It’s a neat effect that adds to the charm. A large hammer in the background for example springs towards the screen, before retracting to allow safe passage. Although the game is presented in 2.5D, that point five of extra dimension is used by the obstacles around Ayo rather than Ayo himself, who tends to follow the 2D plane. With a broken boot on his head, Ayo becomes a fire-breathing dragon, able to burn buildings, tanks, and helicopters in his path.Ĭharacter animation is filled with personality, and the scenery changes often enough to keep the visuals fresh.
The occasional boss fights also mix up gameplay requirements. These creative interludes are indicative of an intention to keep the player on their toes. Ayo may temporarily gain a tank, or don an upturned boot and become a fire-breathing dinosaur, burning everything in its path to gain gems. These brief appeals for help offer interesting diversions, but the game also features sections within its levels that completely change the dynamic. Often, they will give you a task to complete in order to gain an extra ability for example, a fairy requests that you help her find some yummy chocolate, while the mayor asks that you clear the area of rampaging rats. This is particularly apparent by the option to tweak the difficulty level Cloud M1 has ensured anyone is capable of coming along for the ride.Ĭertain moments in each level are divided by brief cut scenes, in which you’ll come across a friendly character. Spikes and bottomless falls off-screen are amongst the hazards in your way, but generally Ayo The Clown doesn’t offer too much of a challenge. Certain power-ups can also be found that offer a limited amount of usage, including water balloons that can be lobbed ahead, and a wooden sword to take swipes at enemies who are proving to be a more immediate threat. Enemies can be defeated with a jump on their heads, although on occasion the collision detection may seem a little too pixel-specific in its requirements. There are often subtle clues in the landscape to indicate a direction worth exploring, one of those classic Nintendo devices, right there. Levels usually follow a left to right path, but there’s an element of exploration both above and below to find hidden gems and collectibles.
That wooden sword will come in handy for defence. It’s a satisfying variant of a double-jump ability that soon becomes second nature.Īyo travels through various gorgeous 2.5D environments. Once Ayo gains a little red balloon, his jump ability has a little extra lift: press B once to jump, and then hold B while he’s in the air for Ayo to inflate his balloon to levitate that little bit further. It’s not long before he gains his jumping shoes, but nevertheless it is refreshing to play a platform game that doesn’t want you to take anything for granted. This skill – like others throughout the game – is introduced when our clown completes a certain task during the side-scrolling levels. This may be a platformer, but initially Ayo doesn’t even have the luxury of a jump ability.
Things take a surprising turn from the beginning. But this obvious copycat behaviour shouldn’t be interpreted as a criticism, because Ayo sprinkles on enough ideas of its own.Īyo’s adventure begins without the aid of a jump ability, but his skills increase as the game progresses. It’s there in the cutesy characters, jolly tunes, playful spot effects, and soft-focus backgrounds. Looking further back, Kirby’s Epic Yarn (Wii) might be another influence.
Specifically, there’s a very obvious Yoshi’s Crafted World feel to proceedings. Developer Cloud M1 has evidently learned from the best, with plenty of Nintendo’s DNA running through Ayo The Clown’s veins. This task is presented in the form of a gloriously cute 2.5D platform game, and it only takes a few steps in Ayo’s oversized shoes to spot the major sources of inspiration here. His faithful dog has gone missing, and so the only course of action is to put on his bravest clown face and find his four-legged buddy. Regardless of how your day is going – good or bad – you’ll be called upon to entertain people and make them laugh with some slapstick action and a plentiful plastering of face paint.
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