Akka Arrh ( And here it is ! )

[binary]

Akka Arrh is going up on Limited Run later today. There are physical copies on PS4, PS5 and Switch with standard and limited editions for each. Pre-ordered close on April 9th. I expect we'll have to go through the standard LR year long wait to get them so go digital for now!

[Valgalder]

Very happy to see a physical release.. not a huge fan of Limited Run, however, and I must say I don't know how much input Llamasoft guys had on the deluxe package, but it's a bit underwhelming. (some stickers, a pin and a couple art cards, for and additional 30 buck?) Still gonna pick up a physical release though no matter what. Total support as always.

[binary]

I think Limited Run are infinitely better now they use an open order window and have ditched the previous business model which must created its own scalper market by instantly selling out most titles. That's said, the manufacturing times are insane and there's no way you'd order anything you wanted to play anytime soon. I totally agree that the limited edition does seem to be a Limited Run cookie cutter effort.

[Justino]

Long time fan and lapsed Yakyak poster but I had to come back on here to say a few words on Akka Arrh.

It's my favourite game I've played this year and has resulted on the PSVR2 I recently purchased gathering dust as I just can't stop playing this. It is so addictive!

The chaining mechanic is so satisfying, and I've found that I need to treat each level as a puzzle and once what seemed impossible switches so that I can dominate. The layering of understanding you gain as the game reveals its charm and depth, learning how you can use an enemy's characteristics for your own good and get into that 'zone' that is such a rare thing in games these days.

Things that felt unfair become understood - no more so than the importance of audio. I was getting pissed off with random bullets coming in at pace and so I thought without warning and it felt cheap. Then over time I learned there is an audio cue for everything. When an enemy with a bullet appears, when you shoot the bullet it leaves behind and when it's stopped travelling outwards and has started heading for you. That was a game changer.

I'm no video game expert but I am surprised to see that I'm #4 in the Normal Pure mode high score chart and #2 in the Hard mode - I hope this is because I am actually good and not because the game is not selling as this is just pure class. Maybe it could be added as paid DLC for the Atari 50 collection as it would fit in there nicely.

As you can tell - I absolutely love this game but there are a couple of things I would change. I would have the subdued scheme as the default and I would have two button control as the default. When I persevered with the defaults I found these things clumsy and distracting. Changing both made a big difference and if you're chasing scores you need the two button config - you'll rarely be pressing the bomb button. I know that psychedelia is an essential part of the Llamasoft experience and I love that too but for the first time it was bothering me and I would hate that to be a barrier to people's first experience of this. Have it as a 'Llamasoft' option maybe? I appreciate it's subjective but it's my 2cents.

Also - I love the trackpad controls on PS5. I have found them to be pretty solid after a little practice and essential if you're going to get through level 12 on Hard mode.

Thanks for such an amazing game - I'm going off to play some more now.

[Justino]

Long time fan and lapsed Yakyak poster but I had to come back on here to say a few words on Akka Arrh.

It's my favourite game I've played this year and has resulted on the PSVR2 I recently purchased gathering dust as I just can't stop playing this. It is so addictive!

The chaining mechanic is so satisfying, and I've found that I need to treat each level as a puzzle and once what seemed impossible switches so that I can dominate. The layering of understanding you gain as the game reveals its charm and depth, learning how you can use an enemy's characteristics for your own good and get into that 'zone' that is such a rare thing in games these days.

Things that felt unfair become understood - no more so than the importance of audio. I was getting pissed off with random bullets coming in at pace and so I thought without warning and it felt cheap. Then over time I learned there is an audio cue for everything. When an enemy with a bullet appears, when you shoot the bullet it leaves behind and when it's stopped travelling outwards and has started heading for you. That was a game changer.

I'm no video game expert but I am surprised to see that I'm #4 in the Normal Pure mode high score chart and #2 in the Hard mode - I hope this is because I am actually good and not because the game is not selling as this is just pure class. Maybe it could be added as paid DLC for the Atari 50 collection as it would fit in there nicely.

As you can tell - I absolutely love this game but there are a couple of things I would change. I would have the subdued scheme as the default and I would have two button control as the default. When I persevered with the defaults I found these things clumsy and distracting. Changing both made a big difference and if you're chasing scores you need the two button config - you'll rarely be pressing the bomb button. I know that psychedelia is an essential part of the Llamasoft experience and I love that too but for the first time it was bothering me and I would hate that to be a barrier to people's first experience of this. Have it as a 'Llamasoft' option maybe? I appreciate it's subjective but it's my 2cents.

Also - I love the trackpad controls on PS5. I have found them to be pretty solid after a little practice and essential if you're going to get through level 12 on Hard mode.

Thanks for such an amazing game - I'm going off to play some more now.

As it happened - I just finished it on Normal - what a ride - and the last three levels are just an amazing treat. Thank you Yak and Giles!

[MattyP]

Just pondering over whether to get this on PC or Xbox? From what I've read playing with the mouse might be the better way to go? Any opinions?

[Whiteball]

Mouse is definitely better for me over a controller.
I also use the seperate buttons option for bullets and bombs.

[Foozwah]

Just came back to the game after a bit over two weeks off (work commitments and then away a four day music festival) and decided to bite the neon bullet and switch from single button fire to two buttons since it felt like making a fresh start.

Only took two games then it suddenly clicked. Woah, what a difference! I went from an average score of around 19-20 million straight to over 35 million the next game, with a whole string of new level-bests along the way.

A nice side-effect was that I've also gone from dropping completely out of the top 44 on the Classic Mode high score table for Switch to back in at #29. Still a long way to go, but not feeling completely hopeless anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I still think single button works really well, and I believe that it helped to hook me into this game a lot quicker than I otherwise might have, but it's def two button all the way for me from here on.

[zbandito]

Interestingly, the arcade had 3 buttons. How do you Zoom in this one?

[Whiteball]

Interestingly, the arcade had 3 buttons. How do you Zoom in this one?

I use mouse and that's middle button.
So, left and right for bullets, bombs and middle to 'go downstairs'.

[Foozwah]

Interestingly, the arcade had 3 buttons. How do you Zoom in this one?

Oh sorry, when I was talking one or two button I was just focussed on firing layouts. On Switch it's right-trigger to duck downstairs; I assume it's something similar for PS4 and XBone.

[Foozwah]

Another exponential leap tonight: my Classic mode (Switch) high score jumped from 35 million to 61, so back on the first page of the table for the first time since launch, at #18.

I'm loving being able to test and evolve different strategies for certain levels, but also it's brilliant how much I simply enjoy playing this and immersing myself in the vibe. This might just be my favourite Llamasoft game since Llamatron/Minotron.

[Deckard]

12th with 39 million on Pure after a quick blast just now - havent had much time lately to play but will get into the top 5 on both Pure and Classic by next weekend I reckon....

Still not a fan of messing around "downstairs" but a few more hours should sort it out - I wish there was more screen shenanigans when the little blighters were down there like a real alarm noise or a screen shake rather thank just the shield around the turret etc

[WiteWulf]

Any progress on a fix for Steam Deck, yet? I saw the bug logged against Proton for it, too...

[g'daRn]

Ah, still enjoying the game. Just managed 98 million on PS4 (pure).
Nice.