Sunshine Review

While the hero in Sunshine looks like a demonic cat, it’s really a simple Photon who has set out in the multiverse to take on the evil black holes. This one-touch to jump platformer may remind some gamers of Super Meat Boy. The game is packed with 60 fast-paced levels spread throughout three worlds and 12 environments.

Sunshine includes an intro that gamers can skip, but it’s well worth watching the story behind the game. The main idea is that gamers must travel across solar systems to restore the sun’s power because the black holes wish to steal all the light. Although the gameplay looks simple on the surface, be prepared to die a lot—and love every minute of it along the way. There were some levels where I died over and over again, but I couldn’t stop trying to make it to the white hole exit.

There are five starlets in each level, and it takes at least three to open the white hole exit to advance to the next level. The score is based on a three star rating system. Stars are earned by getting all five starlets, finishing the level quickly and successfully completing a level. It’s possible to go back and replay a level at any time, so don’t worry about obtaining all three on the first try.

Players only have one life to make it from the start to the finish as they race to get as many starlets as possible. Dying over and over again eventually gives gamers the option of getting an extra life to help, but they will only receive gray stars instead of nice shiny gold ones.

The controls for this game can take a little while to get used to. Honestly, gamers will either love them or hate them as it can be a little frustrating trying to control the frantic Photon. Players tap the screen to jump and hold onto the screen to jump higher. It’s worth noting that long jumps are more like slingshots. While this seems simple, the jumps need planned in order to avoid falling into a black hole. It’s possible to jump from a black hole to another orbit, but gamers will have to be fast.

Sunshine is a difficult and fast-paced game, that most hardcore players will appreciate. There are many surprises along the way like boss levels, super powers and dangerous obstacles like cages, saws and meteors that really ramp up the difficultly level. The gorgeous graphics, up-beat music and impressive level design combined with the hardcore game play create one of the best platformers I’ve played this year. Check this amazing title out today and see if you can make it through the multiverse and become the sunshine.