What happens when you mix seemingly basic visual stylization with oldschool techno? 140 is the answer to your universal question my friends… And that’s exactly what Jeppe Carlsen had in mind when he created this nerve and rhythm testing Indie! Finally coming to PS4!
Rhythm games have come in many different flavors and forms, remember Patapon? That was a great step forward in the genre but sometimes too easy. Meet 140, a game that will make you curse the analog stick for using it, and where you will count beats aloud so as not to make any mistakes! The plan is simple; Some nice colorful art style and geometrical figures, a beat that builds up to a song when advancing through the level and platforming/puzzle gameplay to top it off. A simple yet rewarding recipe. You will be counting beats and cry of joy everytime you reach a checkpoint!
There’s no real story when you boot up the game. Before you know it you can actually advance and start the game. I had been looking at my “square” for 15 seconds before I understood that I could actually move it already. When you move your square it becomes a circle and it happily rolls into the hell you and I will put it through. There are pitfalls, moving platforms, white noise to avoid and bosses that will test your rhythm skills and patience. Also You better love techno! I luckily did!
Visually the game stands out by going to the edge of “less is more”. I mean you couldn’t go for an even humbler visual experience. This is by no means a reason to call it ugly, it’s kind of refreshing in its simplicity. There are some small visual effects and color changes when you collect a “node” and activate it but other than that you will not be blown away by 3D photorealistic graphics. But the game doesn’t need that to shine. 140 is colorful, simple and everything but stark!
The music is not added to the level, it is PART OF the level. Music and syncing your movements to the beat are crucial to advance in 140. Some elements you will have to take into account are played in 3/4th other is 2/2nd of 4/4th. If this is something you’re not familiar with it means that everything moves or shoots to the beat but some elements move faster to the beat or skip a beat. So when encountering a moving platform and one of them disappears on the 3rd beat, you will have to time and count your jump. otherwise your happy flying triangle with fall into the depths of hell. The further you advance the heavier the musical score will become. It’s a refreshing take on music in a game. Some of the tracks really get stuck in your head! Electronic Music fans will rejoice!
140 is a pure sang platformer at its core. It has some puzzle elements as well but you will curse the analog stick and declare the D-pad holy and Saint! The boss fights are unique and you will have to avoid quite a lot of stuff coming your way or avoid falling into the static that will instantly kill you on the spot. When you’re shooting you as the player cannot shoot at will, The game will shoot when it fits the shooting sound into the music. So while avoiding enemies you will have to reposition yourself when the game will shoot for you in order to align the shot and defeat your enemies.
Now I have been mentioning that the gameplay is basic on itself, the visual style seems extremely simple but please understand that it is the marriage of the music, the graphics and the gameplay that form this Indie with a twist! This is not just a rhythm test, it’s a journey to wherever you want it to be. It’s relaxing and nerve wrecking at the same time. It’s an experience. It’s the answer to the universe, it’s 140!
| The good | The Bad |
| – less is more | – no explanation |
| – colorful and relaxing visuals head | – might be too hard for some |
| – a solid platformer | |
| – it’s a music game! |
Score: 4 out of 5:
