Hunchback

Overview

Hunchback presents a visually striking remake of the 1983 classic that ultimately collapses under its own frustrating mechanics. Early impressions suggest this reimagining prioritizes aesthetic flair over playable fundamentals, resulting in a punishing experience that tests patience more than skill. While the game's Ghouls 'n Ghosts-inspired visuals earn appreciation, they serve as mere window dressing for a platforming experience hampered by imprecise controls and questionable design choices.

It’s sad to say, but this game just isn’t really any fun. As great as it looks and as good as I want it to be, it is just ridiculously hard for no obvious reason.

Gohst

Visual Splendor vs. Mechanical Misery

Hunchback's strongest asset lies in its visual presentation, with beautifully rendered graphics that pay homage to the Ghouls 'n Ghosts aesthetic. The art direction creates an atmospheric medieval setting that initially draws players in with its dark charm. Character designs, particularly the protagonist, showcase detailed animation work that gives the world personality. Unfortunately, this visual polish becomes a cruel irony when contrasted with the game's fundamental shortcomings.

The core platforming mechanics suffer from severe implementation issues that transform basic actions into exercises in frustration. The rope-jumping system proves particularly problematic, with players reporting inconsistent physics when attempting to grab or release ropes. Landing jumps requires pixel-perfect precision that the controls rarely deliver, turning what should be fluid traversal into a series of trial-and-error deaths. This mechanical unreliability amplifies the already steep difficulty curve, creating artificial challenges that stem from unresponsive inputs rather than thoughtful level design.

Technical Troubles and Fleeting Bright Spots

Beyond the control frustrations, Hunchback displays concerning technical shortcomings. Players encounter persistent bugs like the "game over" text occasionally lingering on-screen during new attempts, breaking immersion during retries. Certain levels introduce questionable design choices, such as arrows firing unexpectedly from off-screen positions that feel unfair rather than challenging. These technical hiccups compound the existing mechanical problems to create an experience that often feels fundamentally unpolished.

Amidst these frustrations, fleeting moments of enjoyment emerge. The bell bonus stages provide welcome respites from the main game's punishing difficulty, offering straightforward platforming challenges with clear objectives. Some levels demonstrate creative potential with environmental variety and enemy placement that could have shined with tighter controls. The protagonist's comedic death animations - complete with censored curse words during plummeting falls - provide darkly humorous relief from the otherwise grueling experience.