Batu Ta Batu

Genre: Unlimited Pattern Puzzle

Players: 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen)

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Review:

Batu Ta Batu is an Unlimited Pattern Puzzle game where players shift around tiles of different colors, combining like-colored tiles and using this to accomplish different goals in the various unlockable game modes. This game was released on multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch in 2020.

The presentation here is simple but works well enough for what the game is doing – the flat colored tiles aren’t impressive in any way, although they do seem to slightly waver at times as if they’re made of liquid, which keeps things visually interesting. This effect is enhanced by the sound effects of splashing and sloshing as tiles are moved, combined, or eliminated. All of this is backed by a light rhythmic soundtrack led largely by acoustic guitar that ranges from good to annoying.

The gameplay itself starts with a simple premise – tiles can be moved in any direction so long as they’re equal to or greater than the tiles in that direction. If unimpeded, a tile will move the number of tiles equal to the width or height of the tile itself (depending on the direction it’s pushed. If it can form a larger complete square or rectangle with like-colored tiles adjacent to it, it will.

Using these simple rules, Batu Ta Batu explores a number of possible ways to use these mechanics, in ten unlockable game modes. There’s a classic Endless mode, where players push tiles to the side of the same color to clear them and must try to clear as many as possible before time expires, Full Grid, where players aim to make the entire screen one massive combined tile as fast as possible, Same Color Near, where players must group together tiles of the same color in as few groups as possible… suffice it to say, there’s a surprising amount of variety here, and Batu Ta Batu gets a lot of mileage out of its simple premise. Each of these modes is playable in 4-player competitive splitscreen mode too, so Puzzle game fans looking to throw down will have plenty to work with here.

As for complaints, some of the game modes here have rules that don’t quite make sense, and some are fiendishly difficult. In addition, this game feels like it’d be ideal for touchscreen controls, but unfortunately the touchscreen is not supported here. Also, while this game is definitely compelling, it’s not quite on par with the best games of the genre. Having said that… this is a $5 release, and it packs a lot of value in that $5, with tons of levels in each game mode to keep you busy for a long while. It also doesn’t hurt that the game’s simple pick-up-and-play gameplay makes it pretty ideal for the Nintendo Switch.

Batu Ta Batu is a delightful surprise of a Puzzle game, one that has a ton of content and variety, has some pretty compelling gameplay, and comes at a bargain bin price. There are definitely areas that could do with improvement, but overall I’d say this game is a must-have for Puzzle game fans, especially with its low asking price. If you’re a fan of the genre, do not miss it.

tl;dr – Batu Ta Batu is a Puzzle game that has players combining like-colored squares on a board to accomplish various goals in different game modes. Combining compelling gameplay, a lot of content, some good variety, and a low asking price, this game should be considered a must-have for Puzzle game fans on the Nintendo Switch.

Grade: B+

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