Analysis of My Friend Pedro

A video game that picks up the arcade essence of the nineties, adds the bullet time of the Matrix and finishes off the play with a surreal approach very much in the style of Suda 51. That is the approach of a tremendously fun 2D shooter, but also very ingenious. We tell you about it in our analysis of My Friend Pedro.

If I had to summarize My Friend Pedro in a few words, I think the best definition is that a video game to show off. Their two-dimensional bullet-time choreography is designed to not only get you through a series of levels of increasing difficulty, but to come back and score the “S” rank. The developer (one person, which is surprising), wants you to recreate each move, jump and shot as if it were the last, within an absorbing play style that requires all your concentration.

 

The scheme is simple: several phases with enemies to riddle with bullets in an absurd but great approach. The game is described as a violent ballet in which our protagonist follows the orders of a talking banana : as absurd as it is real. This will make us go through common scenarios of the action genre, but also surreal, with the aim not only of reaching the end of each phase, but of bursting the score multiplier.

 

The flow of the game is based on making the shootouts pretty , jumping over the wall, targeting two enemies at the same time and unloading lead in bullet time, just before grabbing onto a conveyor belt while throwing grenades at the enemies you have. down. There are always enemies, and there are always bullets with which to welcome them to this shooter exhibition in which you are the one in command. That is the true reason for being of My Friend Pedro, and the truth is that it has already surprised me not only because of how genuine the proposal is, but also because of how fun it can be.

 

My Friend Pedro launch trailer

 

Who is Pedro?Apart from everything mentioned, I was impressed to see that the game is designed entirely by Victor Agren (except for the music). His resume explains quite well how this is possible: he worked as a level designer on LittleBigPlanet 2 and generally was part of the Media Molecule team for several years, with various jobs, from testing to graphics. An all-rounder that shows his talent in a game of “acrobatic action” (as he likes to call it) that gathers influences from the Matrix trilogy, but also from the legendary video game Max Payne .

We have tested the video game on Nintendo Switch with splendid performance, both in TV and portable mode.

It makes sense, because much of the game we will spend slowing down time to plan combat strategies where we will always be at a disadvantage. That is the magic. Abruptly entering an enemy room and kicking one of them, while shooting the one approaching from behind. Of course, the grace is that the slowing power is not unlimited , so you have to manage it very well, as well as the tempo when recharging.

He wants you to recreate with each movement, jump and shot as if it were the lastThe variety, although sufficient, has not seemed to me its strongest point. However, My Friend Pedro raises some interesting solutions. The first is based on different playable concepts, which go beyond the idea of ​​just shooting. You can jump over walls, hook on ropes, flick switches with clever uses, bounce shots, and there’s even a skateboard to shoot at full speed. In addition, there is a scene of a motorcycle chase, as well as some other certainly imaginative boss , who without being the only one contributes to raising some peak of difficulty.

The video game contains special sequences, which are out of the ordinary. More of these would have come in handy!

The second resource is in the use of weapons . We have the normal pistols, but also the automatic ones, as well as an assault rifle and even a shotgun. Each weapon has a very different behavior, which determines the way to proceed in each situation. If the enemies are far, better the rifle … but if they are close, the most appropriate thing is to dedicate a shotgun cartridge to them.

 

Perhaps what can be criticized the game the most is that the number of situations is not extensive, but neither can you ask much more to the 4-6 hours that your campaign will last, made up of a total of 40 levels . The replayability is considerable, with the possibility of breaking chronos (there are online markers) and choosing between three difficulties . In the lowest, normal mode, the truth is that the path is not excessively complicated, but it is very enjoyable: the best entry point to get hold of controls that are presented progressively.

If we say that the video game has a Suda 51 touch, it is because of the surrealism of some of the levels that we can find.

The game is designed for the showYou will learn to shoot in 360 degrees and then combine it with actions such as rolling on the ground, dodging enemy bullets, crouching for cover behind a box or jumping through some glass. The game is designed for spectacle, so that you sit for a while in front of your console in short but intense games in which you will feel like the master of shooter action. If that is what you are looking for, or it catches your attention, I am sure that My Friend Pedro will not disappoint you.

 

“Very good”

My Friend Pedro

 

6.5

Readers
(1)

 

My Friend Pedro is an adrenaline rush in bullet time, with a simple, fun concept and an arcade nature reminiscent of the classics of the nineties. Short phases, but with an ingenious concept, in an indie production that surprises with its brilliant execution without excesses. One of those releases that you don’t expect, but once you start playing it you lose even the notion of time.

  • Choreographies of spectacular shots, thanks to bullet time
  • Very entertaining from start to finish: you won’t stop playing it
  • Good variety of proposals, with the odd boss and other surprises
  • Has some replayability: different difficulties and markers
  • Some level concepts become somewhat repetitive
  • Although adjusted to your approach, something short can be done

 

by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

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