by Srdjan Pavlica
◆ Gravity Duck 64 is an interesting example from the WPQREK team of how a simple and effective idea can be successfully recycled on various platforms <C64, Switch, PS4, etc.>. This title is a classic puzzle-platformer with 40 levels, and the main character is a duck that defies gravity in order to collect golden eggs, one on each level. The game revolves around a simple gravity-shifting mechanic that the entire gameplay is built on.
The graphics are neat, not overly colorful, and excellently balanced. The backgrounds, terrain, and sprites are clearly defined throughout the entire game. The animations are precise and well-done. The overall impression while playing is that this is not a C64 game at all, and an outsider could easily mistake the C64 version for a game on a different platform. The only downside is that the level design could have been much more varied. On the other hand, despite what the SID chip <C64 audio chip> has to offer, the sound and music aren’t exactly the game’s strongest suit. A pleasant melody accompanies the player throughout gameplay, but it quickly becomes boring. The sound effects are well-crafted and nicely match the on-screen action, but like the music, they aren’t particularly noteworthy.
And now for the main thing, the gameplay. The basic idea is simple: the gravity inverts with a press of the fire button, so when the player presses it, they can potentially end up stuck to the ceiling until they change direction again. That’s literally all the controls. It sounds simple, but when you add all sorts of traps and hazards, the real fun begins. During the game, the player will encounter spikes, various enemies that “patrol” the levels, enemies that fire projectiles at regular intervals, and others that shoot homing projectiles. There are also environmental elements that automatically alter your gravity. The first 20 or so levels aren’t overly difficult, so each one can be learned and mastered in 2 or 3 attempts. Beyond that point, the game introduces more enemies and traps, requiring perfect precision and timing from the player; otherwise, there is no golden egg. Speaking of controls, they are exceptionally responsive, with zero noticeable delay.
◆ Gravity Duck is a fun “easy to learn, hard to master” game that can be frustrating, but once you get into the groove, you simply won’t want to put the joystick down.
◆ Although the audio quality isn’t quite on par with the graphics, the game is addictive enough to keep you coming back for more, and it deserves a spot in your C64 collection.
The game is available as a free download :
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