Review of Duck Souls: Not exactly a stroll in the park

Our Verdict

Duck Souls is an infuriatingly fun experience that takes you back to the good old days of the action platformer, though it’s controls are somewhat frustrating

I love harsh encounters where I have to utilise trial and error to get over obstacles since I'm an avid player of Dark Souls. Duck Souls undoubtedly fits that description. Given the charming visual approach, it's almost shocking how hard it is. As you play as a duck in this platforming adventure, you will repeatedly get brutalised.

There are, in fact, two levels of difficulty: casual and hard. However, I contend that casual is really harder than hard. Of course, those who like classic platforming will find the difficulties appealing. It's almost like a badge of pride to finish Ghosts & Goblins, and Duck Souls seems to strive for the same thrills.

The goal of the game is to simply go over a number of platforms in order to reach the conclusion of each level. It seems simple enough, and it may be if there weren't spikes in the way that cause you to stop running after only one hit. Duck Souls makes you use your imagination. Usually, the most apparent path of action is the one that ends up killing you. Climb, run, and jump your way to the top. You merely need to figure out the movement's sequence.

Playing the game requires patience since you will die a lot. When the controls function as intended, that's OK, but that's not always the case. They simply don't seem very exact; sometimes, it seems like an impossible chore to merely jump from one ledge to another. You accidentally step on the jump button and tumble down the edge without any fault of your own. It's rather annoying stuff.

Duck Souls is attractive, nonetheless, with its pixelated, vivid green, forest-based style bringing back fond memories. For gamers of the past, it brings back fond memories of the 8- and 16-bit eras of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Thankfully, the surroundings are varied, including snow-based, desert, cave, and castle settings.

Oh, and Duck Souls has a catchy music that makes you feel like you're having a wonderful time even when your death count suggests otherwise, akin to classic platformers. It forces you to go over the annoying barriers in your path and is positive and inspirational in a manner.

All in all, Duck Souls is an enjoyable and endearing—if angry—experience. It's excellent how it puts you to the test and encourages you to study more. It's definitely a fun game for lovers of platformers. Duck Souls could be the game for you if you miss the good old days, when you felt proud of yourself for overcoming the obstacles.