REVIEW: Fenix Rage

by Daniel Hodson

Fenix Rage is everything you would expect from a tough as nails platformer. Much like Super Meat Boy, the game is designed to test your patience and your sanity. Fenix Rage is the newest 2D side scroller from indie game developer Green Lava Studios, and delivers difficult gameplay, sweaty palms, and plenty of cookies. It’s a challenging game and isn't afraid to test your commitment regularly. If you've been looking for another game to challenge you like Super Meat Boy then Fenix Rage is for you.

The story is simple. You’re resting in your village when all of a sudden Oktarus destroys the entire place, leaving you responsible to hunt him down. It’s a simple concept, but there are some twists that keep it interesting. The shallow story makes for a confusing experience as there were times when I didn’t understand what was happening and why it was happening. Revisiting the cut scenes helped to clarify things, but the initial time it took me to complete stages was long enough to make me forget some of the plot.The story itself will not be winning any awards, but it is interesting nonetheless.

The game is divided into stages, each containing 20 levels. With its ten stages the grand total comes out to a satisfying 200 levels. In each level there are cookies and items called “Fenix’s Box”. Fenix’s Box is similar to the “Warp Zones” in Super Meat Boy. Fortunately, if you die they will respawn and give you another chance at retrieving them. The boxes will take you to a retro-like level where everything is blocky except for Fenix himself. They feel a little out of place in the game, but still offer a fun diversion from the main gameplay path.

One of the more strange but unique additions to this game is the ability to unlock cookie recipes. Collecting all the cookies in a given stage will unlock a cookie recipe. These recipes are for you to make at home and eat. Even the time trial mode has incentive to beating all the levels’ high scores. When you beat a record time on a given level you will receive a gold star. Gold stars can be used as currency in the Arcade to buy mini-games. Other modes such as challenge mode and god mode do not have gold stars, but do offer bragging rights for the very best players.

The unlimited jumps and dashes make for gameplay that is simple but fun. Each level offers something different and is always a challenge. In this game you will unlock dark levels once you beat the light levels, just like in Super Meat Boy. However, in Fenix Rage these dark levels are part of the plot. Levels often look simpler than they actually are. A level at first glance may appear to be a breeze, but before you know it you will have racked up hundreds of deaths. These occasional, overly difficult levels give you a sense of great relief once you’re finally done with them rather than feeling accomplished. That being said, the game is fair when you are learning something new. The game introduces you to new concepts slowly to make sure that you understand them, but will quickly escalate in difficulty.

Unfortunately the bosses were a bit too bland. While they were fun at times, many of them behaved and looked too similar. But that didn't discourage me from wanting to continue the game and looking forward to the next challenge.

Green Lava Studios made the art for this game simplistic, but also mesmerizing at times. I often found myself staring at the scenery for a few minutes rather than actually playing. In a way, it almost works to offset the frustration you've built up while playing. The same cannot be said about the music. It is catchy and fun to listen to while you’re playing, but it is quickly forgettable once you stop.

Even though this game is almost too difficult at times, it was still a lot of fun to play and worth my time and money. If you can pick it up I urge you to. It is currently available on Steam and will be coming to Xbox One and PS4 in early 2015.