Many of you know of Brawl in the Family, the hilarious comic from Matthew Taranto. It ended some years back, and was one of the greatest disappointments I have ever felt, along with the cancellation of Agent Carter and the lack of ice cream in front of me right now.
But did you know he made a game?
Yes, this game is Tadpole Treble. And it has all the charm and wonder of the music videos featured in Brawl in the Family and more.
The game features a tadpole named Baton. While her backstory is slight (and given only through comic panels and gameplay), I still felt moved by the plight of the tadpole swept away from home. Yes, the story is simple. But it’s a beautiful ride.
The artwork is stunning and simple. It propels the action and the fun at a steady rate. It’s not overbearing, and not overdone. It doesn’t get in the way.
Of course, the gameplay helps...a lot. The game is unique from all other rhythm games ever made. Instead of simply pressing buttons or bopping to the beat, you control Baton over a grid (read: a music staff) and press buttons when necessary.
In the process, you will dodge piranhas, hit various obstacles and even bounce from cymbals. The tunes are all bippy and fun and are, as may be said, Classic Taranto. He sets a high bar that others in the music industry should aspire to. Considering that much of the work was simply him and his brother, this is a testament to what a few hands can do when they love what they do.
The challenges are wonderful, as well. I won’t “spoil” them for you (as figuring them out can be part of the fun!), but know that they are challenging and enjoyable.
I’ve never had a dull moment with this game. I got this game for $1.24 or so. The game is normally $4.99. That is a steal for a game of this quality. You get 12 levels of brilliant music, in-level challenges, bonuses (including commentary and a mode that challenges you to get through the whole game in one sitting!) and a whole lot of fun.
In addition, there is a composition mode that allows you to play others’ compositions via QR code. Sadly, there is no Steam Workshop support as of yet. But wow, does it have a lot for a game at this price.
I should also mention that the game has a 90 on Metacritic. It got largely overlooked, but critics who did play it were enamored with it. So am I.
So please, if you have a Wii U or a Steam account, check it out! It may be more expensive on Wii U, but it is far better than so, so many games at its price point, whether it be $9.99 or $4.99.
To summarize, Tadpole Treble is a triumph. I might even go so far as to call it my favorite rhythm game, and I am sorry I have not spent more time with it.
Rating: 10/10
Many of you know of Brawl in the Family, the hilarious comic from Matthew Taranto. It ended some years back, and was one of the greatest disappointments I have ever felt, along with the cancellation of Agent Carter and the lack of ice cream in front of me right now.
But did you know he made a game?
Yes, this game is Tadpole Treble. And it has all the charm and wonder of the music videos featured in Brawl in the Family and more.
The game features a tadpole named Baton. While her backstory is slight (and given only through comic panels and gameplay), I still felt moved by the plight of the tadpole swept away from home. Yes, the story is simple. But it’s a beautiful ride.
The artwork is stunning and simple. It propels the action and the fun at a steady rate. It’s not overbearing, and not overdone. It doesn’t get in the way.
Of course, the gameplay helps...a lot. The game is unique from all other rhythm games ever made. Instead of simply pressing buttons or bopping to the beat, you control Baton over a grid (read: a music staff) and press buttons when necessary.
In the process, you will dodge piranhas, hit various obstacles and even bounce from cymbals. The tunes are all bippy and fun and are, as may be said, Classic Taranto. He sets a high bar that others in the music industry should aspire to. Considering that much of the work was simply him and his brother, this is a testament to what a few hands can do when they love what they do.
The challenges are wonderful, as well. I won’t “spoil” them for you (as figuring them out can be part of the fun!), but know that they are challenging and enjoyable.
I’ve never had a dull moment with this game. I got this game for $1.24 or so. The game is normally $4.99. That is a steal for a game of this quality. You get 12 levels of brilliant music, in-level challenges, bonuses (including commentary and a mode that challenges you to get through the whole game in one sitting!) and a whole lot of fun.
In addition, there is a composition mode that allows you to play others’ compositions via QR code. Sadly, there is no Steam Workshop support as of yet. But wow, does it have a lot for a game at this price.
I should also mention that the game has a 90 on Metacritic. It got largely overlooked, but critics who did play it were enamored with it. So am I.
So please, if you have a Wii U or a Steam account, check it out! It may be more expensive on Wii U, but it is far better than so, so many games at its price point, whether it be $9.99 or $4.99.
To summarize, Tadpole Treble is a triumph. I might even go so far as to call it my favorite rhythm game, and I am sorry I have not spent more time with it.
Rating: 10/10 
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