We previously reported on Flynn’s Arcade’s announcement that they were releasing Goliath Depot for Nintendo Switch, following that post, we’ve had the chance to play the game, so here’s our Goliath Depot Switch review…
In the game, Goliath Corporation is the top store chain in the world even though nobody knows how they got there. You play as an employee working his night shift at the Goliath Depot warehouse when suddenly, on a stormy night, you notice suspicious blue doors appearing all over the complex.
Could that plot be inspired by a certain ubiquitous online retailer, perchance?
Anyway, as well as the game’s story, the story of how the game came to be is also rather interesting…
Goliath Depot’s development started out as a joke challenge on Twitch!
The game’s developer Vidvad Games (SuperMegaDav on Twitch) is a former speedrun world record holder for Hotel Mario. One day, he decided to challenge himself to remake the first level of Hotel Mario from scratch in less than 12 hours using the Godot Engine. This vecame the foundation of the game that was then reworked to be a spiritual sequel that would become Goliath Depot. It was developed between June and December 2023.
But this is meant to be a Goliath Depot Switch review, not a potted history of Goliath Depot (though it’s turned out to be both!)
The game itself is an 80s-style single-screen platformer, in which the aim of the game is to close all the mysterious open doors on each level, so, does the emphasis on shutting that door mean it would’ve been Larry Grayson’s favourite game? (One for the teenagers, there.)
While Goliath Depot plays exactly how one would expect a1980s arcade game to play, there are a couple of concessions to modern life, but they only serve to enhance the experience, rather than detracting from the pure retro arcade gameplay on offer. For example, coins collected in-game can be used to buy a continue once you die (and you will!) Also, the graphics are a little smoother around the edges than one would have found in a game from the 80s
Goliath Depot may have begun life as a joke, but the final game is certainly no joke and is an infuriatingly addictive 80s-style platformer that you just can’t stop playing, especially if you get killed just as you’re about to finish a level, leading to that inevitable “one more go”! Goliath Depot plays brilliantly, has well-designed levels, and is yet another neo-retro arcade masterpiece from those curators of indie arcade greatness at Flynn’s Arcade.
The door is open for you to wishlist Goliath Depot on the eshop now, prior to its release on 30th May 2024.
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