Throwback-style games are one of the most common types of indie titles, but many of these have proved to be of a superficial nature. Many games try to mimic the look of older titles without managing to actually capture the feeling and this leaves many of these games feeling shallow. Every so often, however, a game will come along that actually manages to get things right.
Dandy & Randy is a game that is designed to resemble classics from the Game Boy Color and actually succeeds in that goal. Retailing for a very affordable price, the game sees our heroes Dandy and Randy trying to find a gem to make some money but otherwise is light on story and dialogue in a way that works. After playing through the game, it truly does feel like a lost Game Boy Color game and that is the best compliment that can be given.
Dandy & Randy is a game that can be played in single-player or co-op modes, but it may be preferable to stay in single-player. Co-Op mode can actually be a bit more difficult, and players can end up getting in each other’s ways more than helping. Even with unlockable characters, this is best played as a solo experience, especially since the new characters don’t really feel different.
The gameplay is simple here, make your way through each zone, defeat enemies, and find keys to get to the boss. The game is actually a bit inspired by the GBC Zelda games, both in look and feel. There are new items to find in each area and the new items will unlock abilities, but the feel is closer to Link’s Awakening or the Oracle games rather than a Metroid title.
There is no handholding here, and progression must be based on your own observations and intuition. This helps to perfectly capture the old-school feel of just finding things in a game, and finding the new mechanics in each level feels satisfying. There are some modern touches, like taking influence from the Souls-like games where if you die your money is cut in half, where you can then make your way to where you died and recover the money, but this is a minor detail.
Dandy & Randy feels like a game that would fit into the classic era, and thanks to excellent music and visuals, it has a distinct feel and look. This is an easy one to recommend, especially for the low price. The shortness of the game may be off-putting to some, but a quality short game is better than a sub-par long game.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided