Towelket One More Time 3 Review
Towelket One More Time 3 is the first game in the Towelket series. It was released on February 12th, 2008. Yes, this is the first game. As for why it's labeled as "3" there is no real answer to this. The games are intentionally numbered out of order.
To get this out of the way, this particular game has three versions: The original was released in February. A remake was released later in the same year, shortly after the second game was released. Another remake was released in 2017 and was developed using RPGMaker MV. The version of the game I'll be reviewing is the original. However, there is a review for the Karaage version (the first remake) here. My opinions on each version vary quite a bit, so it might be worth checking out that review as well.
The game begins with two siblings, Kachil and Kimiru, searching their family's storage room for something to pass the time. They eventually stumble upon a magical book that shrinks their bodies to a microscopic size. As it turns out, the book belongs to a race of tiny, evil aliens who plan to use it to take over the Earth.
The story of Towelket 3 is relatively simple, resembling something out of a children's picture book. There are no bizarre twists or turns. It plays its premise straight, and I personally find that quite charming.
This charming atmosphere is heavily reflected in the game's visuals. Though the pixel art is on the amateurish side, the soft pastel colors and environments filled with cute details give the game a comfortable, nostalgic feel. While the art may not be the most impressive of all time, it's clear that a lot of effort was put into how the game presents itself, and the art fits the tone perfectly.
As with everything else in this game, the characters are simple yet enjoyable. Kachil is the typical silent protagonist, and his energetic little sister does most of the talking for him. Throughout the game we meet all kinds of characters of varying importance and they're about on the same level in terms of writing and enjoyment. They don't really have much to them in terms of depth but they do their job as entertaining companions that tag along with you throughout your journey.
The combat in this game is pretty easy and straightforward, so if you're expecting a full-on RPG, this series might not be for you, as this will be the standard for these games. There isn't much to discuss because it's just standard RPG Maker combat. Throughout the game, you'll acquire various party members, though you won't have to do any real grind until the end, when you're suddenly presented with the choice of who to bring with you to the final battle. Depending on who you choose, you might have to punch a few enemies to catch them up with the rest of your party. However, given how easy the game is, it likely won't take much time.
However, if there's one aspect of this game that I found a bit questionable, it's definitely the map design. While small things such as the game's overall simplicity can be easily excused if you know what you're getting into, this particular aspect can get quite egregious from time to time. There are multiple sections throughout the game where the maps seem to stretch out unnecessarily. Since the combat in this game is so easy, chances are you'll spend more time dodging the enemies rather than engaging with them like the game wants you to. Even if you try to play the game as the developer intended, it still feels excessive. There isn't much to explore except for some flavor text here and there, so going through these areas often feels like a buffer between points A and B. It's also possible to get lost if you're not paying attention, as some areas require a specific item to progress. And sometimes it's not immediately obvious where you might acquire said item.
Personally, I hardly found these issues prevalent enough to cause any real frustration. At worst, you'll probably have to wander around for a minute or two before figuring out what to do or where to go.
Towelket One More Time 3 is short, simple, and sweet. As an introductory game, it's a pretty decent experience, as long as you don't expect anything too crazy. While it isn't reflective of how the rest of the games will play out, it provides a glimpse of what's to come. You'll be introduced to many characters and concepts that will later become mainstays in the series. It's a short, well-paced game that doesn't demand much of your time, so if you're curious about the series, I highly recommend trying it out.
I rate this game 3/5 Towels.
