Stagehand: A Reverse Platformer

Stagehand is incredibly charming. It is, as it says, a reverse platformer – but I see it as an endless runner. And yes, I guess you could lump this in with something like Flappy Bird or its ilk, I guess? But the beauty of Stagehand is the small touches that make it great. The music and graphics are a delight, and there's both a humor and homage in the game that really sets it apart. It reminds me of games from the early 80s that felt like humans made them, and not algorithms. At first I was a little discouraged with the game, as I felt the pace was too fast. But I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. Such joy and happiness for two bucks.

I've played every game from the developers of this game, and this one may be my favorite one yet. A novel concept wherein you move around the various platforms in the game to give your character safe passage, instead of directly manipulating your character. It's perfect for quick sessions while in line or yeah, in the bathroom. The soundtrack is great as always, and I really appreciate the little touches that add even more polish to this treat of a game, such as the haptic feedback, and the retro yet clean interface. I particularly enjoy the clock and battery meter in the pause menu. Ok I have to finish this and go play some more. It'll be nice to see if there are updates coming, maybe more music, or maybe even power-ups. However I do love it as it's currently presented.

Stagehand brilliantly reimagining the classic jump-and-run platformer for a touch interface in a way that subverts the entire genre. Frankly, it's amazing nobody came up with it first. This is the game Mario Run should've been, a game that deeply understands its platform. Be warned: Stagehand is hard, but never unfair. If you fail, it's because you messed up. Which means you can FEEL yourself get better and better as you play, unlocking new characters and going deeper into the world. Oh, and I love the music so much, I find myself singing it around the house.