The Executive is a side scrolling action RPG. You play as an intern and must fight your way through the corporate world. Each level has unique challenges such as jumping, sliding, and punching through walls. Every couple of levels also introduces new enemies. Starting out with simple corporate wolves, and moving onto bat demons, frog knights, and mutant werewolves the game gets progressively harder. Players can customize their experience in the form of skills and “mining”.
Gameplay Mechanics
The game was designed around using one finger to play. This is very convenient and simple. Despite its simplicity though, it manages to be challenging. The game is broken down into levels, and after each level the player gets graded. Speed, accuracy, and defense are a few of the graded areas. Grades determine how much money a player receives. Money can then be used to upgrade the player character, or to upgrade the company. Upgrading the character allows for more health, damage, speed, and even special attack abilities. Upgrading the company allows the player to earn additional money for all feats, stunts, and levels. I found this to be a neat approach to design. It allowed for player choice on whether to use short term brute force, or save up for the long term game.
Building Your Company
The story is very much open to interpretation. The player is a newly hired intern who must battle his way through the corporate world. The metaphoric idea of battling “corporate wolves” has been brought to life in a comical way. I am sure that many of the other enemies were inspired in a metaphorical way, but I was not able to recognize them as quickly.
The story does not stop at the end of every level though. It continues into the upgrade screens. The player’s strength grows with skill upgrades, but this barely qualifies as story. The real background story is almost a mini game in itself. Mining allows the character to hire miners, chemists, and a variety of folks to upgrade the company. These upgrades explain what they do for you. Whether you earn additional money for combat, speed, or completion is up to you.
Climbing the Ladder
The graphics in this gamer were simple and acceptable. They allowed the game to run smoothly while also providing context, a sense of direction, comedy, clarity, and story. The background views often showed a city full of skyscrapers. The enemies were fierce looking, and the obstacles stood out properly. Arrows help to guide the player’s experience.
Tips were shown on every load screen, and tended to be immediately helpful. The ability to tap or slide anywhere on the screen is very helpful. The movement portions of the game are reaction based. Timing when to slide or jump is critical. And the combat portions were well defined. I knew when it was time to fight.
Keeping it Classy
Although the option to earn style points was present, I often opted for the brute approach. I was all about attack, speed, and efficiency. I dabbled in some defensive maneuvers, but often found myself too impatient to monitor my health. This caused me to have several very close calls when trying to complete levels with almost no HP. I did not have the finesse of a ninja, but I definitely had the power of a locomotive. Upgrading my damage was my primary focus, as I wanted to take enemies down as quickly as possible.
Somehow between all of the high flying stunts, and brutal combat, the executive manages to stay looking sharp. With his shiny shoes, nicely kept suit, and styled hair, he manages to keep it classy.
Although some blood splatter can be seen scattered around, blood never actually leaves a character. The games enemies and backgrounds were more violent than the actual combat. Enemies that are defeated just fade away.
The player moves about in a very Mario-like fashion. Each level consisted of a variety of jumping, bouncing, and fist pumping. There is no real commentary or dialogue. There are no real story elements beyond those I described as open to interpretation.
The game is designed to be played on the fly. Perhaps enjoyed while waiting at an office or sitting at an airport. It is easy enough to be played by just about anyone. It does a good job of explaining new mechanics without asking the player to read.
Each level is short and to the point. This makes the game more enjoyable and easy to pick up. The content is all “bite size”.
Like a Lazy Boy Recliner
I feel comfortable recommending this game to casual gamers. The $2.99 price point may appear off setting, but turns out to be a great deal. There are no micro transactions in the game, so all of the content is included upfront. There are also more levels than I was able to complete in my time playing. I feel that one thing missing is the ability to play as a woman.
I did not notice any glitches, nor did I encounter any game crashes. I enjoyed this game and can see myself picking it up from time to time.
Rated: T
Platforms: IOS & Android
Price: $2.99
Last Updated: January 13, 2016
HFR Rating:
