Necrow Co. Captures the Soul of the Game Boy
Although the Game Boy eventually became a home to numerous different genres, much of its strength and popularity was built on the backs of platformer games. After launching with Super Mario Land and later introducing Kirby for the very first time in Kirby’s Dream Land, it was clear that the Game Boy was the hottest portable console for platformers at the time. Graphics have become more advanced since the days of the Game Boy, but in a lot of ways, the platformer genre has retained the same basic principles. For this reason, when developer Zahran W. took on the challenge of creating a game reminiscent of the Game Boy era platformers, it’s unsurprising that it feels right at home alongside the other Game Boy Classics.
The game in question, Necrow Co., is a simple 2D platformer about a crow who must collect souls for their boss, Thanatos. The crow’s journey takes the player through several unique worlds filled with deadly enemies and difficult jumping challenges. As it was made for GBJAM 9, the entire experience feels very reminiscent of the Game Boy era. Even the story, told in brief conversations involving crows, feels as if it uses the limitations of the Game Boy in a way that maximizes the game’s potential.
As with many Game Boy platformers, Necrow Co. plays in a simple yet satisfying way. The controls are intuitive and responsive, making it easy to pick up and addicting to try to master. Fitting of a crow, the protagonist is granted several wing flaps that the player must use to navigate the world. The system of multiple jumps is reminiscent of Kirby’s Dream Land, and the worlds are well-designed to utilize the mechanic in a challenging and fun way. The crow also has an attack that can defeat the numerous enemies scattered throughout the world.
Rather than ending with boss battles, each stage ends with a rush of enemies, which is a unique take on the typical 2D platformer formula. After defeating the enemy rush, the player is granted a new power-up which could be a health increase or a new ability entirely. That incentive, combined with the level variation, makes every new level in Necrow Co. feel fresh and exciting.
Even with its strong platforming and level design, Necrow Co.’s greatest strength is its presentation. Using a monochrome color scheme, the developer creates a world that still feels alive and expressive. The enemies are varied and visually appealing, the worlds have variety and charm, and the crows themselves are a joy to look at. These minimalistic yet appealing graphics are nicely complimented by the soundtrack, which uses a simple soundfont reminiscent of the Game Boy era to create catchy and memorable songs. All of it comes together to create a platforming experience that feels thematically rich and a ton of fun to play.
After completing the game, the player is offered to play Necro Mode which is a more challenging version of the original Necrow Co. It should be a tempting offer for all players as Necrow Co. is an addicting and charming platformer that begs for multiple playthroughs. As in all game jams, the developers took the prompt to heart, creating an experience that would fit right in on the original Game Boy alongside other Nintendo greats. However, their ability to create a unique platforming experience while staying true to this theme is what sets Necrow Co. apart as both a memorable platformer and a great Game Boy game.