaching yellow missile at you if you don’t jump quick enough you will be sent back to the start of the level. It really doesn’t want you to finish the level.
This game really goes beyond players’ expectations by allowing your enemy to utilizing your item so you can continue the level. It is funny and really does add some puzzle-solving into the mix.
