Unit 4 (2017)

Unit 4 is fun in co-op, but you often get the impression that its difficulty is not as fair as it should be.

Unit 4 is a game you can pick up and play, but small learning curves are required at times. This is mainly because combining your characters is crucial in navigating the challenges the game throws at you. For it to be enjoyed to its fullest, it is a matter of mastering the fun character switching mechanic with a sleight of hand to make the most of this fast-paced platformer. It's generally going to best served to those with some 2D platforming experience already under their belt.

Unit 4 demands consistency and precision from the player, but sports unpredictable mechanics that often kill you through no fault of your own. This is a game about careful movement where maneuvering is a total crapshoot.

For me the concerns began just in the tutorial as the game walks you through each character’s signature ability...

While Unit 4 has some really neat ideas, it barely misses the mark and will probably only attract nostalgia from diehard retro fans. In its current state, all the polish in the world wouldn't address the key issues I have with this title. To put it simply, this game's co-op isn't a big enough change from the retro titles it draws inspiration from.