Devolver Digital has certainly made a name for itself over the last few years, especially after publishing breakout hits like Hotline Miami.
But while a lot of attention is being focused on the publisher’s upcoming My Name is Pedro – a quirky slow-motion-heavy third person shooter – an unassuming party title from independent French developer Le Cartel is equally worthy of your attention.
Heave Ho isn’t an easy game to describe in words, but the elevator pitch is simple: grab up to four players to take control of small, roundish blobs and together, make your way across 2D levels without falling to your perilous death.
The catch, on the other hand, is slightly more complex. In order to move, you must make use of your character’s arms and hands – controlled by your two analogue sticks and triggers and respectively.
Each hand can grab onto surfaces as well as other players, allowing you to fling yourself across environments or create links like a Barrel of Monkeys.
See Heave Ho in action:
What follows is level after level of chaos, dangling limbs and a whole lot of yelling. There’s a slight awkwardness in coming to terms with each arm and how to control them, but it’s in this awkwardness, and the failure it creates, that leads to much of Heave Ho’s joy.
This is a game that forgets bleeding edge graphics and engaging narrative for a simple hook that is just damn good fun.
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You’ll definitely want a full four players, as well. While some of the levels can be tackled individually or with a friend, it will be a long road filled with trial and error.
With a complete team, the game’s physics really come into play as you attempt to use momentum to your advantage by swinging smaller groups (or the entire team) into the air in the hopes of achieving a moment of pure glory.
Some levels even throw a coin to collect into the mix – adding an extra layer of strategy to your team dynamic as you formulate plans to skilfully launch it from halfway across a level or bring it along for the ride.
While our time with the game was only brief, it’s all we needed to know that Heave Ho should definitely be on your radar when it launches on Switch and PC later this winter.
