Denudation: Destroying and Absorbing Action!

Developer: Zillix

Publisher: (Posted on) NewGrounds

Format: PC (Browser/Adobe Flash)

Denudation is a 2D action platformer where you fight one boss, with all the different phases it has. You start off as a little guy with a dinky little sword, but as you progress you grow much bigger and stronger. Growing stronger isn't done via experience in this game, but instead does it in a much more unique way. It's leveling up system also does another thing in a unique way, being the destroyable terrain.

There are certain parts of the small level you fight on that can be destroyed, and when they are they break down into separate blocks that you can then absorb to grow more powerful. These blocks are essentially a form of currency, allowing you to do a lot of different things. You can air-jump and shoot projectiles with these blocks. How many times you can do these things depends on how many blocks you currently have. Every time you air-jump or whenever a projectile hits something the original block is returned to normal, meaning that the blocks are a renewable energy source. This means that going ahead and destroying everything to become stronger would be the speed running tactic.

The main problem with the blocks is when you get hit. Once you are hit by the boss (which is very possible during the last phase) all of your blocks expose out from you and you respawn at the bottom of the boss. It's not a lot of backtracking, but it is a lot of recollecting blocks again and again. Your blocks can actually block the boss's projectiles, so it'd make sense if there was a shield option that just surrounds you in a temporary circle of blocks, using a lot of blocks at the price of ton loosing all of them. Just a thought.

The boss has about 4 phases, each with a specific weak spot that moves to a new location each phase. Your goal is always the same, attack the boss's core, but how you go about doing so is always different because it's in a new place and thus a new situation for you to deal with. Each one isn't too long, although the last one can be a bit hard. The difficulty kinda spikes durring the last phase, leading to a lot of frustrating moments and recollecting blocks.

In the end, this game is short and sweet, including the secret ending. If you have a bit of spare time, I'd suggest giving it a try. It's got a unique concept that it does well. I'd like to see more of this game, maybe with a different boss each game. That sounds cool, does it not?

Play Denudation HERE

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