Super Crush KO
Vertex Pop created one of the best indy Switch launch titles a couple of years ago: Graceful Explosion Machine. It was a colorful rapid-fire space shoot-um-up that tested players reflexes and put Vertex Pop on the map.
Over the last three years a lot has changed. The Nintendo Eshop is flooded with software and it seems every indy studio on the globe is trying to be the next Switch darling. Enter Super Crush KO Vertex Pop’s newest game looking to make waves and take a coveted spot on the Eshops best sellers list.
The story is a typical John Wick/Taken B-movie action plot; a villan breaks into your home unannounced, how rude, absconds with your darling cat Cubbs and threatens to cuddle him until they become best friends. What else is there to do but punch, kick, and shoot your way through hordes of mechanical assens to rescue him?
The answer, it turns out, is not much. Super Crush KO is delightfully simple to play. You can dash, attack, and shoot. That’s really all there is to do. But once you throw in some super attacks and combos the action heats up and it becomes a joy to play. A bit stale after a few hours, granted, but the games succinct story mode doesn’t overstay its welcome and kept my attention for the entire stent.
After the main story is completed and you’ve witnessed the charming reunion of cat and protagonist there’s still plenty to do in Super Crush KO but it’s not for the faint of heart. In true score-chasing fashion, each level ends with a score, with S rank being the best. Those scores are posted to Vertex Pop’s servers allowing players to compete for leaderboard bragging rights.
Personally I’m not very interested in breaking records but I am interested in good art direction and Super Crush KO has that in spades. The color pallet is filled with bright neon-pastelles. Enemy designs are on par but nothing spectacular which is fine by me as it makes it easier to focus on the action. My only real complaint is that enemy fire doesn’t always stand out in the heat of battle so it can be difficult to notice, and by extension dodge. Even though I sometimes felt I took damage somewhat unfairly it didn’t stop my enjoyment of the game.
It took me around 3 hours to finish Super Crush KO and I thought that was a good length. It didn’t overstay its welcome but it also isn’t something I’d necessarily want to sink much more time into. If you’re into side scrolling shoot-em-ups or fast-paced action you’ll enjoy Super Crush KO and I’d recommend looking into it. I certainly enjoyed it a heck of a lot. But that’s with the disclaimer that I got a review code for free. At $15 bucks it not a steep price but might give those wanting dozens of hours of gameplay pause.
As always, a special thanks to the publisher and developer for the review code that made this review possible.