TimeWasters highlights many of the excellent, free Web-based/lightweight downloadable titles that you can dive into within the space of a lunch break. This week, Chris Gampat explores Robin the Archer.
If you’re a Super Mario buff looking for a somewhat familiar, yet fresh take on the platforming formula, Robin the Archer may just be for you. The game runs easily on any PC and will keep you entertained whenever you’re in need of a quick gaming fix. Turn the sound off and you’ll be able to play throughout the day. In fact, due to its length, you’ll be able to play for days.
Robin the Archer is one of those cool neo-retro games that looks like it could be made into one of those 8-bit cartoons that you may see on Adult Swim late at night. The premise of the game is simple: hop from ledge to ledge, shoot turtles and big giant green blob thingers with your bow, collect coins and stars, and finish the levels.
Controls are simple enough and the game can be played without a mouse for the most part. Get used to using the standard W,S,A,D keys in combination with J and K for shooting and jumping accordingly. In between levels, depending on how much money you’ve collected, you can get certain upgrades. For example, by level three you should be firing two shots at once.
The music is kind of weird, it reminds me a bit of something I may have heard from the old days of Mega Man or Zelda. But that’s cool, because it all adds to the nice feel of the game.
My only beef with it is that I wish the game were available for mobile platforms. It may work well on an iPhone/iPod Touch and would be totally badass on an Android system like my T-Mobile G1. It would surely help pass the time during the overly long subway delays due to train traffic in NYC.
Once you’re done with Gretel and Hansel, come play this. You’ll love it.
