DLC Quest

Developer: Going Loud Studios | Publisher: Going Loud Studios | Release Date: 2013 | Genre: Platformer / Indie | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Steam

Indie platform games “with a twist” are a dime a dozen these days, but when the twist is that you have to fork over cash for game additions such as moving left, pausing, animation, and music, it’s hard not to take notice. Fortunately, the cash comes in the form of in-game coins your character has to collect, but players tired of the cash-grab DLC trend infecting modern games will appreciate the humor on offer.

The majority of your time in DLC Quest is spent hunting down coins to buy DLC. Most of the DLC, such as double-jumping, map packs, and so on, is required to progress in the game, but there are some totally unnecessary (not to mention very funny) DLC, such as zombies, on offer as well. There’s even a nice brown “high definition” DLC and horse armor available, all of which add to the game’s satirical humor.

It only took us thirty minutes to finish the game, but we had a lot of fun along the way. It is hardly the most challenging game we have ever played, but the goofy visuals, which look like a cross between South Park and 8-bit sprites, drew us in, and the humor kept us playing. Even for the meager asking price, this would have been a bit bare bones, so fortunately, there is also a second episode titled “Live Freemium Or Die” on offer. This episode offers a bigger challenge as you can actually lose health and die, but after about an hour, it was done and dusted as well. Overall, both episodes were entertaining enough for us to go back and mop up all the achievements apart from the speed-run ones.

If you are a fan of platform titles then you will appreciate what DLC Quest has to offer. The whole finding coins to purchase DLC in order to progress gimmick works quite well and it is almost a pity that the gameworld is so small. The second episode has a larger playing area (with the ability to buy checkpoint DLC) but the most dangerous thing you will face in the game is some spiked pits.

Apart from mocking the whole DLC craze, the game also pokes fun at other titles with references to cakes, arrows in the knee, and never asking for things. The audio and sound effects, while not groundbreaking, are fitting for the game and add to its charm without becoming annoying.

Considering the cheap price, it’s hard not to recommend DLC Quest. The game is quite fun once you get into it, and the speed-run leaderboards and achievements extend its longevity somewhat. If you are not a fan of the genre or don’t like retro, 2D visuals, then you can skip DLC Quest, but everyone else will find it a witty and entertaining little title.

*Review originally published March 2013.