A curious platform adventure starring a mole whose profession is to be a postman.
After the playable earthquake that has been the colossal Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury , a title that we recently analyzed and that excited us, most likely any other platform-style game that appears in the middle of its “shock wave” is going to have it quite complicated to stand out. And quite possibly that is what has happened to Mail Mole , an indie title that has just been released for both Switch and other current systems. A proposal that, as we are going to explain to you, is entertaining and enjoyable but that falls short according to what aspects and that, in general terms, does not add anything new to such an extended and saturated style of playas is the one of the platform adventures in 3D.
The game takes us to a land called Carrotland, which has lost all kinds of communications and we have to reactivate them. A story as silly as it is inconsequential, something common in this type of work. And who is the protagonist? Well, nothing less than a mole whose profession is to be a postman and who goes by the name of Molty. An adorable little animal that must face 30 levels (quite short) to solve the ballot and help his neighbors. A mission not especially hard, we already warned you, since if we do not want to complete all the challenges, obtain all the collectibles or, most importantly, overcome the speed challenges in the speed run plan proposed by each of the levels, probably the let’s complete in less time than we would like: just a couple of hours. Of course, at least these phases are quite enjoyable as long as you like jumping.
This 3D platform title has the peculiarity that the protagonist moves underground … and little else.
Jumps underground
From a central hub to which we are going to stop and through which (already a clean cannon shot) we can go landing at the different points that are part of the mapping, it is possible to access each of the phases that we have to overcome. Levels that have their own characteristics and that, in general, have seemed quite varied, proposing different playable mechanics that, yes, we have already enjoyed in the vast majority of platform adventures that come to mind that first. The only original aspect but that does not add much to the matter is the fact that, like a good mole, the character we control moves underground, being possible to always locate its exact position thanks to the earth that it is lifting as it moves.
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In each of the levels we can get three medals depending on the speed with which we complete it, being able to also collect carrots and some other additional collectible.
The control of the character is frankly good and precise, something fundamental in this type of proposal and that greatly enhances the gameplay. The truth is that it is a real pleasure to guide our beloved mole through slopes, canyons, mountainous areas, snowy landscapes and other locations, being able to carry out the classic maneuvers and traditional movements in this type of titles such as making culetazos, using accelerations to reach speeds of vertigo, etc. Nothing especially surprising or that contributes much to an already overexploited genre, but that aside from this and beyond its obvious lack of originality in its game concepts, it is a quite enjoyable title.
Rick’s shop allows us to purchase numerous items and outfits in exchange for our precious carrots.
What has least convinced us of all is the duration and, in general, the useful life that this production houses. As we have already mentioned before, overcoming all the levels that the game has is not the hardest task in the world. It is true that it is possible to collect radishes hidden by the scenes and the useful carrots, which act as the currency of the game and allow us to acquire different objects and appearances for the character in Rick’s store. Even so and in any case, of course we are not facing the oldest title in the world, rather the opposite. But hey, being fair it is also true that its price is very low, less than 15 euros, so one thing for another.
The control of the protagonist is really good and it is possible to perform a large number of maneuvers relatively easily.
With regard to its graphic appearance, taking a look at the screens and videos that accompany this review will be enough to give you an idea of what it offers us in this matter. The whole visual style exudes a very evident cartoon air , especially with regard to the conception of the characters, very basic in general but endowed with funny animations. The scenarios are quite varied but they are by no means the most detailed or extensive that we have ever seen, and beyond some striking effect, the truth is that visually it is a correct title and little else. And the sound follows the same pattern, with decent and enjoyable effects and a soundtrack that doesn’t bother but doesn’t add anything special to the adventure either.
Graphically it is a quite cheerful and colorful title, but to be honest, it is too simplistic in general terms.
Entertaining but not very original
Beyond the fact that the protagonist of this adventure of 3D platforms moves below the ground (he is a mole after all), the truth is that what this work proposes is barely different from what we have been able to experience a thousand times before in dozens of titles with more or less similar characteristics. But this does not mean that the game is not worth it because it is a humble but well-embodied proposal and whose playability is more than decent. Of course, do not look for the greatest challenge or a too long duration because you will not find it either. Mail Mole is a solid title within its genre and quite entertaining, but nothing more.
