Ape Out

Genre: Top-Down Action

Players: 1

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Review:

Ape Out, at its core, is a simple top-down action game. You, as the ape, are simply trying to escape from the evil humans, with your only weapons being your ability to bash with your hands, grab things, and throw them. All it takes is one good slam to down anyone you run into, but the humans will swarm around you, using guns, grenades, and other weapons. Your one goal in any given level is to reach the exit, that’s it.

However, from that simple formula, the game manages to keep finding ways to make things interesting, throwing all sorts of fun twists and surprises in, always giving you some new challenge to overcome.

On top of this, the game’s audiovisual presentation is absolutely superb, depicting everything in a simple, elegant 3D using simple characters and a limited palette, and pairing the gameplay with a precussion jazz soundtrack that interacts with the action going on in the game, turning every smash of your fists, every bullet, every explosion, into a clash of the cymbals or a rat-a-tat on the drums.

This game is a fantastic example of focused and minimalist design. It’s as simple as they come, yet still manages to constantly keep things fresh. Currently, as I write this, it is only on the PC and Switch, and it may well be the best-kept secret on the Switch. This needs to change – definitely give it a try.

tl;dr – Ape Out is a fantastic action game that’s a hidden gem in the Switch’s game library. While the gameplay is a bit simplistic, the presentation is top-notch and makes this a fun, unique, and memorable experience.

Grade: A-

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2019 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: Best Sound Design, Best Action Game

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