Boti: Byteland Overclocked Review | TheXboxHub

Jumping Back to the Past

Platformers have always held a soft spot with a large part of the gaming community. They represent many of our first titles completed or first games we played, whether that be a Super Mario 64 or a Sonic adventure. Some of our fondest gaming memories come from when we were young and booting up that game you got as a present, only to be greeted by a massive world all yours to explore. 

Every now and again, a new generation will be bestowed with a platforming title that breaks new ground and innovates in the genre for the next decade. If you’re willing to set your minds here for a while and engage in a throwback to the past, join me as we ask the question, “Is this genre defining title Boti: Byteland Overclocked?”. With clear inspirations from a range of platformers, you can imagine Purple Ray Studio’s debut as: if Super Mario World was 3D… and filled with computers and technology.

Exploring Boti’s Platforming Playground

Equipped with a double jump, dash, stomp, glide, and scanner, your objective throughout the game’s eight levels is to gather bytes scattered throughout and hiding in containers/enemies. Simple as this sounds, the platforming challenges harmonising with deadly enemies will keep you from your mission.

The mechanics, whilst being staples of the genre, work extremely well in unison with Boti’s level design. The scanner ability added a flavourful touch to an already interesting title, combining ideas from games such as No Man’s Sky, into a platforming experience. Mixing exploration from games of old such as Banjo-Kazooie, with the open-ended level design of games like Super Mario Galaxy is a recipe for Boti’s interesting take on the platforming genre, a quirky, yet welcome addition. The implementation of a hub world shows the effort and care the devs put into this title; with a boxing ring and tons of other goodies to collect. It’s an unneeded part of the game, yet necessary for its sincerity.

Diverse Environments and Engaging Challenges

The diverse range of aesthetics for levels is a welcome change to titles that choose to have one main environmental focus. The concepts range from Halloween to ice levels and everything in-between, even having unique gameplay for certain levels such as the Halloween one in which you must collect as many spooky bytes as possible on a time limit. These levels offer differing rewards for how well you do, and I found myself returning for more whilst attempting to get the highest score. Skins and upgrades provide players with enough incentive to try to beat this game through to 100% completion, making it safe to say the gameplay is compelling and gripping.

Within these many levels, come even more micro levels. Most of the stages contain three levels for that stage theme, meaning Boti is filled to the brim with meaningful content that isn’t just filler. To elaborate further, unlike many titles which will pad out their playtime through tedious challenges or yawn inducing side missions, Boti: Byteland Overclocked makes sure every microscopic bit of content will be engaging. In this respect, the comparison to Banjo-Kazooie shines through, demonstrating a clear understanding of game design and what constitutes fun gameplay rather than filler.

Boti’s Inspirations and Shortcomings

We’ve been able to go this long without stating the obvious, Boti: Byteland Overclocked is heavily inspired by the Astro Bot series. From character designs down to gameplay, Boti feels as if a long-lost title in the Astro Bot continuity. Whilst this doesn’t make the game inherently worse, from a grading standpoint it definitely doesn’t get any points for originality. 

The other problems I had with the game were with its lack of explanation. Upon entering my first level following the tutorial, there were many things I didn’t know how to interact with until I spammed all my buttons and discovered that the RT button affected these objects. Whilst I’m not one for games holding your hand throughout, at least a hint or pop up could’ve helped me understand this mechanic.

Story, Sound, and Repetition

Story wise, Boti doesn’t offer much. Besides a defined theme and environment, the story follows a hero saves home-world trope, although this game doesn’t need a complex story with this narrative fitting perfectly fine. To help aid this technology themed aesthetic, Boti implements a retro themed soundtrack with hints of electronic music to fully immerse you in his world.

Despite the several unique gimmicks in each level and Boti’s diverse range of moves, nothing can help from the stages feeling largely similar to each other and, in turn, becoming quite repetitive. I think this comes down to the decision to give Boti his full move set from the tutorial meaning the player has nowhere new to go skill wise from there. Whilst it’s a joy to master Boti’s skill set, I believe many will struggle to finish the game to completion.

A Nostalgic 3D Platformer with a Few Shortcomings

As you dash, jump and glide through the diverse technology themed environments filled with masterfully crafted collectibles in Boti: Byteland Overclocked, a feeling of longing nostalgia coinciding with the slight smirk on your face will transport you right back to that 4:3 TV screen you spent so long gaming on as a child. 

Despite a few flaws, it’s safe to say Boti: Byteland Overclocked will provide gamers young and old a chance to experience whimsical 3D platforming goodness so long unseen in the industry, even if it’s not the genre defining title that so scarcely appears.

Important Linkage

Boti: Byteland Overclocked Boots Up on Consoles, Bringing Co-op Platforming Fun – https://www.thexboxhub.com/boti-byteland-overclocked-boots-up-on-consoles-bringing-co-op-platforming-fun/

Buy Boti: Byteland Overclocked on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/boti-byteland-overclocked/9NPGTFMJMGLD

Or get the Deluxe Edition – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/boti-byteland-overclocked—deluxe-edition/9N9XH066TVXM