Developed by: Mr. Nutz Studio
Published by: Microids
Released: December 2, 2021 (Playstation, Switch, Xbox) December 7, 2021 (PC)
Asterix & Obelix have quite a run. First published as a French comic in 1959. Translated to English in 1969. The pair starred in countless animated films. There are even some live-action if one looks. They have an upcoming Netflix animated series scheduled for 2023. As for video games, Asterix & Obelix debuted on the Atari 2600 back in the mid-1980’s and continued across all console generations. Now, game developer Mr. Nutz brings Asterix & Obelix to the current generation. Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All! is a 2D side-scrolling brawler with beautiful hand-drawn characters.
Unfortunately, Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All! is a straightforward 2D beat`em up. Consequently, the gameplay is basic, but the animation is a joy to behold. While it does mix in a few minigame stages of races and boar hunts, it is ultimately a simple brawler that leverages existing knowledge and appreciation of the characters.
Story
Asterix & Obelix draws on the long history of comic stories. The game contians six chapters. Five of which cover existing stories and characters. Fortunately, existing fans will find enjoyment in revisiting these characters and locations within the impressive graphics engine. Unfortunately, for players unfamilar with the franchise, there is little character development. The lineage of simpler comic strips and animated films comes through in the thin narrative. But for a game about beating up legions of Roman Legions, the story is never the driving factor.
Gameplay
As an arcade brawler, statisfying combat is key. Early in the game, the combat is statisfying as over two dozen enemies fill the screen attacking the player. Fortunately, the game allows for couch co-op, but it adds a challenging twist. Both players share lives. If one player dies, the level restarts. Asterix is faster, but weaker. His throw attacks work as crowd control and helps compensate for the large number of enemies on screen. Obelix is slower, but stronger. His slaps impact enemies at multiple depths on the screen.
The standard moveset of a brawler is present. Attack, jump, throw, block, and special attack. Unfortunately, the moveset does not expand. The same attacks that were effective early in the game are effective in the final stages. While some enemies cannot be thrown, they are impacted by thrown enemies. Thus, battles frequently broke down into throwing enemies to one side of the screen to prevent attacks from behind and then continuing to throw and attack until cleared. This is exciting early, but becomes route in the final few chapters.
Asterix & Obelix contains 50 levels in total and four different difficulties. While the repeated patterns of gameplay remain on higher difficulties, the enemies become more aggressive and hits take more damage.
Graphics
The animators for Asterix & Obelix created one of the most impressive character graphics of 2021. The main characters animate uniquiely. The movement matches hand drawn animation. Futhermore, enemies are individually animated. Characters’ facial expressions reflect the action on the screen. The characters all feel like watching a well animated film in 4K. Unfortunately, this quality does not translated to the static comic images in cutscenes. Story cutscene images are in a lower resolution quality.
Concerns
While the animation is richly amazing and worth experiencing, Asterix & Obelix’s gameplay is shallow even for a brawler. The beat `em up genre does not need to to a lot to be statisfying. On the surface, Slap Them All! accomplishes this. Unfortunately, the character models stay true to the classic comics. Consequently, there are problematic and racist depictions of Asian, Spainish, and Egyptian characters.
While these characterizations could be understood differently in Europe, the racist stereotypes weigh down the game. The Asian stereotype could easily been exchange for another character or removed completely. Futhermore, the enemy type is not drastically different from others and does not add to the gameplay. The Spainish and Egyptian dipictions are less aggregious, but still present. Unfortunately, while historically accurate to the comic, these characterizations standout as problematic in 2021.
Asterix & Obelix Can’t Slap Them All
Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All! is animated beautifully. The art and graphics teams should be celebrated. Unfortunately, the stunning artwork is offset by limited gameplay and problematic historic stereotypes.
Score: 7.0