Free Game Friday: Enemy 585

Nitrome is known for creating colorful games with crisp graphics and interesting concepts, playable right in your browser. Their latest creation, a juicy little puzzle platformer called Enemy 585, is of course in traditional Nitrome form.

In a Mario-style world, a lone henchman must be guided “backwards” through each level and to the goal flag. To accomplish this, a helpful and rotatable block platform must be used to create paths and keep Enemy 585 from danger. There are coins to collect along the way for the completionists among you, adding an extra layer of challenge to an already surprisingly challenging game.

The game is charming to say the least, and if you’re a fan of Nitrome’s previous works, Enemy 585 will not disappoint. The similarities and references to classic Mario games will have you smiling, and as with all Nitrome games, the animations are smooth and the graphics pleasing to the eye. Also, Enemy 585 is pretty damn adorable, though I’m not really sure what exactly he’s supposed to be, other than an homage to Koopas everywhere. I think he looks like a tadpole.

Dying will quickly prove frustrating, particularly in some of the later levels when the necessary actions aren’t immediately obvious. Enemy 585 shambles along slowly, which gives you plenty of time to make decisions, but sometimes I found myself just wanting to take direct control of him to get him where I wanted. I’m not afraid to admit I’m more than a little impatient..

Previously, the game contained no checkpoints, making deaths that much more frustrating, but a recent update in the game has placed checkpoints in each level. This, coupled with the fact that the game saves your progress after you complete a level, makes it much easier to come back to, and a great way to kill some time or take a break throughout the day.

Puzzle platformer fiends like me will definitely find an itch scratched in this game. If you’re not familiar with Nitrome’s vast array of games, give Enemy 585 a try, and check out some of their other games while you’re at it!