It's a little wild and a little strange, when you make your home out on the range... In other words, you shouldn't pick up a shiny desert gem when the statue holding it warns of a curse. Sadly, Cactus McCoy, the titular protagonist of the new beat-em-up platformer adventure from Flipline Studios, has done just that, and the result is that he's been transformed into a walking, talking, punching Saguaro. So now, if he ever wants to make balloon animals again, he must return the crystal to its proper old west location... all the way pursued by the mercenary gang that hired him to swipe the gem in the first place.
Cactus McCoy is played entirely with the keyboard and the controls are pretty standard. The [arrow keys] move you left and right. [A] makes you jump and [S] makes you attack, either with your fists or any of the dozens of weapons you'll come across. [Down] + [A] drops you down a platform. To pick up a weapon, you crouch over it with the [down] key, and can aim it around by holding the [up] key along with [left] and [right] for a diagonal shot. There are various types of weapons: punching ones, throwing ones, whipping ones, and shooting ones. Using the coins you punch out of each "enemigo" (who are weak on their own, but get quite cagey in numbers), you can purchase upgrades between each level. Each level has treasures to find and extra challenges to complete. Yippie-Kai-Yay!
Analysis: When it comes to games, westerns are notably under-represented as a genre. Oh sure, you'll have your occasional Freddy Pharkus or Mad Dog McCree, but they're hard to find amongst the waves of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and war. Even Red Dead Redemption couldn't help but throw zombies into the mix after a while. As such, Cactus McCoy feels a bit of an anomaly. Really, though, it shouldn't: Who doesn't love the thrill of shooting the gun out of the local black-hat's hand (and swiping the coins from his pockets)? Who doesn't like taking on a gang of outlaws with nothing but wits, fisticuffs and a good Smith and Wesson? Who doesn't love the inevitable level that takes place on a moving train? I don't know if Cactus McCoy will herald a casual gaming resurgence of the setting, but, in any case, it's proud to be a western game and as a western game it is near perfect.
I was stunned at the level of depth in Cactus McCoy: it has the amount of pure content usually found only in paid-for titles. The amount of secrets and achievements to discover in each of its twelve levels is truly impressive. That the content is so well done, and the levels are so well-designed only adds to the awe. So many games promise to reward exploration, but Cactus McCoy does it: every nook and cranny yields a treasure or a weapon worth finding, and, in doing so, it becomes as much of a lateral thinking puzzle platformer as a beat-em-up. What's more, I was impressed with the level of humor to be found in what is essentially a dialogue-free game: While Cactus is animated beautifully (especially his cape), his attacks are intentionally jerky, which only adds to the comedy of the creative weapons he uses. Playing cards? Banjos? Buckets of Scorpions? Why not? The animators clearly understand physical humor quite well, and the result is a joy to play through... even if McCoy does look a little picklish at times.
There are a few minor drawbacks: considering how creative the levels are, I was kind of disappointed at the relative lack of boss fights. Taking on waves of henchmen, however well-armed they may be, just doesn't have the same appeal. It brings needless repetition into a game that had otherwise avoided it. Also, a few of jumping puzzles required just a tad too much precision to not be annoying, especially considering the omnipresent bottomless pits. Finally, on a point of personal preference, I kind of disliked the default controls, though the option to change them was well-appreciated (and the fact that the tutorial levels update to reflect any changes).
Even having played all the levels, I feel that I've barely scratched the surface of Cactus McCoy, and I only want to play more. The developer claims that there's ten hours of content in reaching 100%, and I believe them. Don't let that completionist figure turn you away though: Cactus McCoy has the golden combination of being easy to start and challenging to master. Cactus McCoy is just the sting to use against thorny hours of boredom. Needle I say more?
Walkthrough Guide
(Please allow page to fully load for spoiler tags to be functional.)
Cactus McCoy - Hints and Tips
Tips
Achievements counts get tracked during the level, but resets at the end. Badges are tracked throughout the game and do not reset.
Keep hitting character for more coins.
Hold two neighboring movement keys to aim at an angle.
There is no way to regain health or gain extra lives. Use what you have sparingly.
Every time you hit an Enemigo after defeating him, there's a random chance he might drop his weapon. Repeated hits increase the odds of a weapon drop. It also drops money.
You can backtrack throughout the level. Use this to keep track of specific weapons to beat challenges.
Each weapon has a badge tied to it, all involving beating a certain number of Enemigos.
Holding a chicken while jumping will keep you in the air longer.
Levels
Level 1: Cactus Canyon
To get the Sheriff badges, pick up a bramble bush or get the weapon off a pointy-hat Enemigo.
Level 2: Prospector Mines
To get the torches achievement, finish the fight at the end, then go back when the doors open. The squirt gun will now be accessible. Backtrack and kill all the torches. Several are hidden off the beaten path.
The best way to hit an enemy five times is with a swinging weapon, like a shovel.
Level 3: Rustler Railroad
One suitcase is hidden in crates.
Level 4: Shady Springs
To get the chicken challenge and one treasure, you will need to go to the secret area. The entrance is at the top left of the second area.
Getting to the high chicken: In the secret area, throw a chicken up the area where you can climb, then jump from the top holding the chicken. When the other area comes in range, throw the chicken. Grab the rope, climb left then up, and then jump towards the left while holding the chicken.
Level 5: Powderkeg Pass
To get the Enemigos hiding in the pass, shooting roman candles, reach the top and break the create. You'll find a shotgun.
To blow up all the boulders, use the nearest TNT keg, else you might find yourself stuck.
Level 6: Midnight Express
The Rumble: Go to the top of the second carriage and pick up the chicken. Run to the back end of the train and jump (from the roof). Float until you land on the train.
To get the Crack That Whip challenge, take a whip into the final fight. At least three whip-wielding Enemigos will appear. You can find a bullwhip in one of the suitcases.
The number of guitar-wielding Enemigos are exact, so beat each with a banjo.
To reach all of the luggage, to throw off the train, you will need to stand on luggage as well. So be careful what you throw off when.
Level 7: Rattler Ravine
To hit certain gun and scorpion targets, you will need to shoot/throw at an angle.
Level 8: Brimstone Mines
The Ramble: When you spot a rope hanging on the lowest point of the level, drop onto it and keep moving left. You will find the entrance to the hidden ramble area.
Level 9: Deadbridge Railway
The grenade to destroy all the TNT barrels can be found in a suitcase above the log truck with all the Gatling gunners.
Level 10: Sunset Gulch
The floating bombs can be punched to disable them.
Level 11: Emerald Temple
Several of the Statues, Vases and Enemigoes with longswords are hidden look for areas where you can drop down or for platforms off the beaten path.
The statues are tricky as you cannot always move a statue to any point in the game. When you find a statue or a place to put it (a green circle with an X), locate the other part nearest to you.
Level 12: Emerald Shrine
The boss has three attacks: slashing, firing his pistols and leaping from above. Keep out of range for his slash attacks and duck during a volley of bullets. When he leaps out of the screen, he is likely to slam down from above. The best method is to duck his bullets, then punch him as he moves in close.
To get to the secret area, use the vases to get onto higher area (you'll need most of them. In the secret area (top left of main map) you will find the remaining treasures, as well as the squirt gun and torches.
Weapons
A note about weapons: This game has a lot of weapons and the effectiveness of each is dependent on its level, the enemy's difficulty and Cactus McCoy's proficiency - derived from the stats you can upgrade at the end of each level. This list attempts to organise them from lowest to highest, but advises that you try them all out.
Thrown Weapons
Darts: What it says on the box.
Sheriff Badges: Low-tech ninja stars.
Playing Cards: Surprisingly non-non-lethal.
Cherry bombs: Fast, but drops off. Effective up close.
Scorpions: They crawl along the floor and attack what they stumble into. Can be thrown.
Daggers: Like darts, except they are knives. Fast and deadly.
Lanterns: Starts brief fires.
Tear Gas: Does a lot of damage, because it lands multiple hits.
Tomahawks: Deadly, but doesn't last long.
Punching Weapons
Boxing Gloves: Packs a punch.
Brass Knuckles: They make pain easy.
Clothes Iron: This hits hard, good for a brawler.
Firearms
Derringer: The most basic firearm.
Revolver: Now you are a real cowboy.
Crossbow: Slow, but hurts.
Blunderbuss: Less than a shotgun, but still devastating.
Gatling Gun: Great with crowds.
Tommy Gun: Also great with crowds.
Harpoon Gun: Slow shooter, but boy it hurts.
Ordinance
Roman Candle: Direct fire, reasonable damage.
Bazooka: Powerful, but slow.
Flamethrower: Used quickly, but powerful
Striking Weapons
Stick: Better than nothing.
Cactus: Better than a stick.
2x4: Better than a cactus.
Bone: Good for a blunt weapon.
Shovel: As you can imagine, in a fight.
Nightstick: Good for riot control.
Banjo: Fast and surprisingly deadly.
Guitar: Deadlier than a banjo.
Mallet: Powerful strike, but slow.
Pool Cue: Fast with a good reach.
Sickle: Fast, Powerful - one up from Machete.
Cutlass: No pirate would fight without it.
Morningstar: Thumping good time.
Scythe: Death's preferred method.
Longsword: Slow but brutal.
Katana: Recommended by 9 out of 10 samurai.
Whips
Rope: No whip without it.
Bullwhip: I bet it stings.
Chain: fair speed, lots of damage.
Rattlesnake: Fast, very powerful.
Thorn Whip: Hurts less than barbed whip.
Barbed Whip: Hurts more than a Thorn Whip.
Tow Chain: Also used to tow heavy vehicles.
Cat O' Nine Tails: Hits Hard and Looks Pretty .
Meteor: Fast and hurts.
Treasures
All levels
Level 1: Cactus Canyon
After beating up the two dummies and the door opens, walk to the left into the hidden area.
Just past the bottomless pit.
After dropping from the rope ladder down past the wooden ladder, keep going down (one drop) and then run left.
Before exiting the fourth screen, instead of going right, go left and jump off the edge. You will grab a rope. Follow it to the chest.
In the fight arena, go to the top right.
Level 2: Prospector Mines
After dropping into the first large area you encounter, keep going left. You will see two wooden grips at the top-left corner. Use a crate to reach them.
At the end of the first screen, there is a series of wooden grips leading upwards. Carry a mine cart to the spot then jump from it to reach the grips. Climb to the top.
In the second screen, when you encounter the wooden grips running downwards towards the right (near the end), drop down below. At the bottom, go left.
Near the exit of the second screen, jump up to grab the wooden grip, then jump to the second. From there keep moving up until you are on a ledge with a chain-barrier in the background. Jump to the right, onto a platform with the treasure.
After the arena fight, take the crate at the left entrance to the right exit. You will see a series of wooden struts stick out from the building. Use the crate to reach these struts, then climb up.
Level 3: Rustler Railroad
Run to the third carriage and get on to of the train. Run back to the roof of the first carriage.
Head to the fifth carriage and climb down the metal struts on its left side. Jump into the fourth carriage.
From the log wagon (sixth carriage) jump at the left to inside the fifth carriage.
On the eight carriage (the tanker), drop down on the right-hand side.
On the ninth carriage, head to the top-right, where you can access the roof.
Level 4: Shady Springs
At the start, grab the chicken and climb to the top - where the Enemigo with the iron is. Jump to the left while holding the chicken.
In the secret area (top-left of second screen - reach it via the directions for the third treasure), throw the chicken up the steps near the entrance, climbing up after it. Then, holding the chicken, step off the ledge on the left and drift down to the small enclave.
At the start of the second screen, climb up until you see a diagonal arrow point Up/Right. To your left is a rope. Jump for it and go left. Jump towards the left at the end.
At the bottomless pit (second screen), drop down the left-hand side.
On the third screen, just before the exit, there is a spot where you can drop down. Do that and go right.
Level 5: Powderkeg Pass
When you reach the upwards-pointing arrow, next to the wooden grip ladder, instead go left and jump down, to the left.
Climb up and go right until you pass the first wooden grip; beyond it will be two TNT barrels. Run to the right until you stand over a section you can drop down from. Stand roughly in line with the right-hand side of the platform behind you, then drop down.
Once you reach the top of the third screen (near the exit), take a barrel and place it two ledges above the wooden grip ladder. Then jump from the top of the barrel to the ledge on the top left. Keep jumping left.
Near the Third screen exit you can drop down a set of ropes. Take a barrel down and go to the right. Use the barrel to reach the ladder.
After the final fight, take a barrel as high to the right as you can to reach the wooden grip. Then take the rock just outside the exit and take it up. Throw it into the higher ledge, then climb on it to reach the rope. Go left.
Level 6: Midnight Express
Take the chicken on the second cart's roof and jump from the end of the train to reach the rumble train. The chest is along the way.
On the roof of cart four, go left and jump to cart three. Move left along the chain.
On the coal truck, the second low platform has metal struts leading down. Drop down.
Take a chest onto the roof of cart seven. Use it to jump over the large box.
After the final fight, use a chest to reach the top left. Climb onto the roof and go left.
Level 7: Rattler Ravine
Past the first crusher (screen one), climb up the ledges, using a crate to reach the highest ledge. Then hold the chicken (found to the right of the ledge, past the ladder) and jump towards the left from the highest ledge. When you reach the ladder, drop the chicken.
After passing the third crusher (first screen), keep going left.
When you reach the two crunchers on the second screen, crouch under the second crusher and drop down. Keep leaning left and you will land on an outcrop. Go left.
At the exit of the second screen, go right and climb on the rope. Follow the rope to its end, then drop down.
As you enter the fourth screen, there is an Enemigo shooting at you from a higher ledge. Use the metal crate to reach it. Find the other two metal crates and throw them onto the higher ledges to reach the top. Climb on the rope and move to the far left.
Level 8: Brimstone Mine
After climbing up the ledges with the flamethrowers (on the first screen; the first flamethrower has an ore rock next to it), climb to the top of the left platforms. Holding a chicken (found further in the level), jump to reach the next platform. Do this until you hit a wall. Fall to the left.
After dropping down past the two opposing flamethrowers (near the start o the second screen), go past the first solitary flamethrower and jump onto the platform above the flamethrower shooting upwards. Go right.
Go to the rumble (pass the crusher with the two flamethrowers, screen one, then keep right and down until you encounter a low-hanging rope; follow it to the left).
At the exit of the second screen, go left along the rope. Drop down the right-hand shaft.
At the start of the third screen, take the mine cart and carry it up. Throw it over the highest ledge. Go back and climb across the rope. Then take the mine cart and run to where the flamethrowers fire down in a sequence. Run to the gap between the two sets of flamethrowers, then use the cart to reach the higher ground.
Level 9
In the third carriage, just before the highest point of the crates you can drop down. Drop down again to reach the chest.
Throw a chest up on the platform between the third and fourth carriages. Use it to reach the higher platform.
Head to the fifth carriage. Use a chest to reach the chains and use another chest to reach the gap above the main platform.
Grab a chicken on the roof of carriage seven, then head over carriage eight (the tanker). Holding the chicken, drop between carriages eight and nine, landing on nine's platform. Then jump left.
From the roof of the final carriage, jump back until you run into the black smoke pipe. Use a crate or chest to jump to the top and then follow the chain.
Level 10
At the start, drop down from the rope you are hanging from.
After reaching the rooftops just beyond the second screen's entrance, keep going until you see a building that forms a series of steps going down and right. Move down them carefully, then jump across the gap.
After entering the second screen, keep fighting towards the right. Along the way you will pass an iron crate. Use that further on where the route narrows to a gap (just beyond it are a series of ropes you drop down from). Put the box on the left side of the narrow area and use it to reach the wooden strut above. Reach the ledge and jump to the rope. Carry on left - keep going and the bombs will miss you. Watch out for the flamethrowers, using the gap between them to pass (no need to jump). Keep left until you reach the chest.
In the third screen, stand on the gap between the two crushers taking turns crushing. Drop down.
At the exit of the third screen, climb onto the higher platform (with the stovepipe in the background). Jump to the wooden struts on the far left. Climb up.
Level 11
Climb up in the first screen until you reach two ropes strung above each other. Climb up and jump to the ledge on the right. Jump up and climb the wooden struts.
Run past the multiple crushers, but drop down in the area halfway down the run. Drift to the right as you fall to land in a hidden area.
Just before the second screen's exit there is a space to drop down (just before the large step towards the exit ladder). Drop down close to the right. Jump to the right and grab the rope. Go right.
After reaching the cross-shaped-channels with the statue X in the center (third screen), climb the ladder and head left. Jump up and left until you reach a series of platforms and wooden struts going up. To the left is an area you can drop down. Drop to the left.
After reaching the cross-shaped-channels with the statue X in the center (third screen), climb the ladder and head left. Jump up and left until you reach a series of platforms and wooden struts going up. Go up. At the top, go right (to the left is a statue). Go right along the struts and rope to reach the treasure.
Level 12
Near the exit of the first screen, take a vase and use it to get onto the inverted T platform. Take another vase up and place it on the top of the platform. Use it to reach the wooden strut on the right.
Near the exit of the first screen, take a vase and use it to get onto the inverted T platform. Take another vase up and place it on the top of the platform. Use it to reach the platform on the left. Keep moving left.
Near the exit of the first screen, take a vase and use it to get onto the inverted T platform. Take another vase up and place it on the top of the platform. Use it to reach the platform on the left. Keep moving left. Use another vase to reach a higher spot after the second treasure. Continue left until you use a wooden ladder to reach a hidden area. Drop down until you reach the bottom, then head right. At the wall head up, then take the first left. Follow the route, taking the left-hand split.
Near the exit of the first screen, take a vase and use it to get onto the inverted T platform. Take another vase up and place it on the top of the platform. Use it to reach the platform on the left. Keep moving left. Use another vase to reach a higher spot after the second treasure. Continue left until you use a wooden ladder to reach a hidden area. Drop down until you reach the bottom, then head right. At the wall head down to the bottom, then go left.
Near the exit of the first screen, take a vase and use it to get onto the inverted T platform. Take another vase up and place it on the top of the platform. Use it to reach the platform on the left. Keep moving left. Use another vase to reach a higher spot after the second treasure. Continue left until you use a wooden ladder to reach a hidden area. Drop down and take the first left. Continue left and up. At the top of the climb, go left. At the first drop, go down, then at the bottom go left. Follow the path left and down. Once you hit the bottom, go left. At the wall, go up. At the top, go left, then down. Follow the path to its end.
Posted by: James Francis
|
March 20, 2011 2:40 PM