Sacre Bleu, brought to us by Noodlecake and Hildring Studio, is a thrilling action-platformer infused with bullet-hell elements, available on the Nintendo Switch. Here’s my take on it.
Set in France during 1650, the game picks up after the Kingdom has narrowly escaped a mercenary invasion, thanks to the gallant musketeers. But, as stories often go, all isn’t well. The musketeers are being falsely accused of a crime they didn’t commit. Your task is to break out of prison, uncover the truth, and halt the chaos before it’s too late. This title caters to both casual gamers and speedrunners, allowing you to play at your preferred pace.
As your adventure kicks off, controlling your character is straightforward. The left analog stick lets you move, jumping is assigned to the B button, while you unleash sword attacks using the Y button. You’ll wield the powerful Steam Blaster with the A button, an attack capable of smashing barriers and boosting you to otherwise unreachable platforms—familiarizing yourself with this is key. With three consecutive blasts at your disposal, careful aim with the left stick ensures you hit your mark. Grabbing enemies and tossing them around is easy by using the R button.
Holding down the Y button unleashes a charged spin attack, great for smashing through obstacles or striking enemies with extra force. While airborne, combining the Steam Blaster with this spin gives your jumps a boost in both height and distance. Once you’ve retrieved your gun, you can take down foes and hit targets by pressing ZR while aiming with the left analog stick. Remember, bullets are precious—make each one count. Grenades? Sure, aim and toss them with the ZL button. Use the right analog stick for moving the camera, ensuring you always have a good view of the road ahead.
Each level keeps you on your toes with a timer in the top right corner, beginning the moment you set foot into the level and recording your completion time. Trimming down that time is a matter of experimenting with different routes through trial and error. Performing combos enhances your score, with varied and expansive combos rewarded with extra points and time bonuses.
In essence, Sacre Bleu is a kinetic, bullet-dodging action-platformer set against a backdrop of historical intrigue in 1650s France. You’re working to clear the musketeers’ names, relying on every skill and item at your disposal. The game supports different playing styles, from leisurely exploration to timed challenges.
Each level features leaderboards, prompting you to climb to the top by refining your strategies. Accessibility isn’t forgotten—choose fonts that suit your preferences, adjust the game’s speed if needed, and zoom in or out to ace those tricky platform sections. Currently, Sacre Bleu is priced at $14.99 on the Nintendo Switch, with an enticing 15% discount available if you grab it before May 1st.
To sum it up, Sacre Bleu provides a delightful blend of fast-paced action with historic charm—a worthy addition to any Switch library. A sincere thank you to Noodlecake for providing a Nintendo Switch copy for review.
