Save me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San

 Switch
  • Publisher: Nicalis
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2018
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. CD-Action
    Nov 14, 2019
    65
    In these kind of moments it’s common to write about an ‘unfulfilled potential’ but after playing I can’t be bothered to do even that. Although it takes just one look at the game’s aesthetics to see how well and honestly the developer was able to render the Game Boy-pretend visuals. [13/2018, p.74]
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  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 26, 2019
    65
    If you enjoy stressful games, then Mr. Tako may just be your next best friend. [Issue #37 – January/February 2019, p. 18]
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  3. GameCritics
    Jan 17, 2019
    65
    Save Me Mr Tako is a cheery delight with surprisingly thought-provoking dialogue, but I could only perform the same gameplay for so long. Ultimately, the experience wasn’t engaging enough to push me through to the conclusion, but I wish Mr. Tako the best in his efforts to end the tragic conflict between octopi and humans.
  5. Destructoid
    Nov 11, 2018
    65
    Save me Mr Tako successfully apes a period of gaming history, but I just wish it had shed a few of the more tiresome tropes from that time. If you're part of the niche audience that this is catering to, you'll find a fun romp down what feels like memory lane. For everyone else, I'd proceed with caution.
  6. GamingTrend
    Feb 21, 2019
    60
    Save Me Mr. Tako is a decent 2D platformer with some great presentation and a loving throwback to the 2D platformers of the 90s, but unfortunately feels a bit too frustrating to enjoy for long periods of time.
  7. Switch Player
    Nov 8, 2018
    60
    Save Me Mr. Tako! succeeds in its aim of recreating a Game Boy game. Unfortunately, that is all that it succeeds in. It is a competent game but relies too much on cheap deaths to pad out its mediocre gameplay.
  8. Video Chums
    Nov 7, 2018
    60
    Gliding around while shooting ink to turn enemies into platforms is indeed fun but Save me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San is still an old-school 2D platformer that could have done much more to stand out in such a crowded genre.
  9. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Oct 30, 2018
    60
    If you can look past Mr. Tako‘s frustrations, you’ll find a heartwarming story with various intricacies that call attention to the cruelty of the world. If you cannot, you will find that the game’s visuals, sound, and a tale of love and peace conquering hatred and war aren’t enough to save it from its myriad gameplay issues.
  10. Nintenderos
    Dec 28, 2018
    52
    The game tries to take us back to the past, but it is a product lacking its own personality and full of elements that can be frustrating. Save Me, Mr. Tako! must correct many mistakes if it wants to offer a truly fun experience.
  11. Cubed3
    Dec 28, 2018
    50
    The charming Game Boy style sprites can only go so far until all that is left is a very mundane platformer.
  12. FNintendo
    Dec 1, 2018
    50
    Save me Mr. Tako! has all the elements to appeal to its target audience, namely those who are looking for an experience reminiscent of games made for the Game Boy. While it does part of its job correctly, there are several points that need to be addressed, such as its rather frustrating controls, the somewhat unnatural difficulty level and lack of inspiration in some of the levels.
  13. Gameblog.fr
    Nov 12, 2018
    50
    Under its good looks as a true Game Boy hommage, Save me Mr Tako only delivers the bare minimum: its uninspired level design sometimes try to hide a story which you should not give too much attention to. Save me Mr Tako is simply way too classical to face the strong opponents it has to face.
  14. We Got This Covered
    Oct 30, 2018
    50
    As charming as it may appear, Save me Mr. Tako never convinced me it was being genuine. Barebones level design, poor writing, and frustrating design choices make this overly-sweet experience nauseating.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. magicmush
    Sep 12, 2019
    2
    In it's adoration of the Gameboy Classic, Save Me Mr Tako is blinded to new advances in gameplay and comes across as trying, and failing, toIn it's adoration of the Gameboy Classic, Save Me Mr Tako is blinded to new advances in gameplay and comes across as trying, and failing, to emulate Shovel Knight's brilliant use of nostalgia. It fails to innovate, therefore coming across less as a love letter and moreso as a blind circlejerk, failing to throw away what didn't work in the Gameboy era.
    The game's creator inserts political issues which serve no relevance to the game whatsoever, and feel very forced into an otherwise fantasy-based game.    … Full Review »
  2. Arboricolor
    Nov 6, 2018
    10
    Tasukete Tako San is a wonderful nostalgia trip, it's a game worth to buy and try that will remind you the golden time of gameboy playingTasukete Tako San is a wonderful nostalgia trip, it's a game worth to buy and try that will remind you the golden time of gameboy playing hiden in your blanket fort with a hot chocolate mug.
    The gameplay is good, the idea to transform enemy into platform encourage exploration and secret discovering.    … Full Review »
  3. Chenanigans
    Jan 22, 2019
    8
    Being a big fan of Game Boy games, such as Kirby's Dreamland and Kirby's Dreamland 2, and octopuses, I was super excited to play it. It'sBeing a big fan of Game Boy games, such as Kirby's Dreamland and Kirby's Dreamland 2, and octopuses, I was super excited to play it. It's super nostalgic and a real love letter to classic handheld games.

    Pros:
    - You can change the colour palette, border, and screen resolution. I personally prefer the pink/yellow/blue colour palette and the widescreen with the border.
    - Great music! It really sounds like a Game Boy game. The composer did a lovely job.
    - A lovely story. I was always surprised how the plot would evolve. And I loved the themes and messages.
    - Charming characters. I found myself getting attached to a lot of characters, which always makes me happy. I love Loulou, Azuria, Saki, Evan, and of course Tako, himself.
    - New but familiar gameplay. There aren't too many controls, so it's easy for anyone to pick up and play.

    Cons:
    - Enemies hitting you off-screen. It's not fun to die and not know what killed you.
    - Weird hitboxes for some obstacles and enemies. I found myself dying a lot by things that shouldn't have hit me.
    - Hats have little to know explanation. Most hats are self-explanatory, but some hats you don't know what they do until after dying a few times.
    - Some of the harder stages lack checkpoints.

    Despite those flaws, it's still a game worth playing. If you're interested in classic 2D platformers that can get pretty challenging, then this is a game for you.    … Full Review »
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