As much as this is literally Wario Land 4 but better, I can't BELIEVE how good this game is. Seriously, I haven't seen a platformer this well-refined since Celeste. Talk about a mechanically ingenious MASTERWORK. Pizza Tower never ceases to amaze you with its innovative, masterfully designed levels, infinitely replayable gimmicks that could almost be flat-out game mechanics on their own, hysterical knack for visual comedy, and, of course, the GLORIOUS SOUNDTRACK. It's honestly mind-blowing how this game nails every single department; my jaw was literally on the floor in so many instances during my playthrough.
Firstly, I want to point out just how absurdly spectacular this game is from a technical standpoint. The gameplay is extremely unique, and it feels SO DARN GOOD. The levels crafted around the wall-running, momentum-building core mechanics are impeccable. They also always throw in new, level-exclusive gimmicks that enhance the standard gameplay, à la the Donkey Kong Country series, so you're always looking forward for what the next level's got in store for you, making for a consistently fresh experience that you can't get enough of. Couple that with a high-spirited, leitmotif-heavy, banger of a soundtrack that manages to capture each level's vibe (as well as the adrenaline for the intense Pizza Time & Lap 2 sequences) and you've got yourself an infinitely replayable masterpiece.
The replay value being this good is crucial for this game in my opinion. When it comes to the completionist side, Pizza Tower demands A LOT out of you. To get a P Rank in a level, you must keep up a combo throughout the entire stage (including the backtrack sequences), and that requires a lot of trial & error, level knowledge, specific strats, and mechanic mastering, which means you'll be stuck in these stages for hours sometimes if you're going for 100%. Was I bored for a single second during those grinds? Absolutely not. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's SO REWARDING to see your skills slowly improving with each attempt, your grasp on the mechanics firming up, and when you least expect it, you're naturally performing stunts you never thought you'd be able to at first. Peppino's move set is so vast that there are no limits to how certain sections can be approached. You're encouraged to develop your own playstyle, try out new techniques, and that's what keeps the overall experience so fresh and satisfying. Pizza Tower never gets old, because as your skill level raises, you're able to DESIGN YOUR OWN WAY THROUGH THE LEVEL, turning it into almost a full-fledged new stage altogether. There's literally no better compliment I can give to a platformer.
I'd also like to quickly credit the amazing direction of this game. The difficulty curve is excellent, there's a very natural progression to the challenges in each level & boss. The visual gags are hilarious; they took the most out of the MS-Paint-esque art style here, and I can assure you this game's going to take at least a laugh out of you. However, what I really want to point out about the direction is specifically the final level. I don't want to spoil it here, but let's just say I have never been this impressed with a final stage since Celeste. The foreshadowing, the buildup, the way it all comes together at the end, THE BONE-CHILLING MUSIC, GOOD GRIEF, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLAY THIS GAME. I am not lying when I say I nearly cried out of how MIND-BLOWING it was. That's how amazing this game is.
Pizza Tower is one of the best platformers- no, GAMES I've ever played, and that's saying a LOT. The culmination of brilliant level design, flawless gameplay, pristine soundtrack, and endless replayability is what brings it to the Hall of Fame of the genre. You know an artwork is a masterpiece when you have literally nothing to complain about it. Pizza Tower is a modern classic that I think anyone (especially platformer fans) must play before they die. Which might happen tomorrow, so please do yourself a favor if you haven't already.
Firstly, I want to point out just how absurdly spectacular this game is from a technical standpoint. The gameplay is extremely unique, and it feels SO DARN GOOD. The levels crafted around the wall-running, momentum-building core mechanics are impeccable. They also always throw in new, level-exclusive gimmicks that enhance the standard gameplay, à la the Donkey Kong Country series, so you're always looking forward for what the next level's got in store for you, making for a consistently fresh experience that you can't get enough of. Couple that with a high-spirited, leitmotif-heavy, banger of a soundtrack that manages to capture each level's vibe (as well as the adrenaline for the intense Pizza Time & Lap 2 sequences) and you've got yourself an infinitely replayable masterpiece.
The replay value being this good is crucial for this game in my opinion. When it comes to the completionist side, Pizza Tower demands A LOT out of you. To get a P Rank in a level, you must keep up a combo throughout the entire stage (including the backtrack sequences), and that requires a lot of trial & error, level knowledge, specific strats, and mechanic mastering, which means you'll be stuck in these stages for hours sometimes if you're going for 100%. Was I bored for a single second during those grinds? Absolutely not. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's SO REWARDING to see your skills slowly improving with each attempt, your grasp on the mechanics firming up, and when you least expect it, you're naturally performing stunts you never thought you'd be able to at first. Peppino's move set is so vast that there are no limits to how certain sections can be approached. You're encouraged to develop your own playstyle, try out new techniques, and that's what keeps the overall experience so fresh and satisfying. Pizza Tower never gets old, because as your skill level raises, you're able to DESIGN YOUR OWN WAY THROUGH THE LEVEL, turning it into almost a full-fledged new stage altogether. There's literally no better compliment I can give to a platformer.
I'd also like to quickly credit the amazing direction of this game. The difficulty curve is excellent, there's a very natural progression to the challenges in each level & boss. The visual gags are hilarious; they took the most out of the MS-Paint-esque art style here, and I can assure you this game's going to take at least a laugh out of you. However, what I really want to point out about the direction is specifically the final level. I don't want to spoil it here, but let's just say I have never been this impressed with a final stage since Celeste. The foreshadowing, the buildup, the way it all comes together at the end, THE BONE-CHILLING MUSIC, GOOD GRIEF, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLAY THIS GAME. I am not lying when I say I nearly cried out of how MIND-BLOWING it was. That's how amazing this game is.
Pizza Tower is one of the best platformers- no, GAMES I've ever played, and that's saying a LOT. The culmination of brilliant level design, flawless gameplay, pristine soundtrack, and endless replayability is what brings it to the Hall of Fame of the genre. You know an artwork is a masterpiece when you have literally nothing to complain about it. Pizza Tower is a modern classic that I think anyone (especially platformer fans) must play before they die. Which might happen tomorrow, so please do yourself a favor if you haven't already.