Many Faces: Console Edition
Developed by WANZUNGDEV/EastAsiaSoft Limited
Published by EastAsiaSoft Limited
Released for Xbox One (5/26/2020)
Also on Linux/PC/PS4/PS5/Switch
INTRO
Developed using GameMaker Studio 2, Many Faces was originally created by Chicago-based WANZUNGDEV, which on his Twitter page states that he's just "an ordinary IT guy with a passion for retro and indie video games." It's hard not to admire games that were developed by a single person that manage to make it onto the storefronts of potentially millions of video game consoles. Many Faces was ported and published to home consoles thanks to EastAsiaSoft, a company which has released a steady stream of ports on the Xbox One over the last several years. Many Faces is a multi-directional shooter inspired by arcade classics, so right away this one had my interest on that alone. Let's take a look at the game and see if it's something worth investing your dollar & time into...
PRESENTATION
Let's just get it right out of the way: Many Faces is not easy on the eyes. The graphics attempt to mimic the look of an early 80's arcade game, but with this simplicity comes an appearance devoid of much charm, detail or personality. The menus are easy to use but bare-bones, but the option to turn on a cross hair to make aiming easier is appreciated. To accompany the retro graphic design, there is a chiptune soundtrack that sounds like something of the era. While the music works well enough with the graphic style, none of the compositions are memorable or stand out in any way.
The main character design is uninspired to say the least: he's just simply a white circle with a basic face drawn on it. There's some decent variety when it comes to the enemy designs, the problem is that most of them are boring, coming in the form of simple shapes that are difficult to tell if they're supposed to represent something. There are nods to 80's culture, with one enemy looking like a Tie-Fighter ship from Star Wars and another that looks like Evil Otto from the arcade classic Berzerk. While the nostalgic throwbacks are cool, the majority of the enemy designs are just as immediately forgettable as the lackluster stage designs, which we'll get to shortly...
GAMEPLAY/CONTROLS
After taking a look at a screenshot or two, one might expect Many Faces to play similar to Bubble Bobble, since the game takes place on single-screen stages that look very similar to that series. Many Faces is actually a mix of the platformer and run & gun genres with a twin-stick shooter-style aiming setup. This is an interesting idea but unfortunately Many Faces falters in the execution on several fronts. The control scheme is simple with only a button to jump, another to fire and the right analog stick controls your aiming. Pressing down and the jump button allows your character to roll, which allows you to dodge enemy attacks. The control scheme functions okay but it's disappointing that there's no option to reassign the buttons to your liking. In a game where you have to use the right trigger to fire your weapon, it feels strange and unnatural having to use the A button to jump. The obvious decision would have been to map the jump button to the left trigger so you wouldn't have to constantly alternate between the face and trigger buttons. As it is the control layout will take some time getting used to and never really felt natural even after spending some time with the game. Another complaint regarding the gameplay is that enemy projectiles will pass straight through platforms but you're bullets do not, which just seems unfair in some instances.
Upon completing a stage, you'll find a treasure chest which will contain a random hat. These hats work as power-ups and have a wide range of effects, some which are more desirable than others. Using the dodge roll will also remove any hat that you're currently wearing, which can be handy for getting rid of some of the less effective hats. The level design is randomized, which we've seen work in countless games before but in Many Faces it works against the game. The levels feel randomly-generated and consist of a set of 4 enemies that spawn in, followed by 2 more that spawn in after you kill the 1st wave. If that all sounds boring, it's because it is. There will be platforms scattered about, but due to the random nature of the layouts the setups are never too interesting and it quickly becomes hard to distinguish one level from the last as they feel too similar.
Every 4th stage you'll face off against a boss, which is randomly selected from 6 different possible encounters. These boss fights are easily the highlight of the game and there is some fun to be had in these sections of the game. If you can make it to stage 16, you'll face off against the final boss of the game, but getting there can be difficult if you don't end up getting some good power-ups along the way.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Many Faces tried to do a mashup of the single-screen action-platformer and run 'n gun shooter, but in the end it doesn't really pull off either genre with much success. The randomized levels really hurt the game, with each stage feeling just as uninspired and boring as the last. There are some good ideas in Many Faces and the boss battles are easily the highlight of the package, but they don't make up for the rest of the games shortcomings. The achievements can easily be unlocked in under an hour, so if you're just looking for some easy gamerscore than you might want this one. If you're just on the lookout for retro-styled arcade throwbacks, there are dozens upon dozens of other releases on the Xbox One that will fill that niche and are far more worthy of your time.
Final Verdict: Many Faces is a throwback to retro arcade games, with gameplay featuring elements of platforming and run 'n gun titles. While there are some good ideas here, the game itself is only slightly above mediocre. Many Faces features an easy set of achievements to unlock, leaving this one for those seeking some easy gamerscore.
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