Developer: Pixel Games S.A.R.L.
Initial release date: February 5, 2024
Genre: Platform game
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux
Publishers: Pixel Games S.A.R.L., Flynn’s Arcade
Engine: Godot
Sebastian Kostka, a former 3D animator for Ubisoft, has left corporate life to pursue independent development. So far, his solo works (like pixel games SARL-S) have been reasonably successful. While Sigi – A Fart for Melusina was a fairly basic platformer, Sir Lovelot’s intriguing level design and visuals drew comparisons to Rayman Legends’ lushness.
Donut Dodo, however, piqued my interest with a stunning replication of the look and sound of an early 1980s arcade system. Billy the Baker, like Donkey Kong, climbed ladders and jumped over enemies over a number of single-screen stages to save his girlfriend, Bella. Playing it was like locating the source code for a coin-op that was canceled at the last minute.
Enjoying Your Udder
Fortunately, Cash Cow DX expands Kostka’s appreciation for the ‘insert coin’ era. You play as the game’s eponymous milk-maker, who must gather her lost money. Currency is liberally distributed throughout the game’s horizontally scrolling stages, much like dots in Pac-Man. And, like Namco’s 1980 classic, you’ll have to collect every last piece to progress. The gimmick here is that gathering steadily builds a score multiplier, incentivizing you to discover an efficient route. Cunningly, jewels appear in various sections of the playfield, luring you with the promise of a “happy hour” that temporarily increases point values enormously.
Cash Cow moves significantly faster than the normal bovine. Your wide leap allows you to effortlessly span gaps and avoid wandering foes, and the game even warns you when they approach off-screen. However, understanding how to navigate each level needs some traditional trial and error. Downward ramps propel you across gaps, vertical warp tunnels change your elevation, and Sonic the Hedgehog-style loops only let you gather coins in one way.
A Punch in the Chambered Gut
Later, trampolines will bounce around you like Mappy, while ziplines and minecarts will slide you around, all helping to keep you moving quickly. Games like Donkey Kong usually allow you a few seconds to react to danger. However, Cash Cow DX requires you to make critical decisions much more quickly.
As a result, expect one major difference from most coin-ops: early games will conclude in seconds. Coin-op machines built confidence before increasing the intensity. However, Cash Cow DX will drop you right into a seething pot of adversaries. However, when you understand how to navigate each level, advancement becomes easier. And if you let it, Cash Cow will sink its hooves into you.
Retro Affection is Required.
The absence of any continues indicates that Kostka wants players to enjoy the route to proficiency. So, if you are easily disappointed or perplexed by the allure of games concentrated on scoring, Cash Cow DX may not be the greatest buy.
Others, however, will find SARL-S’s latest pixel game a pleasant return to a time when learning how to avoid a game’s numerous hazards made you feel like a digital Indiana Jones. Cash Cow DX’s adversary pigs and environmental hazards remain constant, making for a fun and chaotic throwback.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 74%
Controls: 76%
Aesthetics: 78%
Content: 72%
Accessibility: 77%
Value: 75%
Overall: 75%
GOOD
Summary: “Cash Cow DX” offers a fun and casual gaming experience centered on resource management and profit maximization. While the gameplay is enjoyable, it may grow repetitive without providing enough depth to pique long-term interest. The straightforward controls and beautiful visuals are nice, but the material feels constrained. Despite these flaws, “Cash Cow DX” remains an engaging alternative for anyone looking for a casual gaming experience, making it a welcome addition to the genre.