DUCKS! – A Quacky Puzzle Game by Antenna Cheese
DUCKS! is a 2D squad puzzle game created by Antenna Cheese, an indie game studio from Chile. The game was originally made for the Construct 3 Game Jam: Good Things Come in Threes in 2017, where it won the first place. It was later featured in the Festival de videojuegos Ludópolis in Valdivia, Chile in 2018, where it also won the first place.
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The game is available for free on the Antenna Cheese website and on Newgrounds. It can be played on any browser that supports HTML5.
The Story
The game follows the adventures of three ducks who have been captured by a robot invasion on their pond. The ducks are:
- Duckie, the yellow duck who can shoot lasers from his eyes.
- Ducko, the blue duck who can push and pull boxes with his beak.
- Ducka, the pink duck who can fly and glide with her wings.
The ducks must work together to escape the robot fort, using their unique abilities to solve puzzles, avoid traps and defeat enemies. Along the way, they will also find collectibles such as coins, stars and feathers that will unlock bonus levels and secrets.
The Gameplay
The game is divided into 15 levels, each with a different theme and challenge. The player can switch between the three ducks at any time by pressing the 1, 2 and 3 keys. Each duck has a health bar that decreases when they get hit by enemies or hazards. If one duck dies, the game is over and the level must be restarted.
The player can move the ducks with the arrow keys, interact with objects with the space bar, and shoot lasers with the X key (only Duckie can do this). The player can also toggle fullscreen mode with the F key and mute the audio with the M key.
The game features a variety of puzzles that require the player to use the ducks’ abilities in creative ways. For example, Ducko can move boxes to create platforms or block lasers, Ducka can fly over gaps or reach high places, and Duckie can shoot switches or enemies. Some puzzles also involve timing, coordination and teamwork between the ducks.
The game also has some action elements, such as enemies that chase or shoot at the ducks, lasers that move or rotate, spikes that pop out of the ground, and conveyor belts that change direction. The player must avoid or overcome these obstacles while solving the puzzles.
The game has a charming pixel art style and a catchy chiptune soundtrack composed by Moralo González. The game also has a humorous tone, with funny dialogues between the ducks and cute animations. The game is suitable for all ages and skill levels, as it has a simple control scheme and a gradual difficulty curve.
The Reception
DUCKS! has received positive feedback from players and critics alike. The game has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Newgrounds, where it has been played over 18,000 times. The game has also been praised for its originality, creativity and fun factor by various websites and blogs .
Some of the comments from players include:
- “This is one of the best games I’ve played in a while. It’s so cute and fun!”
- “I love this game! The puzzles are clever, the graphics are adorable, and the music is catchy.”
- “This game is amazing! It’s like a mix of Lemmings and Portal with ducks.”
- “This game is quacking awesome! I love how each duck has its own personality and ability.”
The Conclusion
DUCKS! is a quacky puzzle game that will challenge your brain and make you smile. It’s a great example of how a simple idea can be turned into a polished and enjoyable game with creativity and passion. If you’re looking for a fun and free browser game to play, you should definitely check out DUCKS! by Antenna Cheese.