UFO 50: A Unique Collection of Games
UFO 50 is presented as a collection of minigames crafted by a six-member team, spearheaded by Derek Yu, known for his work on titles like Aquaria and the esteemed Spelunky. However, labeling UFO 50 merely as a ‘minigame collection’ does not do it justice. The term ‘minigame’ often evokes thoughts of brief experiences reminiscent of WarioWare or NES Remix, characterized by short, forgettable gameplay. While some offerings in UFO 50 certainly fit this description—and do so exceptionally well—others are so rich and intricate that they could easily justify a standalone price of £20.
A Variety of Engaging Gameplay
One standout title in this compilation is ‘Party House,’ a delightful roguelike deckbuilder where players must invite guests to a party, amassing money and popularity while navigating potential chaos, whether it involves aliens or dinosaurs. Another notable entry is ‘Night Manor,’ a horror-themed point-and-click adventure featuring multiple endings and a captivating narrative. Additionally, ‘Rail Heist’ has been likened to a ‘metroidbrainia’ experience, where mastering the game’s mechanics creates a fun and challenging puzzle platformer. Just when you think you’ve discovered the best game, another contender emerges, raising the bar even higher.
Endless Variety and Completion Tracking
The breadth of options in UFO 50 is truly impressive. Unlike the repetitive themes often criticized in game collections, UFO 50 offers an eclectic mix, from fast-paced competitive arcade games like ‘Bushido Ball’ to extensive RPGs such as ‘Grimstone.’ Players can immerse themselves for days without experiencing monotony. The game also features a clever completion tracking system, where in-game disk icons become ‘gilded’ upon completing main objectives and ‘cherried’ for extraordinary achievements, such as achieving 100% completion. As players progress, a virtual garden fills up with visual representations of their accomplishments. There’s even a hidden 51st game, ‘Miasma Tower,’ which can be accessed through a specific command in the main menu of the first game.
A Fictional Universe Enhancing Experience
UFO 50 distinguishes itself by creating a fictional universe centered around a company named UFO Soft, credited with developing all the games within the collection. Each title is assigned a fictional release year, with ‘Miasma Tower’ reflecting the company’s decline in its last year. Reportedly discovered in an abandoned warehouse, these files were compiled by developer Gregory Milk. These narrative elements provide depth and a sense of cohesion, as certain characters reappear across different games, enhancing the overall experience.
Distinctive Audiovisual Presentation
The game’s audiovisual aspects contribute to its unique charm, featuring an appealing ’80s-inspired color palette limited to 32 hues per game and individualized intro screens for each title. The nearly seven-hour soundtrack, composed by Eirik Suhrke, employs wavetable synthesis, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of early home computer systems rather than the typical NES-inspired indie soundtracks. Even if players struggle with certain games (looking at you, ‘Onion Delivery’), the overall ambiance remains enjoyable.
Room for Improvement
However, with 50 games in the mix, not every title will be a hit. Some entries, such as the underwater Metroidvania ‘Porgy,’ fall short due to excessive backtracking and slow early-game pacing. Similarly, ‘Combatants,’ which revolves around managing an ant army, suffers from problematic AI that makes directing allied ants frustrating. Despite a few underwhelming experiences, this still results in an impressive 96% success rate, a commendable feat by any standard. With consistent updates, these minor issues are likely to improve over time.
A Must-Try for All Players
UFO 50 is a delightful, imaginative collection of games that caters to a wide array of players, from casual gamers to those seeking a deep and rewarding challenge. While its exclusivity to Windows may deter some, I highly encourage everyone to explore this unique collection and appreciate each game individually. It promises to be a gratifying experience.
