Shiny
Overview -
'Shiny' is the first game from Garage 227, a Brazilian studio also working on 'Dead Flowers'.
Video Review
Kramer's model looks decent in its kind of junky robotness, with a higher level of detail, but the same cannot be said for the rest of 'Shiny'. Animation is simple and the textures are bland and scratchy, even on the highest settings. Edges are rough and the UI is blocky and fuzzy. Dealing with the camera is a struggle because it has a hard time keeping up with Kramer's fast movement, and would be very convenient if it zoomed out a bit automatically during the larger levels. The framerate stays at or around 60 for most of the runtime.
Audio Review
The audio is the bright spot of 'Shiny', at least the score. It manages to achieve the bright nostalgia that the rest of the game tries so hard to evoke, adding an emotional element to the few poignant instances where Kramer helps his buds. The mechanical, industrial sound effects are on the generic side.
Final Thoughts
'Shiny' is very lightweight, too lightweight for its own good, in fact. It wants to tap into the ongoing retro platform revival that's so popular in the indie scene, but is a clunky, clumsy imitation without many redeeming qualities.