Goliath Depot is a fast-paced, single-screen homage to 80s arcade games in which you have to shut all the doors to progress to the next level. Everything you would want to see in a game like this is present, with addictive gameplay with that “just one more go” feeling, bright blocky graphics, a funky chiptune soundtrack, and lots and lots of coins to collect.
And for solo developer SuperMegaDav of Vidvad Games, it was a project that started out as a joke. A regular Hotel Mario speedrunner, he challenged himself to remake the first level of the ill-fated Phillips CD-1 game in less than twelve hours. It was a success, and the foundations of that were to be used as a sequel to Hotel Mario, which eventually turned into Goliath Depot in just a six and a half-month development timeframe.
Taken from the game press kit: “The game is set in a dystopian world where the Goliath Corporation is the #1 store chain in the world, even though nobody knows how they got there. You play as George, an average Joe working his night shift at the Goliath Depot warehouse, when suddenly, on a stormy night, he notices suspicious blue doors appearing all over the complex. Quick, he has to close them all and alert the authorities at the HQ before it gets out of control.” Set over four areas with ten stages in each, you face off against sentient cardboard boxes, computers, and other strange enemies in your bid to shut all the doors in a level so you can progress to the next one. Every door slam creates a soundwave, which will stun nearby enemies and, just like in Pac Man, make them vulnerable for you to kick them out of the level. It’s only temporary, though, as they will respawn after a set time. The levels do get more challenging as you go, and with a boss waiting for you at the end of each stage, it’s just a really good time.
What I did appreciate while playing was the feeling of progressing, not just in the game but in my ability to play the game. When I entered a new stage, I was always overwhelmed with the new mechanics or enemies, and it wasn’t long before I was back at the start. But it didn’t take me long to progress my skills, and by the third or fourth run, I was all over it, and I put this down to some good old-fashioned level design. This is as you would expect from an 80s arcade game, with a set number of floating platforms for you to jump across, avoiding the enemies, and completing your goal. SuperMegaDav has done a wonderful job of incorporating some really fun level designs, with a clock face-themed level, anti gravity, keys, and fan switches. Each brought fresh and fun gameplay hooks to the game and it stopped me from ever getting bored
The coins you find scattered all over the levels are not just for show, as they can be very useful. The biggest is in the continues. Just like in arcades, you would have to put more money in the machine if you wanted to keep playing, and its the same here, though this time it’s digital money. Each continue costs twenty-five coins, with that figure going up by five in each subsequent stage. The other use for coins is at the start of your run, where you can choose from a range of different abilities to buy that match your style of play. I went for the double jump as my go-to, but the fall through floors was also a popular one. The coins have also been placed in some challenging places within the levels, and if you collect them all in a level, you will receive a 1000-point bonus for your score. This can be important, as when your score hits a set amount, you will be given an extra life, and that was very welcome in the later levels.
Other features include a hard mode once you have completed the game, online leaderboards, and a two-player mode. Of course, as this was developed by a speedrunner, there is a speedrun mode in the game too, so you can really see what you are made of in the door-slamming world. You can also try your hand at the many challenges to earn medals, which will give you the chance to unlock new characters to replace George with.
I liked the presentation of the game, with its gorgeous modern pixel graphics and aesthetics. The character models were standouts, with George in particular. He has this awesome bop to him as he walks, which I adore. SuperMegaDav has done a great job in this area, and the game performed perfectly well on the Nintendo Switch. The chiptune soundtrack was a perfect fit, with a blend of chirpy and catchy tunes that never got old or annoying, instead giving you a little oomph to try and succeed at the level ahead of you.
For the asking price Goliath Depot is a great little package and one that will keep you entertained for many more hours than the two hours it takes to finish the core playthrough. There’s a lovely opportunity to have some two-player fun without it getting heated, and you always feel challenged by the leaderboards or the speedrunning mode. I had much fun throughout my time, and if you are looking for a new, old-fashioned arcade game with a modern twist, then look no further, as you’ve just found it.
Release Date: May 30th, 2024
Platforms: Steam & Nintendo Switch
Price: £6.99
Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy
Version Tested: Nintendo Switch
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