Free for All: Dumb Ways Review

Release Date: Out now
Developer: Quest 3
PlaySide Studios LTDPrice:
$19.99Free for All sets you up as one of the iconic Dumb Ways To Die ‘Beans’, a jolly holiday-goer whose idea of relaxing includes feeding hungry bears color-coordinated meals and fishing for gold in a sea of active mines. You’ll be able to earn experience points, unlock cosmetics and take part in a series of WarioWare like activities as you progress through a number of Tours. Free For All has a very simple concept, but the absurd setting is still convincing and keeps you rooted in this perilous fantasy. The simple control scheme uses the grip button for grabbing and holding items, the trigger for shooting projectiles and joysticks for turning in place. The focus is on your speed and reflexes, not the movement of objects within each level. You’ll find that the items in the Tours are similar to real world items such as bowling ball and slingshots. This makes it easy for you to use them, no matter what situation you may be placed in. This is also helped by the similarities in tools and activities, so once you have mastered a few, it’s easy to understand others. In one task, you must use a spear and avoid explosives to stabbing slippery fish. Then, when I had to crush crawling crabs using a large mallet and avoid the same bombs, it was a similar situation. The simplicity and overlap of the physicality makes it simple to get started and adapt, even though both tasks are thematically opposed. This repetition can be a two-edged blade, though, because certain tasks may become boring and uninteresting over time. The inconsistency with which certain things interact, such as when certain items don’t recognize my inputs or movements, doesn’t help. They didn’t happen very often, but they did occur when I moved quickly. The games still rely on speed, but the unpredictable nature of the systems can be frustrating. I often miss opportunities to get better scores. Once you’ve reached the last mini-game of the tour, Dumb Ways Free for All will throw you a curveball in the form a weather alert, increasing the challenge of the next task by adding visual complications such as rain or fog. The change in pace not only keeps you moving forward as your arms begin to hurt from the movement, but also gives a good impression at the end of the run to help reduce frustration. When I was not playing dangerous games like football with a giant crab or swatting at mosquitos, I enjoyed the dual-wielding of hot-chip handguns. You can select your preferred game mode (solo or multiplayer), change the outfit of your character, and adjust settings. The hub’s movement is restricted to warping and pointing to arrows, which is unfortunate because it would have been nice to see the set dressings between Tours. Ultimately, Dumb Ways: Free for All isn’t as concerned with exploration or narrative as much as it is interested in getting you to jump back into its attention-grabbing minigames.
Even if you can’t touch the broader world around you, it’s still visually enticing. The vibrant candy-colored backgrounds frame beaches and rain forests, while a boisterous, upbeat soundtrack maintains an energy. My fellow Beans are sprinkled in the levels, either strung in trees or in burning buildings. Their slapstick humor adds to the atmosphere. It’s not every level that’s a success, but the signature Dumb Ways to Die tune is sure to make you smile. Often, Dumb Ways: Free for All reminded me of the way brightly lit arcades teeter between overwhelming and exciting, charming you in with the promise of serotonin hits and high scores.Movement in Dumb Ways: Free for All uses artificial stick-based locomotion limited to teleporting between static sections. The fixed-style is used in all minigames. You remain in one place and use button inputs or arm movements to interact with your environment. You can use the Quest 3 recentering feature to reposition your body in any position you prefer. There isn’t a specific standing mode, but it allows for a more comfortable experience. The central hub allows you to adjust the degrees of rotation by using the thumbstick. Although I did not get to test this feature before release, I am eager to tackle some of these challenges with my friends. The arcade game Dumb Ways Free for All has a bouncy music and an endearing sense of silliness that makes it a fun experience. Dumb Ways: Free for All is a solid way to spend an afternoon, if not just because of the triceps workout. Still, with its unique set dressing, slapstick comedy, and a handful of standout levels peppered throughout, Dumb Ways: Free For All is a solid way to spend an afternoon, if not just for the great triceps workout.