There are many things in this world that are not exactly as they seem. Take the poison dart frog for example; these aposematic creatures are so beautiful, yet so deadly. It seems the bright inviting colors they possess signal their toxicity, warning predators of impending danger should they decide to get curious. As silly as it may sound, Sling Ming from Good Night Brave Warrior is the Nintendo Switch’s portable dart frog.

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”

-Saint Augustine

Developer: Good Night Brave Warrior

Publisher: Good Night Brave Warrior

3 Hours played // Nintendo Switch Version – Review copy // Price: $11.99

The icon has the protagonist princess centered between her advisors, legs enveloped in smoke from her passing spaceship with the title of the game centered at the top, and a monster’s silhouette in the background

Strap on a space suit and helmet and prepare to traverse dangerous worlds in this colorful yet unassuming title. You play the dauntless princess Ming, on a mission through the unknown in order to save her crumbling world from land shattering waves of earthquakes. Sling Ming is a challenging puzzle platformer that will test your resolve, while making great use of HD rumble and other Switch features.

Throughout the game, you will be put up against different challenges and obstacles that will test your critical thinking abilities. Princess Ming discovers that there are still long extensive lines interconnected underground referred to as “Oxylanes”. Once connected via spacesuit, these lanes allow you to travel through areas along a given path from stationary node to stationary node. These nodes and paths along the Oxylanes are able to be altered and adjusted, many times necessary as you are moving. You will need to utilize spatial reasoning, momentum, and timing to carefully make your way through each intimidating level.

Sling Ming requires a great deal of patience, foresight, and precise button press combinations. You are able to look around the screen at any point in order to see what the level will throw at you, in order to prepare and/ or hope for the best! Should you not be prepared, or accidentally make an error, it will most surely result in you disconnecting from the Oxylane. Disconnection from the Oxylane will end your game.

A redeeming quality for the difficulty in this game is that you are given unlimited attempts and there are no limits on lives either. Mastery of this game will require a great deal of attempts, and upon further progression, will require an even greater amount of precision. At least you get to feel an effective use of HD rumble when you are sent careening off to your death from any number of dangerous situations. Sling Ming also allows you to take a 30 second video capture as well, for when you pull off those amazing feats after what seems like an eternity of trying.

There is little in this game that will help you with the actual gameplay. However, there are certain areas (usually when new mechanics are introduced) that will give you a quick on-screen tip or tutorial, helping you advance through what is seemingly impossible at times. Collecting coins and itoms in game (yes, they are spelled itoms, which look like atoms) will also help you progress. Coins will allow you the option to skip levels should you not be able to pass a specific area, and itoms allow you to move to the next planet after beating the boss!

The boss battles in Sling Ming are actually pretty interesting and require yet another adaptation to the play style. You still travel along nodes, but they require using them tactfully to avoid attacks and such, rather than obstacles. Once a boss is beaten, and you have gathered enough itoms to power the station, you will be able to travel to the next planet. This is one instance of a cutscene you will get to witness. Not only this, but there are different sections within worlds (between levels) that are broken up by small cut scenes of slightly humorous conversation between Ming and her advisor from her home planet via live communication systems that are in place from when these Oxylanes were formerly utilized. You will also see frivolous small talk between Ming and her onboard computer named pathOS as they are traveling.

Playing throughout Sling Ming, stories begin to unfold, giving the player insight into the personal life of Princess Ming, which is a bit deeper than initially suspected. This is a nice touch considering what is initially laid out as the premise seems a bit generic. You are also shown the real purpose as to why you are going through the trouble to save these planets from inevitable destruction, and ultimately why you specifically are the one who has the capability to do so. In my opinion, regardless of how simple they are, the cut scenes add an element of both humor and purpose and make the levels worth progressing.

Throughout my play through of Sling Ming, I had no issues of any slowdowns, glitches, or crashing. The game plays smoothly and beautifully. Should there have been any instances of this, it would have made the game nigh impossible to play. The graphics are clean and crisp, and full of vibrant colors, which I loved. There are many achievements to unlock, and challenging puzzle elements to master. It would definitely require endless tries to unlock all goals, and if you are a completionist be prepared for lots of replays. As for me, I do not see myself trying to go back for anything as I had a hard-enough time just getting through the levels! The music is atmospheric with undertones of electronic dub style, which gives a nice vibe. If you are up for a teeth gritting, nail biting task then this game may be for you. It is not for the faint of heart nor the casual player. Remember, things are not always as they seem!

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