Stay Tuned

It seems like I always start a review off with “I had never heard of this game before I was asked to review it”, and this time is no different. I watched a quick trailer of it,said “why not?”, and here we are. While Landflix Odyssey is not a standout in the multitude of platformer/puzzle games, it’s not a slouch either.

Players take on the role of Larry, a lazy couch potato who accidentally gets sucked into his TV after using some nuclear-powered batteries for his remote control. He must make his way through a full season of some of his favorite TV shows, going from episode to episode to make it out alive. While not to compare it to Captain N: The Game Master or Stay Tuned (Yeah, I’m old), Landflix Odyssey most certainly wears its references on its sleeve. With levels called Peculiar Stuff (Stranger Things), Going Mad(Breaking Bad), and The Standing Zombie (you know which one that is) the game is full of references to the popular TV shows from the last decade.

Platforms: PC, XB, PS, Switch
MSRP: $14.99
Price I’d pay: $10

The game itself is a platformer that varies depending on the show Larry is in. Larry usually has a single special ability that aids him while traversing the area. Each screen is almost like a mini level in and of itself. There is usually a checkpoint going from screen to screen, and many of these screens will feature platforming sections along with a possible puzzle to solve. Nothing too mind-bending, but it at least keeps me engaged. One thing to note is this game can get rather difficult. Some of the platforming and the enemies the game throws at Larry can get overwhelming. That’s not to say its impossible, but timing jumps and attack patterns are something the player will have to get down just right before progressing.

In each episode (level) Larry can collect both coins and blueprints. These collectables unlock new episodes and special features, so while collectables can be avoided in some instances, they will eventually be needed to progress. The coins are easy enough, but some of the blueprints are hidden and will require some digging to find in each episode.

The look and feel of the game are perfectly fine. The jumping is rather tight in most instances and the special ability in the Blindevil (Daredevil) season was a fun one to execute, even though it then adds another layer of precise jumping to pull off. If there was the one thing I had to say about Landflix, it would have to be that the game feels almost trial and error, like it was designed to have players fail in order to figure out just the correct way to complete a level. While that is not necessarily a bad thing in theory, in execution it most certainly turned into a frustrating task about halfway through a season. One minute I would be having a fun time figuring a screen out, and the next I was silently saying to myself “If I die here again, I’m turning the game off.” It was either one way or the other.

In the end, Landflix Odyssey is a decent game. Sure, it can be a bit lame on the originality, but the platforming works well and the gimmick for each show is fun. There will be times you’ll be fed up with the trial and error style of gameplay, but I always found myself going back to it for one more try. It is definitely one of those game where you have to play it not the way you would but how the developers made it. For the platforming fans, it’s a decent trip. If you’re not really into perfecting a level in a game, I would suggest looking somewhere else for your platforming fix.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.