Peglin

Peglin is an adventure where you use a ball bounce instead of a weapon. A small green creature with big ears goes into the forest to deal with the dragons that are stealing and eating his relatives, and the only available way to fight is to launch metal balls at a spiked board. The mechanic combines arcade bounce with RPG elements: each launch is a hit, and special tiles are placed on the board that provide additional effects. I made a mistake in my calculations - I was left without damage, and the enemy responded. As you progress, you collect relics and items that change the rules and add new combinations. The structure is racing: the path is divided into routes with a choice of the next step, so each descent is different from the previous one. There are also bosses where you need not only luck, but also an understanding of how the current build works. It’s also worth noting that relics and items come together in unexpected combinations: one thing increases damage, another adds new tiles to the board, a third turns a miss into a useful effect. It is from these connections that a feeling of novelty is born even on familiar routes. The race takes a little time, so I want to try a different build immediately after losing. It is also worth noting that in a race you can lose almost everything because of one unsuccessful series, and this makes the victory truly pleasant. The graphics are deliberately simple, pixelated, the music is peppy. The Peglin is well suited for short sessions and does not require preparation: you can understand the rules in one go, but you won’t be able to win right away.