DATA WING (Android)
User Review
Product Information:
- Release Date (NA): August 16, 2017
- Release Date (EU): August 16, 2017
- Release Date (JP): August 16, 2017
- Publisher: Dan Vogt
- Developer: Dan Vogt
- Genres: Action, Racing
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
A phone's AI wants to be human. You are its underling. What could go wrong?
Life in a computer
When you gain consciousness, you get introduced to your basic functions (the controls). You accelerate automatically. You touch the right side of the screen to turn right and the left side to turn left. Press both sides to brake. Simple stuff, right? While the control scheme isn't complicated, mastering how to use them will take time.
When you finish the tutorial, you meet an AI. The computer's AI. She's called Mother. She tells you that she's in charge and that you work for her. She then introduces you to the System Interface. This screen is basically your world map. You can tap any level to travel there and there is a wall that you cannot advance through unless you complete levels. Completing any level pushes that wall back a bit, making new levels appear. On the first level, you are told your purpose. You are a Data Wing. Your purpose is to deliver Mother's payloads. On every level, you do just that. There are a couple types of levels. Sometimes you just have to get from point A to point B. Sometimes you have to race around a track and get a good time. There are also levels where you have to race other Data Wings and finish first. Some levels log your time and you can compete with your friends.
After the second level, you are introduced to the reward you will be getting for completing tasks. Shiny Gems. You can't really spend them anywhere... BUT THEY ARE SHINY GEMS, COME ON.
A little while later, you discover the fact that Mother can experience human feelings. You cannot do that, nor can you speak. When Mother sees your problem-solving potential, she gets the idea that you should assist her in serving the User, a human. Mother wants you to help her access the Security Nexus. That's where she can get more permissions.
It turns out, the Manufacturer told her that on her Waking Day, she'll be reborn human. She doesn't know when that will happen, but she wants it to happen as soon as possible, that's why she wants all those permissions.
When you get to the Security Nexus, you have to get through its protection. You do that using the handy Unmanaged Space nearby. It is there where you meet Rogue. A mysterious programme who, seeing your mischievous ways, becomes your friend. It also turns out, the Security Nexus isn't enough to get Mother full access. Your next target is the Prism. And that is where I will stop spoiling the story. Play it yourself to find out what happens next!
Other Tidbits
Some additional elements also get introduced later in the game. Boost Panels give you extra speed. Gravity pulls you downwards, making you rethink your strategies completely. On some levels, there are hidden chunks of User Data. You can collect there to find out more about the User. There's an entirely separate story unfolding in the real world while you play the game, and User Data is the key to it.
The music is great. The best I could describe it is probably a sort of jazzy vapourwave. It really fits the game's theme and is a blast to listen to.
I suggest you give this one a try. It's completely free on Google Play and the App Store. No ads, no nothing.
Verdict
What I Liked ...
- Good level design
- Great story
- Awesome characters
- Outstanding music
- Amazing visuals
What I Didn't Like ...
- A bit short
- No additional content for a second playthrough
8
Gameplay
Simple controls that can get really satisfying when mastered.
8
Presentation
The combination of 2D images, 3D models, subtle animations and shaders really makes it stand out.
5
Lasting Appeal
There's not much to do if you go back after finishing the game, only a final piece of User Data (if you've collected them all) that puts an end to the User's story.
7.5
out of 10
