Mekorama looks a lot like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. There’s no getting around this, but in the same way that Metroid Prime looks a lot like other FPS titles, it doesn’t quite play the same. In fact, Mekorama is played entirely on the Switch’s touch screen (or with an on-screen cursor, if you wish), and feels completely different to Nintendo’s own puzzler. Initially available on mobile devices, it triumphantly makes the jump over to Switch with little to no fuss, and even packs in plenty of extra levels in the process. It’s remarkably clever and charming, even if it does contain a few quirks that may frustrate some players.
Mekorama stars an adorable robot named ‘B’ (he rather looks like a bee, but also shares a striking resemblance to BB-8), and it’s your job to guide it from A to B in a series of levels presented as dioramas. These are split into Easy, Medium, Tricky, and Hard categories. You’ll need to make good use of the game’s camera in order to inspect the stages from every possible angle, as most, if not all, contain obstacles, secret passageways, and moving objects that will only be visible from certain points of view.
Using the touch screen, you can tap anywhere on the level and B will move to that location, provided of course there are no obstacles blocking its path. The levels get incredibly complex as you progress, so you’ll need to manipulate them in different ways in order to allow B to proceed to the end. Scattered throughout the levels are movable blocks denoted by a circle symbol; you can drag these up, down or side to side, and act as platforms or makeshift elevators depending on their position within the environment.
The controls work very well for the most part, mainly thanks to their simplicity. You simply tap and drag with your finger, so it’s incredibly easy to pick up. There are occasions where you’ll be furiously spinning the camera around to try and find the solution to the level and accidentally manipulate part of the environment itself in the process. This is frustrating at times and can potentially set you back quite a bit, but we’re honestly nitpicking here.
Aside from actually playing the levels, you can also create your very own. This sadly isn’t the most intuitive of creation tools, but it does the job. Most of the levels’ assets are split into cubic blocks, so you can gradually build up your level by tapping where you want the blocks to go. Think of a pocket-sized Minecraft (and yes, we already know that exists, thank you) and you’re pretty much on the right track. With a bit of time and patience, you could create some levels that no doubt rival the ones already available, but if this isn’t something you’re interested in, there’s plenty to be getting on with regardless.
Comments 19
‘It may look like captain toad, but don't let that fool you’
I was expecting a terrible review score after seeing the headline!
@Mince I though it would get no more than a 4 after I read that. In the end, it seems pretty decent.
I enjoy this kind of game but it's not something I really need to buy now. One day I'll eventually get it
You can try it for free in Android. It's a lot more similar to the excellent Monument Valley mobile games than Toad Treasure Tracker.
It's well enough made, just a bit boring for me personally.
Some pretty rubbish games around now. How about a Jedi academy review?
@jarvismp I certainly didn't think it was rubbish.
@jarvismp yeah I would like a Jedi academy review too looks pretty good it has a good rating on the PlayStation store don’t know if that’s anything to go by
@jarvismp It sounds like you're certain Jedi Academy isn't rubbish--but if that's the case, why do you need a review? Shouldn't reviews be given to games we aren't certain about the quality of?
@jarvismp Yea this game is not rubbish..
I'm early into Mekorama, but don't be fooled by the mobile look and background: some of these levels require real patience and close attention to solve. This is no shovelware; it is a quite legitimate and fun game.
So I'm confused, how is this not like Captain Toad? It sounds an awful lot like it.
@Bolt_Strike You click where you want B to go rather than control directly, and those cubes with the circles on manipulate the environment.
My experience of the game is the Xbox version when it's clearly optimised for touch screens but it works as a cheap companion to Captain Toad for those that want a similar experience (in my opinion).
Can't believe I only now just realized your "highs and lows" at the end of reviews is Joy-Con ("Joys" and "Cons"). Well done.
The iPhone version was great and of course player created levels were creative and jaw dropping. Can you share your created levels on this version and search and play others?
"but also shares a striking resemblance to BB-8"
You must have seen a VERY different Star Wars movie...
This definitely looks like a mobile phone game.
Raves about the game. Then gives it a 70. Which is a C in all grade schools across America. That is average. Far from good.
@dreamssux There's no reason a scale which measures the quality of a game should correlate with a scale that measures how well a student has mastered material.
It looks nothing like BB-8
I might download it someday.
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