Super Cloudbuilt Review

Building upon 2014’s Cloudbuilt, Double Eleven and Coilworks’ Super Cloudbuilt gives Demi another chance to shine. Should you run, shoot, and parkour your way to victory, or is this one adventure not worth taking?

Super Cloudbuilt Review

Players take control of Demi…or at least her subconscious. After ending up in a coma from her time in battle, this version of her experiences an abstract version of what lies in the real world. It’s a dark tale, but one that serves more as window dressing to the core action the game provides. Despite this, it will keep you entertained and wondering what will happen next through its five hour story.

Each stage is essentially a gauntlet for Demi to overcome. Everything takes place in a sky world, complete with floating walls, platforms, and enemies. It’s somewhat spartan, but the pencil-like shading gives the game a vivid look. Everything is tiered in design, and the sense of scale is great. You really feel like you’re traversing a big world, and climbing a steep tower or clearing a series of wall jumps makes you feel nigh unstoppable. Adding to the game is a boost mechanic, which allows her to jump higher and go faster. It’s use of meter makes for an interesting dynamic, though it often runs out far too fast. There are some enemies in the form of robots and turrets that need to be fought each level, but Demi can deal with them with the game’s shooting mechanics. It’s pretty rudimentary, with a charge shot a la Mega Man available, but it gets the job done and varies things up a little bit.

With so many options available, the available control scheme for consoles can be somewhat cumbersome. What was fairly straightforward to do with a keyboard and mouse set up in the original can be a bit more challenging when using a controller, especially when mashing on the triggers to complete a challenging section. In addition, the camera is very closely zoomed in on Demi, making it somewhat difficult to see what challenges and enemies lie ahead. These things aren’t game-breaking by any stretch of the imagination, but they do add an additional layer of difficulty for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions.

Those looking to get the most out of this game will be pleased, as the game is designed with replayability in mind. Those who clear things with all of the collectibles quickly without biting it will get a higher score, which will no doubt appeal to perfectionists and speedrunners alike. There are also a number of secret keys hidden in each level that allow players to unlock things like health upgrades much earlier. There are also tests like pacifist and challenge runs, that force players to plan their runs carefully and think outside the box.

Super Cloudbuilt has complex platforming mechanics that work well with its grandiose level design. Though the game does not always play nice with controllers, those who take the time to learn Demi’s moves will enjoy their search for the perfect run.