If you are shown a trailer for Mail Mole for the first time, it is quite difficult not to be interested in what you see. Platforms, a lot of speed and you embody a postman mole. A cocktail that I couldn’t say no to.
Designed for audiences of all ages, this work marks the debut of Talpa Games , in association with the veterans of Undercoders. The members of the newly released developer come from the university field and that ends up being evident throughout the game.
A good student
Molty, a postman mole whose vacation is interrupted to restore Carrotland’s power , should not take such an errand in a good mood. However, not a single complaint comes out of his mouth and we have to accompany him.
As soon as you start playing and getting the controls, you see that you have been here at some time. Mail Mole is powerfully reminiscent of any Mario in three dimensions , especially Super Mario 3D World, and I value it as an exercise in honesty. It has always been repeated by many teachers from different disciplines when developing your own style: look at those who have been around longer than you.
There is simply no better benchmark in the platform genre than the mustachioed plumber and it is clear that what makes him great has been carefully observed. Molty moves wonderfully at all times , it is a real joy to move with him and his jumps are exact, so you never have the feeling of having lost control due to external factors.
The peculiarity of his way of moving forward is that – surprise – he does it underground. The fact that we cannot see it is not a problem either, since it leaves a furrow of earth as a visual guide . The truth is that the last thing he remembers is a mole, since thanks to the dash and the shape of his jumps, he is more similar to a dolphin.
Always an ace up your sleeve
Regardless of how we look at it, Molty is tasked with retrieving numerous batteries across different levels, each set in different landscapes. And this is when the game gives its first surprise.
When everything pointed to an ocean of monotony, Mail Mole surprises little by little and with an excellently implemented innovation curve . If the first areas have basic obstacles, as we progress there will be new challenges, such as floors that disappear every time we jump, keys to find to open doors or areas where speed prevails. Quite a success.
In addition, the fact that the stages are populated with carrots helps to awaken that part of us that wants to collect absolutely everything that is found. Even more so if there are giant apples hidden in each of them, adding that slight hint of completism .
If we get tired of the levels, we can always go to race against robots in those same phases, rewarding ourselves with extra batteries. On the other hand, there is the accessories store for Molty, to which we can put everything from sunglasses to a top hat, upon payment of the collected carrots. Too bad that even being the protagonist, we will hardly see him in the whole game, since due to his underground nature, little will come to light.
From the smallest in the house to the most seasoned
When Mail Mole speaks of itself as a headline ” for all ages, ” the phrase couldn’t fit better. Facing the gallery, it is a work that seems destined for the shelves of the smallest of the house, but it reserves surprises for the most hardened.
There are different boss fights throughout the game and, especially in the final part, they can choke on more than one might expect . The jumps are adjusted more, we will have to take into account more elements on the screen so as not to fail and we will even seek to buy more hearts to stay alive.
You won’t even have to go that far, since the ascent in difficulty is very well measured. The final levels are perfectly adjusted for those who have already gotten used to the mechanics, as well as the beginners will be noticed with great ease at first.
Vida Extra’s opinion
Mail Mole is a worthy alternative to the most popular 3D platforms . It does not have the same charisma as other titles nor does it sport a technical section that makes you put your hands to your head, but it complies with the fundamentals of its genre. You can see the university spirit of Talpa Games in his project, taking his first steps in the industry without hiding his references.
For many, its duration may seem like a reason to get away from it -it has lasted almost a full charge of the Nintendo Switch in portable mode- although in a time when saving time is essential, it is appreciated not to go through fifteen hours of departure . Also, its reduced price is consistent with it.
Mail Mole
| Platforms | Nintedo Switch (analyzed version), PS4, Xbox One and PC |
|---|---|
| Multiplayer | Not |
| Developer | Talpa games |
| Company | Undercoders |
| Launch | March 4, 2021 |
| Price | 14.99 euros |
The best
- A great alternative to large 3D platforms.
- It never stops surprising.
Worst
- The scenarios sin to be simple.
- The accessories store is a useless addition.