This lightning fast puzzle platformer features a cast of cadaverous cuties determined to defend their kingdom from space faring rats. Each of the Raskulls is based around a different theme (cop, solider, king, etc) and there is but a single woman amongst them. Perhaps Halfbrick were inspired by the work of a certain Belgian cartoonist? You’ll have the opportunity to play as a number of different Raskulls. However for all intents and purposes, each is identical.
Raskulls generally involves barrelling from left to right (and top to bottom) in a desperate attempt to beat up to three opponents to the end of the level. Scores of Tetris-like shapes bar your path and you’ll need to vaporise them with your wand in order to progress. Removing one section will often result in another tumbling down, so you’ll need to remain on your toes. If your timing is spot on, you’ll have the pleasure of watching a pursuing rival crushed beneath an avalanche of blocks. The strategic element of the game doesn’t end there as there are often multiple paths to the finish line.
The game also features a range of more traditional platforming elements. You’ll be running, jumping and using boost pads. You’ll be unleashing power-ups that allow you to turn invisible, stupefy your rivals or rapidly burn through multiple blocks. You’ll always be on the hunt for frenzy orbs, magical items that allow you to rocket through levels at a blistering pace. There are also a number of variations on the core racing them, including levels that require you to remain one step ahead of a deadly laser or complete a race without running out of frenzy. When played in short bursts, Raskulls is good, frantic fun. Only when you sit down for a longer session do the flaws begin to surface.
The majority of levels require you to reach the chequered flag as swiftly as possible. In order to do so, you’ll need to perform dozens of individual actions, including breaking through blocks, leaping over obstacles and activating special abilities. Before long, you’ll realise that you’re repeatedly pressing one or two buttons almost as rapidly as you can. You’ll often be called upon to swim through bodies of water, with each and every stroke demanding yet another button press. If you struggled to mash your way through Daley Thompson or Mario Party without plunging your hands into a bucket of ice, this isn’t the game for you.
Raskulls owes an obvious debt to Namco Bandai’s long running Mr. Driller series. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the numerous mine shaft levels that involve little more than a high speed descent. Not only do these involve an inordinate amount of the aforementioned button wailing, they are also by far the least inventive of the game’s trials.
For mine, Raskulls is at its best when it allows you to take your foot off the accelerator. Every so often, you’ll encounter a challenge that doesn’t involve racing against the clock or jostling for position. For instance, you may be tasked with lowering a mushroom from the peak of a level to its base by eliminating the blocks beneath it. Complicating matters is the requirement that the mushroom never fall more than three blocks at a time. Another inspired alternative challenges you to fashion groups of blocks into predetermined shapes. Sadly, these relaxing and imaginative variations are comparatively rare in a game heavily focused on speed.
While its barely animated cinematics are likely to divide opinion, the game is certainly not bereft of charm. The tone is established early, when a Raskull is ordered to safeguard an item merely because it is “important to the plot”. Later on, the villainous but terminally stupid rats attempt to infiltrate the kingdom while disguised as (you guessed it) rat themed Raskulls. The game also allows you to unlock a fake moustache. As someone with a limited capacity to grow facial hair, I appreciate the feature more than most.
Raskulls isn’t a long game. You’ll probably be done with the single player campaign in just a few hours. However, for the truly dedicated player, there are a handful of unlockable stages that will, due to their withering difficulty, substantially elongate the experience. The straightforward but enjoyable multiplayer races may also serve to extend your time with the game. These online or splitscreen challenges generally involve multiple lead changes and numerous special attacks. As with solo play, however, the need to pound your controller into submission may stifle your enthusiasm, particularly given that none of the more cerebral variants are available in multiplayer.
