qomp2: A Captivating Reimagining of Pong with Unique Gameplay and Challenging Puzzles
When Atari first announced qomp2 as a reimagining of the arcade classic Pong, there was skepticism about how similar the two games would be. However, after completing all 30 levels in this puzzler developed by Graphite Lab, it became clear that qomp2 is the spiritual successor that Pong deserves. With its simple gameplay and devilishly difficult labyrinths, qomp2 provides an experience like no other.
The first qomp game unfortunately skipped the Nintendo Switch entirely, but its sequel is well worth checking out if you’re a fan of action puzzlers. In qomp2, you directly control the ball from Pong, which has grown tired of being whacked back and forth between two paddles and wants to explore the outside world. However, the outside world is a greyscale labyrinth filled with traps, enemies, and bosses, and it’s up to you to guide the ball to safety.
Controlling the ball in qomp2 is surprisingly simple, requiring only two buttons: ‘A’ and ‘ZR’. The ball moves up and down automatically at 45-degree angles, and tapping ‘A’ reverses your direction while holding down ‘ZR’ gives a short burst of speed. Navigating the environment efficiently involves bouncing the ball around and predicting its projected destination, much like lining up your shot with a paddle in Pong. This intuitive gameplay proves to be a novel and enjoyable means of traversal, although there are rare moments where you’ll be stuck going in one direction before being able to turn around.
One of the standout features in qomp2 is the boost ability. While the ball moves slightly slower than in the first game, the addition of the boost makes the slower pace more palatable. The boost ability allows you to slam the ball into blue-colored blocks or walls, smashing them to pieces or moving them across the environment. However, these blocks are often placed near spikes or lasers, requiring precise aim to avoid deadly traps.
As you progress through qomp2, new environments are introduced that directly affect how you can control the ball. Some areas prevent you from changing direction entirely, while others block access to the boost ability. Traveling underwater completely alters the ball’s physics, with holding down the boost button causing the ball to sink and tapping ‘A’ enabling you to swim up to the surface. The variety of environments on offer is impressive and ensures a consistently engaging experience throughout all 30 levels.
In addition to reaching the end goal, qomp2 also challenges players with various tasks such as flipping switches, moving barriers, tracing patterns, and guiding enemies to specific locations. Every 10 levels, the game presents a boss character, each with a unique design and an interesting method required to defeat them. One of the bosses is even based on an iconic Atari arcade/2600 title, providing a delightful surprise for fans.
While qomp2 does get fiendishly tricky in later stages, it strikes a decent balance between challenge and frustration. It never reaches the hair-pulling difficulty of Graphite Lab’s previous game, Mr. Run and Jump. Completing the game can take as little as three or four hours, although it may take longer if you’re keen on collecting all the optional tear-shaped trinkets hidden in each level. These collectibles often require navigating hazardous areas, adding a risk vs. reward element to the gameplay.
Visually, qomp2 prioritizes gameplay above all else. The greyscale environments are basic but effective, especially when combined with bright blue elements indicating interactable objects. The game maintains a smooth performance without dropping a single frame. There is a fish-eye filter enabled by default, but players have the option to disable it. The ambient soundtrack adds to the relaxing atmosphere, and the gentle ‘tok tok’ sound of the pong ball could almost be considered an ASMR trigger.
In conclusion, qomp2 is an excellent reimaging of Pong that pays homage to the classic arcade game while providing a unique experience for players without nostalgia for Atari’s masterpiece. With its interesting and engaging traversal mechanics, diverse obstacles, and challenging puzzles, qomp2 offers a compelling gameplay experience across its 30 stages. While a few more levels would have been appreciated, it’s a testament to the quality of the core game. If you enjoy quirky action-focused puzzlers with a unique hook, qomp2 is definitely worth your attention.
