Wakusei

Genre: Puzzle

Players: 1

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Review:

Wakusei is a family-friendly physics-based Puzzle game released on Nintendo Switch in 2024 where players drop planets into a 360-degree gravity well, trying to make two planets of the same kind touch, causing them to combine and transform into a larger planets. If this sounds familiar, it is because this premise and gameplay formula is very similar to Suika Game. However, the 360-degree gravity well thing is something that sets this game apart from its clear inspiration, naturally leading to the questions of whether this is enough to set Wakusei apart in its own right, and whether this change is an improvement.

To answer the first question… sorta’? Honestly, it’s not hard to see the Suika Game roots here, even with this change. Having said that, taking Suika game out of a well or bucket does make the strategy here significantly different and honestly, yes, I do think this is an improvement over Suika Game, because I feel it cuts down on the randomness the physics insert into the gameplay in the early game, and then when things start to careen out of control with more crazy-shaped planets, it makes for some really interesting and unusual physics.

It’s not just the gameplay that’s different here though – Wakusei also has numerous gameplay modes and options that you can unlock as you play. You can unlock comet power-ups that appear as you play, allowing you to directly insert planets where you want instead of dropping them, or blast away troublesome planets. You can unlock upgrades that give you a wider area to work with or point bonuses. And you can unlock game modes where objects don’t get pulled straight down, but get spun into orbit, or a game mode using the classic Suika Game well.

The presentation here is pretty good too, making use of 2D pixel art visuals with nice animation showing each of the planets spinning with its atmosphere swirling around, making the planets all look lively. This is joined by really catchy synthesized background music, though unfortunately I don’t have a sample to link to.

Probably my biggest complaint here is that I wish this game went even farther with its gameplay modes and unlockable features. A multiplayer mode would be nice, or different visualizations, or a puzzle or goal-based mode, or even more different game types. As it is, you’ll see most of what this game has to offer within a few hours. Given the game’s price just over $5, I suppose this still isn’t very bad, but I do feel like this had potential to be even better.

Still, even with the missed potential, I was still surprised and delighted by Wakusei. It’s the first Suika Game copycat that I’ve played that actually brings something new and interesting to the table, to the point where I’d rather play this than Suika Game. It’s still lacking features and options I’d like to see here, but for a little over $5 I think this game mostly be forgiven. Puzzle Game fans who haven’t already grown sick of Suika Game and its clones should definitely give this a look!

tl;dr – Wakusei is a family-friendly physics-based Puzzle game where players drop planets into a gravity well hoping to get planets of the same kind to touch each other, combining into bigger planets. This game is clearly copying Suika Game’s formula, but the gravity well mechanic actually adds something new and interesting into the mix, and there are a decent number of unlockable options and features, though I wish there were even more. Still, for only a little over $5, this is a solid Puzzle game, and one I actually prefer over Suika Game.

Grade: B-

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