Radio Squid (2020)

In general, in addition to being somewhat boring and repetitive, Radio Squid is simply not a fun game. Having to deal with your own shots all the time coming straight to your face in every single, tight room is exhausting - you can't even stand and think for a second without being punished by the game. As small positive points, the soundtrack is pretty cool and the Game Boy style look certainly appeals; however, these aspects are far from rescuing an experience as unpleasant as that of this game.

Radio Squid is a game with conflicting ideas that makes it partially enjoyable but equally just as frustrating. The bomb power is useful and a feature that feels fair and challenging whereas the ability to hurt yourself just feels the opposite. The claustrophobic arenas make the trek to reach the note to start your attack all the more pointlessly dangerous, meaning you will likely take cheap hits before you even start attacking yourself. Then, the wall wraps mean you have way too many things to keep track of, including your own projectiles. It all adds up to an experience that feels unfair and a bit bland.

Simplicity, originality and friendliness do not guarantee quality. But in Radio Squid if they help to get it. Huge accessibility, a fun and funky game system, a fun and horny look, and one of those games that can absorb you without realizing it. Maybe with a few tweaks the abduction would last longer, but what it takes to dodge your own bullets and turn them into coins will be pure and direct fun.

Watching online playthroughs made me realize that other players were equivalently struggling. Admittedly, this made me feel a little less bad about my own failings. Seeing those players reinforced the two cores issues I have with Radio Squid. Coins as currency and lives combined with unforgiving gameplay that harshly penalizes the player for failing and lacking swiftier reflexes don’t form an experience worth investing in. All in all, I don’t think Radio Squid is truly an adorable lost cephalopod. There’s evident potential for fun here. Albeit with some significant tweaks to how the game plays and is overall constructed. If Radio Squid altered the item drop rate, made Upgrades available more often, and didn’t punish the player ludicrously severely for dying, this game could be something special.

Radio Squid has varying moments of charm with its monochrome look and fun chiptune soundtrack. But, sadly, it falls short due to a beat-based shooting mechanic that continually works against you and feels half-baked.