Lovish Review: A Masterclass in Polish Despite Wobbly Foundations

"Lovish": A Masterclass in Polish, Despite Wobbly Foundations

Alright, gamers, let's cut to the chase. We've seen a lot of titles come through our labs, but Lovish, the new action-platformer hitting multiple platforms, presents a unique paradox. This isn't a game that nails the basics and then builds; it's a title where the "extra stuff" is so meticulously crafted, so utterly brilliant, that it elevates an otherwise average core experience into something truly memorable. It's a bold play, and frankly, it largely pays off.

The Lovish Paradox: Content Over Core

What immediately grabs you about Lovish is its developers’ apparent disregard for the industry adage: "get the basics right." The action and platforming, while serviceable and "slightly better than decent," aren't going to set the world on fire. Yet, everything surrounding that slightly wobbly core is, in a word, fantastic. This game is all about the bells, whistles, and unexpected delights, turning what could have been a forgettable indie into a title with genuine staying power.

Core Gameplay: A Tad Slow, A Bit Basic

Let's address the elephant in the room: the combat and initial progression. Sir Solomon, our hero with an existential crisis and questionable loyalty to his gang, starts with a bare minimum: a jump and a sword attack. And for a veteran gamer, that "bare minimum feels mediocre for slightly too long." We've seen this before, and it can be frustrating. The combat, specifically, suffers from cooldowns so long it feels like we're managing ability rotations in an MMO rather than dishing out quick platformer blows. This often results in a stop-start rhythm that just doesn't feel right, especially against some of the more "bullet spongey" bosses that "didn’t do it for us."

The platforming fares better, with a "generous arc to the jump" that allows for forgiveness on tricky maneuvers, sitting somewhere between the precise demands of Celeste and the accessibility of a 2D Mario. However, as levels get tighter with moving walls, erratic enemies like "damn you, bubble-frogs and jesters," and low ceilings, the initial ease gives way to genuine challenge. It's here that the early lack of upgrades truly bites.

The True Masterpiece: Extra Content and Presentation

Where Lovish truly shines, however, is in its commitment to player rewards and sheer inventiveness. The inter-level comic book panels are not just throwaway gags; they're meta, genuinely funny skits that become "a reason to keep playing." Imagine FIFA Career Mode punctuated by your player spotting Jadon Sancho down the local pub – that's the level of genius we're talking about. These segments aren't just narrative; they hide genuine progression, delivering everything from "a bone of 100 coins in a chest" to extra lives and entirely new items.

The game is positively bursting with secrets and quality-of-life additions:

• Purin’s Shop: Unlocked via comic segments, this shop allows you to buy crucial gameplay upgrades. Our top recommendation? Grab the Thunder Spell first for a Master Sword-like projectile, followed by the Dash Cap.
• Collectible Crowns: Each level offers two crowns, one for a pacifist run (a real challenge in claustrophobic levels) and another for more mysterious tasks like clearing enemies or finding secret walls, reminiscent of a Simon Belmont hunt.
• Crown Key Room: Cash in those hard-earned crowns for access to even more levels and hidden secrets.
• Surprises Galore: From crossovers with other games and movies (licensing agreements, how do they work?!) to an entire Zelda-like dungeon to discover, Lovish keeps you on your toes.

The presentation is another standout. While the in-game pixel art is "fine," the comic sections are animated with "as much charm as a Saturday morning cartoon." Couple that with an "awesome soundtrack" invoking both Castlevania and Zelda, and a Super Mario World-style 2D map brimming with its own secrets, and you have a game that clearly had "disproportionate care lavished on it." We're talking polish so intense, "we could see our face in Lovish."

Final Verdict: Rewarding Beyond Expectation

Ultimately, the initial gripes with combat and boss design fade into the background. Lovish isn't just a game that respects your time; "it's thoroughly rewarded." After each level, you're not just progressing; you're just as likely to "raise a chuckle or coo at a new upgrade." This constant stream of unexpected delights and clever design choices means that despite its slightly wobbly foundations, we ended up loving Lovish. No need for the -ish.

The Breakdown:

• Pros:
  • So much extra content and secrets
  • Fantastic inter-level segments
  • Presentation is full of care
• Cons:
  • Combat is too slow
  • Upgrades were needed from the start
  • Bosses didn’t do it for us