Kaiju Super Datetech is an alt-game made by Powerhoof that can be downloaded for free from itch.io . Each playthrough takes 5 minutes on average and the objective of the game is to create a mech from scraps on your way to meet with Godzilla that is attractive enough for wildly unrealistic beauty standards (in human terms). You play as a 2D human trying to gather wheels, rockets to make the mech move, and scraps and accessories to build the rest.
In-game screenshot, a janky mech (left) and the player (right).
The game calculates how attractive your mech is depending on a few factors such as the height of your mech, the decorative items it has, if you got to the date on time and a few more. If you’re well prepared enough for your date with the Godzilla, you might even get a kiss.
What makes Kaiju Super Datetech a beautiful experience in my opinion is, how non- seriously it takes itself and consequently, how playful each try is. The game isn’t really hard to figure out nor there is an objective of making a super accurate mech. It’s a bunch of metal scraps, wheels, hats, swords stuck together by the players and as we continue to play no matter what is created, it takes a character. The game does give us points for different categories and it does decide if we succeed in romancing the Godzilla or not, but all this is secondary, supporting elements to give a structure to the game. The core of the experience is in trying to make a wildly messed up mech from a bunch of junk, while also trying to keep up with it as it moves, and making sure the mech actually does move.
The failure of making a “good” mech is something that is inevitable and thoroughly enjoyable. If the game provided a mouse option to build a mech, we would be able to create beautiful mechs that ran like well-oiled machines. However since we play as a small 2D character and moving around to make the mech, it’s hard to make a proper mech. So what we end up creating is a mech that looks like is just having a really bad day.
If you have the option, I would also highly suggest trying the game with a friend. Since making the mech can go so many wrong ways, the whole experience is really funny if you both approach it with the same angle. As all the mistakes are just beautiful failures, playing with someone multiplies all these mistakes with the element of surprise and creates a lighthearted, fun experience.
Kaiju Super Datetech reminded me playfulness isn’t something that is inherent video games, even to an extent we could consider if we actually do play many video games. It is something that has to be designed explicitly for, and when done right it can provide beautiful experiences, like a mech and Godzilla sitting in a tree…
Developer: Powerhoof
Publisher: Self-Published
Platforms: PC, Mac OS, Linux
Genres: Simulation, 2D Platformer
Age Rating: Not Available
Release Date: December 29, 2018
Link to the Game: https://powerhoof.itch.io/kaiju-super-datetech
Images are screenshots taken by the author.
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