General Information
The story begins with Doug, a young human boy, bidding farewell to his parents before an ill-fated playdate. Attempting to show his gerbil, Boom Boom, to his friend Rosie, Doug finds himself chased by a terrifying creature and transported to the titular Galaxyland. On Erros, a world supposedly ideal for humans, Doug grapples with the shocking news of Earth's destruction while seeking a way home. However, Doug's challenges stem not only from his youth but also from a grand conspiracy surrounding the enigmatic Glass Door, forcing him to question everything and confront his deepest desire to return to Earth.
The game's marketing gives off a somewhat rough-around-the-edges vibe. Doug and Rosie's ages were unclear to me, with key art depicting them as older teens or young adults. The elongated sprites added to this confusion, though it's possible they're simply tall children. Oddly, the normally anxious Boom Boom is shown gleefully wielding a gun. In-game, Doug and Rosie are written as much younger characters - Doug's reaction to learning about his family and Earth's fate feels more childlike than that of a young adult. While this minor confusion didn't detract from my enjoyment, it's evident in other areas where dialogue tries too hard to be clever. A faster dialogue option would have been welcome, as most characters lack engaging conversation, except for the quirky company-babysitter-bot struggling with unemployment and an identity crisis. Additional editing or voice acting could help players better interpret the dialogue.
Despite these issues, the dialogue has its strengths. I particularly enjoyed the meta-commentary on humanity's flaws. The story also explores intriguing themes, even if the characters driving it aren't always compelling. Topics like safety through ignorance, familiar evils, grief, and vengeance are briefly touched upon. The story's conclusion leaves room for a potential sequel from developer Sam Enright.
The soundtrack of Beyond Galaxyland deserves high praise. The end credits reveal that Sam Enright single-handedly developed this project. Like other multi-talented creators such as Toby Fox, Enright is someone to watch. The game's music is so catchy that it could stand alone as a groovy, lofi album. The boss battle tracks, which range from sinister to playfully atonal, fit perfectly with the game's atmosphere.
Visually, Beyond Galaxyland is stunning. The game features diverse, eye-pleasing environments, from an Earth-like planet to a frozen mining colony, the gritty underbelly of Neo, and an ancient alien ship. However, the game occasionally becomes too dark, making it hard to spot secrets or judge platforming sections. Even with my Switch at maximum brightness, I had to guess some jumps. Despite this minor issue, the vibrant art style left me in awe and would make perfect phone wallpaper material.
The gameplay offers variety without being too challenging, making for a smooth experience. It features a Pokémon-like capture system, which, while morally questionable (as you can catch sentient beings), is well-implemented and adds to the fun of discovering new enemies to convert. You can also scan almost any living creature to learn more about Galaxyland's alien species or how to better handle enemies in combat. The game includes mini-games and puzzles, but Sam Enright thoughtfully added the option to skip them or lower their difficulty. For example, when I struggled to win a Golden Ticket to save the main character from slavery on a luxurious space yacht, the race organizer eventually 'felt bad for me' and gave me the ticket anyway. This smart design choice shows how the game prioritizes story progression over player pride.
These elements combine to create a well-rounded gaming experience. The catchy soundtrack enhances the atmosphere, while the stunning visuals bring the diverse alien worlds to life. The gameplay strikes a balance between challenge and accessibility, with thoughtful features that keep the story moving. The capture and scan systems add depth to the game world, encouraging exploration and discovery. While the occasional darkness in certain areas may pose a challenge, it doesn't significantly detract from the overall experience. Beyond Galaxyland showcases Sam Enright's talent as a solo developer, delivering a game that's both visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
The combat system in Beyond Galaxyland is well-designed, allowing for strategic first strikes and quick victories against weaker foes. This smart choice prevents tedious battles with trivial enemies. The turn-based combat requires defensive play to minimize damage, adding depth to encounters. While not overly difficult, the game does demand proper defense to avoid sudden game overs, like when a space cow deals 150 damage to Boom Boom. The damage might seem high, with options to increase difficulty in New Game Plus, but the game never leaves players stuck or constantly reviving fallen allies. Oddly, special moves can't be defended against, but they're not fatal.
Basic attacks dominate combat, but limited special moves and summons add welcome variety. One minor gripe is that failed defenses cost AP, which can be crucial in tough fights. It's not game-breaking but worth noting. Enemy attack patterns lack diversity, with most being slow. This contrasts with games like Mario & Luigi, where enemies use quick, fake, or delayed attacks to keep players alert. Sam Enright seems to have opted for slower attacks instead, which may condition players to expect less urgency.
Loot and upgrades in Beyond Galaxyland are consistently useful, making exploration rewarding. Even random chests offer valuable items, unlike many games where loot often feels pointless. A minor annoyance is the slow chest-opening animation, where items float before being collectible. Strangely, 'important' chests instantly give loot, suggesting this might be an oversight. The game also features crafting, side quests, and some platforming elements for added depth.
The combat system, while not perfect, offers engaging gameplay that keeps players invested. The balance between challenge and accessibility is well-maintained, with the defense mechanic adding a layer of strategy to battles. The loot system encourages exploration and rewards players for their efforts, making each discovery feel meaningful. Despite some minor issues like slow chest animations and limited enemy attack patterns, the overall experience remains enjoyable.
Beyond Galaxyland's gameplay elements work together to create a cohesive and entertaining experience. The combat system, loot mechanics, and additional features like crafting and side quests provide players with a variety of activities to engage in. While there's room for improvement in some areas, such as enemy attack diversity and chest animations, these don't significantly detract from the game's overall quality. Sam Enright's design choices generally prioritize player enjoyment and smooth progression, resulting in a game that's both challenging and accessible.
The game's mood shifts like a rollercoaster, reminiscent of emotional Pixar films or 80s family flicks. You're kids facing heavy issues, yet you can crack a murder case by roughing up a shady nightclub owner, all while fending off disco-dancing, moonwalking goons. It's more surprising than jarring or unsuitable, though parents might pause at white 'blood' smearing walls amid numerous bodies or a scene mimicking Ridley Scott's Alien, both found in Beyond Galaxyland.
Beyond Galaxyland is a pleasant revelation that doesn't drag on. The bright visuals, subtle yet catchy tunes, and smooth gameplay with plenty of optional tasks make this a game that values your time. If you're keen to linger, you'll likely enjoy cranking up the difficulty or diving into side content. The game strikes a balance between respecting player time and offering depth for those who seek it.
