Nate, a demon burdened with questionable taste, dutifully carries out Beelzebub’s directives. His current task involves assisting the underworld’s chef in crafting a truly hellish meal, a feat complicated by the difficulty in procuring the necessary ingredients. He is accompanied by Nugget, a diminutive, nude cherub tethered to him to prevent his escape. This portly cherub serves a dual purpose, functioning as both a weapon and a means of traversal when Nate needs to overcome significant gaps.
Hell Pie‘s marketing campaign features a censored trailer highlighting the game’s supposedly obscene and outrageous nature. While the initial glimpse of the avatar does depict a suggestive scene at his desk, the actual gameplay experience remains relatively restrained.
The game features appealing and vibrant graphics, complemented by well-executed animations and competent voice acting. While not technically groundbreaking, the game performs admirably. On the Xbox Series S, I encountered no performance issues, benefiting from rapid loading times and a smooth overall experience.
The strength of Hell Pie lies in its core mechanics. The developers have successfully implemented an engaging gameplay loop. Nugget, the chained companion, serves not only as a weapon, capable of being swung to attack enemies, but also as a pivotal tool for traversing gaps. Mastering the swinging mechanic requires practice, but proves to be a highly enjoyable aspect of the game.
However, there were instances where the camera struggled to maintain an optimal view, leading to missed jumps and occasional frustration.
The game incorporates a standard upgrade system, allowing for enhancements to the interaction between Nate and Nugget. Additionally, players can discover new horns, each providing unique functionalities, incentivizing the strategic selection of the appropriate horn for specific situations.
In conclusion, while Hell Pie‘s attempts at being overtly “edgy” may fall short, it remains a highly entertaining and enjoyable platformer, warranting a recommendation.
Sluggerfly provided a review copy for this evaluation. Content providers do not influence our editorial process.
