If you grew up playing Mega Man and Castlevania, then this new Panzer platformer collection might be your cup of tea. Released just recently, The Panzer Platforming Collection joins the two main entries in this quirky and charming retro series in one convenient package: The Adventures of Panzer and The Adventures of Panzer 2.
The games let you control Panzer, an overly muscular ex-corporal with a tank for a head, as he reunites his eclectic team of misfits for new missions. Expect classic run-and-gun platforming action with detailed pixel art visuals and humorous writing poking fun at RPG tropes. Crafted with accessibility tools, these indie darlings hearken back to 8-bit classics but add some modern touches like multiple paths and unlockable characters with unique abilities.
Whether you’re an old-school gamer looking to relive the golden years or a newbie seeking an enjoyable intro to retro platformers, The Panzer Platforming Collection aims to please with its smooth performance, adjustable difficulty and budget-friendly bundle of silly yet satisfying side-scrolling adventures.
Run, Jump, and Blast Through Wacky Levels
The Panzer games deliver straightforward side-scrolling action centered around running, jumping, attacking enemies, and avoiding hazards. As the muscle-bound Panzer, you’ll blaze through levels while unleashing ammo from your trusty arm cannon. The tight controls make moving and shooting a breeze. Prepare to time your jumps between platforms, dodge tricky spike traps, and battle quirky foes like disco zombies with afros. Things start simple enough in Panzer 1 with basic firing modes, but you’ll soon upgrade to charge shots, ricocheting bullets, and a nifty self-healing spell. The levels follow traditional platformer design, progressing from an icy tundra to fiery machinery and beyond, each ending with an eccentric boss.
While the core action sticks to genre fundamentals, Panzer 2 adds some extra flavor. Now you can choose between multiple branching paths in the levels. And along with Panzer, you’ll unlock two other playable fighters: Nina, a swift kunoichi with throwing stars and ninja teleports, and Bruiser, a hard-hitting berserker who wields a giant hammer.
Each character offers unique traversal tools and attacks to shake things up. Nina can grapple to objects with her whip or turn invisible to sneak past foes. Bruiser smashes through weak walls and tougher enemies alike with his pound attacks. Mixing and matching companions also enables handy cooperative moves used to solve environmental puzzles or access hidden loot. It’s an enjoyable evolution that builds upon the first game’s foundation.
No matter your playstyle – charging ahead aggressively or taking a more cautious exploratory approach – there’s plenty incentive to replay levels. Keep an eye out for shiny coins, health pickups and secret challenge rooms off the main path. And with a lives system in place, perfectionists have their work cut out mastering each stage without a single slip up! Between the creative abilities, branching level layouts, unlockable extras and adjustable difficulty settings, the Panzer duo offers old-school gameplay with just enough customization to keep you popping bullets for hours on end.
Charming Pixels and Clever Humor
While the Panzer games definitely prioritize retro-style gameplay, their vibrant pixel art graphics, quirky sound design, and lighthearted stories also help these titles stand out. Crafted with accessibility tools, the visuals retain an authentic NES era charm with richly detailed backgrounds and squeaky clean character animations. Both Panzer and his merry band of misfits like the Western troper Shamus McSwordface sport expressive 8-bit designs.
The bold colors, cartoony effects, and cute enemy designs ranging from teddy bears in tanks to zombified disco dancers exude personality. Classic chiptune tracks drive the action with punchy loops that evoke ‘90s gaming networks like the legendary DENNOU Club. The wobbly synthesized beats also capture the whimsical tone, especially whenever the gullible ogre Bruiser is around. And rest assured the sounds of firing bullets and stylish sword slashes pack a serious retro punch, too.
While not contenders for best original screenplay, the silly stories bring levity between all the platforming and enemy blasting. Think Saturday morning cartoon plots taken to an amusing extreme as Panzer’s arrogance gets him in trouble yet again. Sure, the jokes target a niche crowd, skew a bit immature, or revolve around references you might miss if this is your first RPG.
But surprisingly solid writing and witty dialogue keep the humor engaging rather than annoying (outside of Panzer’s excessive bragging of course!) Whether it’s the extroverted evil genius Biggest Brain or timid turtle ally Franklin providing nervous backup on missions, the characterization nails comedy without going completely overboard. In an age of grim and gritty games, it’s a welcome return to breezy ‘90s sensibilities.
Customization for All Skill Levels
The Panzer Platforming Collection aims to please both casual and hardcore gamers alike with its range of options. The standard lives system remains for that classic challenge, forcing players to restart levels if they slip up too much. But those seeking a more relaxed experience can also enable unlimited lives or even rewind mistakes in mid-air à la Celeste.
Both handy features ensure less frustrating replays. Beyond the five base difficulty settings spanning a gentle walk in the park for newcomers all the way to an intense bullet hell for veterans, you can even fine-tune variables like enemy speed and platforming timing windows.
And there’s plenty incentive to dive back in. Hunt down shiny coins littered across stages to unlock concept art and music. Discover hidden rooms off the main track containing special ammo power-ups or sly Indiana Jones references for bonuses. Expert players can truly flex their skills chasing faster completion times, no death runs, or the max rating of S ranks across all levels.
The additional Rogue Survivor mode also transforms the entire game into one giant gauntlet, daring you to finish as far as possible on a single life. And did we mention costumes? Sport Panzer’s old army uniform, dive into stealth mode as a cardboard box Nina, or play as Zombizer Bruiser for some extra flair. While not as robust as modern games, these personalization options let you tailor the experience to match your playstyle.
Smooth Retro Action for an Affordable Price
Considering these games originated on the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Panzer Platforming Collection impresses where it counts – flawless performance. The emulated ports translate seamlessly to modern platforms, delivering the tight controls and responsive gameplay essential for satisfying platformers.
Both adventures run smoothly without slowdown, glitches or other technical hiccups even when the action gets intense. The convenience of save states and rewind features also minimize frustrations. And while the retro visuals and audio are uncomplicated from a processing perspective, they burst with vibrant personality thanks to excellent art direction.
As far as content amount relative to the asking price, expectations should align closer to classic game design rather than modern 100+ hour RPGs. skilled players can complete each adventure in a few hours, but chasing high scores and hidden collectibles across the replayable stages adds longevity.
Considering the standard $20 price tag for this two-game compilation, those seeking a whimsical, well-crafted platforming package get great value – especially when playing co-op to maximize the unique character abilities. Retro enthusiasts or casual gamers wanting charming graphics and pick-up-and-play mechanics can rest easy knowing The Panzer Platforming Collection delivers plenty of bang for their buck.
The Highs and Lows of Panzer Platforming
Considering everything The Panzer Platforming Collection offers retro platformer fans, the good outweighs the bad. On the positive end, you get smooth performance, charming graphics, varied playable characters, humorous writing, and enough customization to cater to all skill levels. The tight controls, clever level designs and wacky enemies also hit that sweet spot of paying homage to 8-bit classics while adding some nice modern touches. But a few issues stop these adventures from entering the video game hall of fame.
At only a few hours long each, the total amount of content leaves you wanting more. And while replaying stages to find secrets adds some longevity and the pricing seems fair, those expecting a sprawling Metroidvania or RPG scope might feel underwhelmed. The essential platforming and combat also remain basic at their core without too much innovation.
Besides swapping between the three fighters in Panzer 2, both games lean on established genre formulas without risking bold new ideas. Some players might yearn for more variety in enemies, environments and mechanics after awhile. And of course the slapstick humor and abundance of inside jokes won’t click with every gamer, especially if you didn’t grow up on old school RPGs.
But for retro enthusiasts looking to scratch that classic side-scrolling itch, it’s hard to find too much fault in the Panzer Platforming Collection’s polished presentation and gameplay. Just set your expectations closer to a lighthearted, arcade-style romp rather than a sprawling epic.
Who Should Enlist With Panzer?
When the chaotic blasting and platforming settles down, The Panzer Platforming Collection earns a solid recommendation for anyone eager to dive into some accessible retro gaming. Offering an enjoyable evolution from the first to second game, Panzer’s silly yet tightly crafted adventures recapture the best parts of early side-scrollers.
The charm and attention to detail shine brightest, from the broad-stroked comedy to precisely animated sprites. Any players tired of the visually noisy HD era will appreciate the clean pixel aesthetic. Destructive trigger fingers can enjoy the cathartic shooting and smashing gameplay loop unfettered. And the added perks like adjustable difficulty, unlockable extras, and unique characters make repeating levels more rewarding.
Of course, those seeking large interconnected worlds or complex action systems might leave disappointed. At their core, these games embrace and master simplistic run and gun action. But for fans of tactical combat akin to Mega Man or Contra rather than long combo strings, there’s plenty incentive to blast through enemies just one more time in pursuit of a perfect score. Indeed, as a value-packed nostalgic time capsule ideal for quick gaming sessions, The Panzer Platforming Collection hits the mark for retro enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
The Review
The Adventures of Panzer: Legacy Collection
The Panzer Platforming Collection offers an enjoyable dose of retro-flavored fun across two compact yet polished pixel-art adventures. While the slapstick plotting misses at times, the charming presentation, varied characters, and finely tuned platforming action make it easy to recommend for on-the-go sessions, especially at its affordable price.
PROS
- Tight, responsive classic platforming gameplay
- Colorful and detailed retro pixel art visuals
- Humorous writing and silly characters
- Multiple playable fighters in the sequel
- Good variety in moves, abilities and weapons
- Non-linear level designs with secrets to find
- Smooth performance and stability
- Good value at budget price point
CONS
- Fairly short gameplay length
- Story and jokes may not always land
- Core mechanics are a bit basic/familiar
- Lack of online features or extras
- Can feel repetitive after extended play
