I do n’t eff about you , butAstro Bothas arrive me in the mood to act more platformers . I ’d block how joyful a colorful adventure like that can be if it ’s expertly craft . There are passel of plot you’re able to spiel if you want to scratch up that itch , like this year’sPenny ’s BigBreakawayor a natural selection ofoldies on Xbox Game Pass , but there ’s a firebrand young 2D platformer out this week that should be next on your list if you have Astro Bot fever .
Grapple heel : Cosmic Caninesis a sequel to the2022 hidden gemGrapple Dog . The original game stood out thanks to its make do claw bowel movement , atavism collect - a - thon structure , and a vibrant art style that made it palpate like a long - lostGame Boy Advance title of respect . Just two years later , developer Medallion Games is back with a subsequence that ’s even better and address many of its predecessor ’s biggest weak point . If you ’re calculate for another game likeAstro Bot , Cosmic Canineschecks many of the same boxes .
While the firstGrapple Dogwas a straightforward , level - based platformer , Cosmic Caninesstrides in with a second more confidence . There ’s a bigger emphasis on story with its intergalactic scoundrel , cutscenes throughout , and some genuinely hilarious writing . The bigger vacillation , though , is that it features two heroes this time . Pablo , the naive retriever with a heart of gold , gets a foil in the form of Luna , a gruff and tough whelp with a gun . All of this helps build out the human beings of Grapple Dog and make it feel like more than a in effect platforming construct .
None of those variety throw out what made the original game not bad , though . The core theme is the same , as both Pablo and Luna clear 2D levels that require them to swing around with their wrestling hooks and dig around for mystical collectibles . Pablo ’s tier play out like they did in the premature secret plan , but Luna can bourgeon enemy , as well as use an airwave dash to mingle up her combat and traversal options . That dynamic helps solve one of the old biz ’s openhanded issue , as the grapple platforming feel one - note after a while . The two hero setup helps break in up that flow without lose sight of what the series does well .
That ’s also help by the intro of new level - specific ability that are not so different to howAstro Botworks . In the first world , Pablo get an electric ability that lease him glide around metal walls . Luna , meanwhile , gets additional tool like a flamethrower , which she can expend to edit out through vine . Those help introduce new platforming twists to its worlds , cut down on an overreliance on precise wrestle and impulse - based movement .
The continuation is importantly easier because of it , but that ’s not a forged affair . Grapple Dog‘s late levels could be craze due to finnicky controls . I call back flipping on accessibility tool to get through the last few levels . Its subsequence is breezier , but that just intend I experience more encouraged to hunt for well - hidden collectibles . It also helps that Medallion Games ups its storey design chops , a feat made possible thanks to the story ’s universe - hop premise . One Seth of horizontal surface puts me in a pastel speech rhythm - platforming world where I postulate to time my start as platforms appear and disappear on beat . Another fuddle me in a dark - and - white world call “ Catsablanca ” ( get it ? ) .
It ’s that punning that reminded me what I lie with about the Grapple Dog series . When I wrote about the first game , I noted that it felt like a long - lost childhood favorite from the GBA era . When I catch to a Catsablanca stage inCosmic Canines , I actuallydidflash back to a long - lost childhood deary . When I was a nipper , I played the heck out ofGarfield : Caught in the Acton Game Gear . I loved that platformer to end thanks to its TV - establish level thingumabob that incessantly mix up the setting . Cosmic Caninescaptures the same vibration with its ever - transfer levels , toon visuals , and lovable animal heroes . LikeAstro Bot , it ’s an old - shoal return to physique that delivers everything I loved about plot as a kid .
And would n’t you have it away it ? My beloved Garfield biz also has a Catsablanca level . I ’d call that a full circle moment .
Grapple frank : Cosmic Canineslaunches on September 12 for Xbox Series X / S , Nintendo Switch , and PC .
