With the enormous popularity of ‘match three’ games, there’s a wide selection to choose from when wanting to delve into this genre. Each with their specific themes and twists, there’s definitely one that will be to your liking. Amongst these kind of games comes UFO Dad that adds a platformer twist, burgers, a modern family, and aliens. When I first saw UFO Dad, a game that I honestly didn’t expect to get too much out of it, although this definitely changed the more I played it and strived toward obtaining a better score. So, does UFO Dad go above and beyond and surprise me even more? Let’s take a look.
There is a semblance of a story here. UFOs appear in the backyard of a suburban family and they attempt to abduct them and their burgers. Even though there isn’t truly a strong story per se, it’s understandable as its point is to provide a mere theme. While you start off playing as the Dad of the family, you progress through the game and unlock more characters such as the son or mother. Your goal is to avoid being abducted or squished by falling blocks while racking up points by matching three same coloured burgers. Simple and straightforward right?
As much as the game starts out easy and simple, it definitely rises in difficulty as you play resulting in an intense and eventually hectic game. Like most match three games, not only do you work with what’s currently on the screen, you also have to plan ahead for the unknown. Things might perfectly fall into place or they may fall in such a way that they ruin your plans in the worst way possible. With moveable and unbreakable blocks, chainable burger blocks, and even explosive charcoal BBQs, how you rack up the points is unlimited.
Controls rely on the d-pad for movement, x button to jump, and square button to move blocks with the trusty spatula. Using the d-pad and square button you can choose whether to hit the blocks above, below, or to the left or right depending on the situation. Burger blocks can also be hit in mid-air to send them flying towards the other side of the level.
Visually, UFO Dad is sharp and crisp with no conspicuous flaws found. With its colourful block pieces and characters, the graphics are pleasing and are easy to distinguish allowing you to efficiently put your plans to action. Character design is simple but has a little bit of charm in portraying a suburban modern family. Animations of blocks falling into place and character movement is smooth and fluid. All in all, graphics aren’t an issue anywhere and feels perfectly matched in rhythm with the sounds and music.
The games sound is limited to the soundtrack and sound effects; no voice acting is portrayed in the game. The soundtrack or background music seems to be based off one song as it becomes more intense, sad, happy, or back to simple throughout the level. Furthermore, the background music seems to be the same in the intro as well, or at least very similar. When the background music did escalate or change it was quite well done it adds to the intensity and feeling of gameplay. Sound effects definitely add life to the game whether it’s your character jumping or moving the blocks; they feel natural and fit right in.
With its quirky and silly mash up of burgers, a modern family, and aliens, this match three platformer actually does some justice as an indie game. That being said, even though UFO Dad contains all the right elements of a match three platformer game, it’s missing that spark and speciality that makes it appealing and admirable. It simply stands as a slightly above average game for its price but nothing else more. Although future DLC is said to be on its way, I can only hope UFO Dad will be expanded and be given the spark it needs.
