Development team Navel and publisher Super.com have released Tilt Pack for the Nintendo Switch, featuring fast-paced PvP brawls between living rectangular blocks all vying to be the last surviving competitor. Although the game is one of the simplest on the Nintendo Switch, Tilt Pack is a great addition for casual multiplayer gaming thanks to its easy to learn and intuitive design.
Simplicity By Design
There is no story to speak of, and at most, one could infer that rectangular blocks have gained sentience and are now fighting for control of different arenas. Gameplay is deceptively simple, as players move their rectangular-shaped characters left and right with the goal of forcing opponents to fall to their doom or be destroyed by environmental dangers.
The controls are the easiest of any multiplayer game on the Nintendo Switch. Characters can only move left and right, and each player only needs one hand to play. While it takes only a moment to learn, each playable character handles slightly differently in terms of movement and weight, though these differences are small overall. While controlling each character is simple, most of the danger in each match comes from the environmental factors in each arena. This can take the form of a fireball crashing down from above, or the platform breaking apart below. The broad range of dangers make each round unique and enjoyable.
Despite its simplicity, or maybe because of it, Tilt Pack is a great game to pick up with a group of friends.
Who Is This Game Made For?
In a nutshell, Tilt Pack is a game to play with groups of all ages, and that seems to be the point. While a lack of complexity and depth precludes Tilt Pack from ever becoming a dominant esport alongside Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it is the kind of game that can be picked up by anyone for some quick, exciting action. This is clearly the aim of the developers, who in the trailer below show a family with young children picking up the game and effortlessly playing alongside their parents.
The extreme simplicity of controls means that kids can jump into the game as easily as older players and quickly play a few rounds without the need for much gaming experience at all. On the other hand, this lack of depth also means that it takes little time to get through all the content that Tilt Pack has to offer. Within about an hour, players will have seen all the multiplayer stages available. Considering the simple playstyle and target audience of the game, this means that Tilt Pack is best played in short bursts every so often, making for an excellent party game.
Single Player Mode Is More Like Offline Practice
At its core, Tilt Pack is meant to be played with friends in an effort to be the last one standing. There is a single player mode, but it lacks the spontaneously and ruthlessness of playing with a group of real people. Instead of up to four people on screen at once, players face off against one AI opponent at a time across the different courses. There is nothing wrong with the mode, but there is little reason to revisit it after playing it once, maybe to learn the feel of each character.
A Short And Sweet Game To Play Every Now And Again
With a clear design meant to accommodate players of all ages, Tilt Pack feels like a great addition to any player’s library and is a great choice for playing with friends. Although the objective of each round is the same - to be the last rectangular block standing - the dangers faced in each different arena and the power ups that can be obtained keep the game exciting. There may not be much to do after a while, but Tilt Pack feels fresh every time a group dives in, making it a perfect choice for short, frequent games.
A Switch code for Tilt Pack was provided to TheGamer for this review. Tilt Pack is available now for Nintendo Switch.
Tilt Pack