HackyZack is a puzzle platformer that is all about kicking various types of balls into a goal. Sounds simple, right? Well think again. Though the premise is simple the execution is not so much. We know very little about Zack and why he’s kicking these balls around and, to be honest, that’s okay. A game like this doesn’t need some grand story to explain why he is doing what he is doing you just need to dive in and experience it.
Gameplay
HackyZack brings back tons of memories to anyone who went to high school, especially in the 90s. How many times did you stand around after school and pass the sack around with your friends as you all waited for the bus. Zack is a lot like that. His goal is to kick the ball from point A to point B without losing the ball or meeting an untimely doom himself. There are very few controls in HackyZack. Jumping and kicking will be how you spend most of your time with the game and finding the right time to do both will be key.
Zack can move in any direction and likewise kick the ball in each of those directions as well. Sometimes he’ll need to kick the ball, jump, and then kick the ball again to reach the next platform and move throughout the level. It becomes an interesting blend of old school platforming. This kicking mechanic will have you pulling your hair out at times and, at other times, feeling complete elation as you finally get that blasted ball where it was supposed to land. The controls work for the most part, but moving Zack and directing the ball are done with the same control stick. It often becomes frustrating when you’re trying to find the right angle to kick the ball and at the last second when you go to kick, Zack falls to his death because you pushed harder on the directional stick then you meant. When it works, it works and feels great – but quite often you’ll find yourself frustrated as you repeat yet another level due to this.
Like anything, though practice makes perfect and after multiple runs of trial and error you’ll find just how when, what direction, and just how hard you’ll need to kick the ball to reach the goal and move on to the next level. With over 100 levels spread over 6 different worlds you’ll rarely feel like you’re playing the same level twice. Each world is more challenging than the next and you’ll need everything that you learned in the previous worlds to get by. Adding an extra challenge to each level are stickers that you can hit which give you different power up bonuses to help you complete each level. Add that to the various types of balls you’ll be hitting and you’ll have a ton of variety as you play through the game.
The game also includes a target mode which is basically what it sounds like. You use the ball to break all the targets or diamonds in each level as quickly as you can.
The Switch version even includes local multiplayer, so you and a friend can kick the ball around just like you did when you were younger… just not for real… and with more obstacles, but you get the point. You can play with a friend.
Graphics and Sound
Like we mentioned earlier, HackyZack has a retro feel to it not only in game-play but graphically as well. Visually you could line the game up next to the Super Nintendo or Game Boy Advance line up and it would fit right in. You can tell the developers (or lack thereof) the game is probably better for it.
The music is relaxing and really does a good job of trying to help you forget how challenging the game really is. It’s the level of difficulty that will probably keep you from coming back (if anything does) and the music helps to diminish the pain of your insurmountable defeat. You’ll want to pause from time to time and let the music soothe you as you prepare for your next foray to kick that darn ball to the goal.
Recommendation
HackyZack is a challenging retro-ish affair that will speak to fans from the 16-bit era or so. If you enjoy challenging platformers, this game is for you. The Switch really helps you get the most out of the game since you can play with a friend as well. With a ton of indie games being made these days, a lot of them tend to feel similar and that can’t be said for HackyZack. The game is unlike anything else we’ve played and that at least should make you look at it.
*HackyZack was provided to the reviewer by the publishing company but this fact did not alter the reviewer’s opinion*
Check out our Review Guide to see what we criteria we use to score games.
