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If you're a fan of hardcore platformers like Super Meat Boy or Celeste, you'll feel right at home with MainFrames. In addition to being a formidable challenge, this pixel-perfect adventure by Assoupi and The Arcade Crew is also funny and offers a welcome change of pace. Now let's look at the reasons why you absolutely must give the demo a go.
A Nostalgic Journey: From Floppy Disks to CRT Monitors
MainFrames starts you off in an old Windows desktop setting, where you play as Floppy, a tiny floppy disk navigating across desktop windows. The CRT flicker effect is a strong part of the game's retro style, which transports you to the Windows '95 era in an instant. The graphics aren't fancy, but the attention to detail and personality in every level give it a modern vibe that contradicts its nostalgic origins.
Brutal Yet Rewarding Platforming Mechanics
The difficulty level of MainFrames is suitable for those who like a good challenge. Wall jumps, double jumps and pinpoint timing are your specialty right from the start. Initially, a key character (pun intended...it's a literal key!) provides helpful hints, but the game quickly pulls the rug from under you and cranks up the difficulty. Accurate parkour skills, the ability to avoid certain death, and the aptitude to solve complex puzzles are all necessities for accomplishing each level. And just like Celeste and Super Meat Boy, death is never frustrating as respawning is immediate, pushing you to try, try again.
Ingenious Level Design Packed with Surprises
In spite of its small size and one-screen design, MainFrames does an excellent job of making each level feel like a new challenge. Ingeniously utilizing desktop windows and PC system components, the game transforms what appears to be a straightforward puzzle into a challenging one. Because the dynamics of each level are constantly changing, you'll never get bored playing them.
The game starts off easy, teaching you the ropes with wall jumps and double jumps, but it soon throws you a curveball. In MainFrames, one of the most distinctive features is the way it changes your surroundings. As if by magic, windows move, tabs open and close, and new components materialize. The entire layout of a level can change just by clicking a button or opening an alternate tab in your browser, so you'll have to be quick on your feet. Lightning-fast button presses are a must!
But it doesn’t stop there. The deeper you go into the demo, the more complex the levels become. All of a sudden, you're not merely moving from platform to platform; you're also saving sprites that have gone missing in order to unlock new areas, and you have to time your movements precisely to avoid hazards that new desktop layouts bring about. Layers of strategy are added to the core platforming by this dynamic environment, which keeps you guessing and planning ahead constantly.
The introduction of multiple paths within levels also shakes things up. There is an element of backtracking that is satisfying rather than tedious because some paths lead to new areas and others loop back to earlier sections of the game. What might have been a linear experience becomes substantially more open-ended thanks to this design's creation of interconnectedness within the levels. As you progress, you’ll find yourself revisiting certain areas that have now transformed thanks to your progression and allow you to reach once unreachable parts of the level.
Another clever aspect is the way MainFrames balances challenge with humor. The game isn't afraid to make fun of its own difficulty; there's plenty of witty banter and commentary about how ridiculous some of the tougher parts are. Bringing a touch of humor to the otherwise serious gameplay makes you laugh at your mistakes and gives you the motivation to try again.
Level design in MainFrames is all about learning to control and adapt to a world that's always changing, rather than simply about perfecting jumps and dodges.
Quirky Characters and a Fun Digital World
Although MainFrames is mainly a challenging platformer, its charming and humorous characters and dialogue add an extra dose of charm and humor. The story stays lighthearted thanks to Floppy's humorous encounters with daemons and other colorful programs. Without getting in the way of the action, the story gives the world you're exploring just the right amount of character and warmth. These amusing exchanges are only partially shown in the demo. I'm crossing my fingers that there will be a tonne more in the full game.
Pick Up and Play: Perfect for Steam Deck and On-the-Go Gaming
One of MainFrames’ strengths is how low-maintenance it is. Even in power-saving mode, the game runs perfectly on the Steam Deck without requiring any settings adjustments. With its compact design and nostalgic graphics, it runs smoothly, making it ideal for short gaming sessions. Whether you have five minutes or an hour to spare, MainFrames is a game you can easily jump into.
The minimalist, retro-inspired visuals look great on the Steam Deck as well. The pixelated visuals, combined with smooth performance, ensure that the game looks crisp and runs without any hiccups, even in the most complex levels. Even on lower settings, you'll enjoy a silky smooth experience on your Steam Deck.
In short, MainFrames is a low-maintenance, high-reward game that fits perfectly into handheld gaming. Whether you're using Steam Deck or not, this game is perfect for anyone seeking a challenging, entertaining, and portable experience thanks to its fast levels, fluid gameplay, and easy pick-up-and-play design. You can take your platforming adventure with you wherever you go with MainFrames, so you can play while commuting or while lounging on the couch.
Wishlist It Now: Full Release Coming Q1 2025
The MainFrames demo provides a promising sneak peek into what’s to come. The full game, expected in Q1 2025, looks set to deliver even more intricate levels, diverse challenges, and an expanded digital world to explore. Make sure to Wishlist it on Steam to stay updated on announcements and future news.
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