The Meating is a puzzle-platformer for the Nintendo Switch. Or is it for the NES? Actually, it’s both. Yes, developers Mega Cat Studios have created something completely new for the bricky NES. We are reviewing the Switch version, but it’s exactly the same either way, for better or worse.
The quirky story certainly stands out. It seems Kon, a rogue minotaur, is bored, and is using some kind of dating app to find a friend. When he falls victim to catfishing, he lands himself in the arms of a sadistic butcher who chops Kon to pieces. Thankfully, a mystical presence (the god of gyros, no less) grants Kon the ability to hop around as a head and gather his body back together. ‘Tis the season, I guess?
Oddness aside, the premise is simple. You play the role of the minotaur’s head as he platforms his way through 60+ levels to collect the rest of his body. You can jump, headbutt, and float. Kinda. Pressing jump twice and holding it allows you to remain airborne. An energy meter depletes while floating, meaning it should be used sparingly. Still, it’s a sure-fire way to reach platforms too far to simply jump between.
The gameplay loop is equally simple. Each level is a puzzle. Your goal? Collect the key hidden somewhere and take it to the door. There are triggers to push along the way, moving elements like walls or floors to create new pathways. There are also plenty of monsters to get in your way, along with special abilities to unlock, such as telekinesis and possession.
You’ve heard of the term “NES hard”, right? The developers apparently took this phrase to heart with The Meating. This is a tough outing. Unfortunately, this creates an experience that’s often more frustrating than fun. Enemies respawn when you revisit a room. Indestructible flying roast chickens fall on you (now that’s a sentence I never thought I’d write). And even those cool headbutt attacks can be hard to pull off without taking damage.
Another NES-ism is the use of passwords. You begin the game with a mere three lives. These quickly deplete, leaving you with a “Game over” screen and password. Write it down and type it in if you want to continue. While this is a cute little slice of nostalgia, it’s just annoying in 2024.
Visually, The Meating presents a neat 8-bit NES-like aesthetic. The pixelated sprites stand out and are well designed. There’s a meat theme going on here, with a lot of reds and browns used throughout. Vegetarians might want to steer away from this title. The audio is equally pleasing in this regard, giving a healthy dose of sounds that belong in the glory days of yesteryear.
Overall, The Meating is an interesting title. The quirky story is memorable, though the platforming is less than perfect. Perhaps the Switch version could have used a few enhancements to separate it from the NES take on things. There’s plenty to do, and it’ll appeal to anyone looking for an authentic NES experience.
