Aaaaa is an indie title set in a future where material from space is somehow suspended in our atmosphere.  From this element, cities have been created.  Any BASE jumper worth his chute would laugh with glee at this scenario, and so accordingly this is what the game is all about.  The developers didn’t have to create a story, but doing so adds much flavour to a very simple concept. 

   Essentially, the game is about scoring as many points as you can in a crazy, neon-filled world.  You can scoot along horizontally to score ‘kisses’ or stick close to buildings to gain ‘hugs’.  The more you have of each, the better your score will be.  You also get points for smashing coloured glass panels, giving the finger, spraying graffiti, and hitting birds.  This absurdity already sets it apart from other games of a similar type, such as Audiosurf. 

That's quite a menu screen you have there

   Aaaaa does all the right things a good arcade game should.  Suitable visual and aural indicators tell you exactly how well you are going.  Combos are tallied at the end of your run (whether you make it or not) and, depending on your star score out of 5, you are awarded a number of teeth, the currency with which you unlock new levels.  It’s a tight system, but how does it work in practice?

   Using your mouse and a WASD set-up, the game lets you steer your way through floating buildings and random structures in a first-person perspective.  It is no simulation game, so the game doesn’t feel very realistic.  Instead, there is a sense of free-fall freedom and speed.  Factors such as wind affect your ability to land and how fast you go, so getting the right angle can be a little fiddly.  You will overshoot the mark many times before you get it right. 

   There are many hazards along the journey down, such as rotating blades and disorientating strips of light.  Hitting the side of a building will make you spin away, and in tight spaces this mechanic is punishing – one false move and you turn into a pinball.  Apart from the movement keys, there are also the keys for saluting the crowd and graffiti.  When you take all the methods of scoring into consideration, some levels get extremely intense.  You have to keep an awareness of your surroundings at all times, and make sure you hit every opportunity in order to get the best score. 

The spectators love it when you give them attention

   The unlock system works perfectly by giving incentive to get those 5 stars.  You will find yourself coming back for more just to beat your last score.  One feature missing is an instant retry button in case you make a fatal error early on.  Instead, you have to rely on killing yourself, which can get very frustrating on certain jumps.  The later levels provide an exhilarating challenge as you weave a path to safety, something which is never assured.

   This game may sound difficult, and indeed the mechanics are, but the developers thankfully give guidance throughout.  You are hand held through the beginner levels, and every stage has a short guide on how best to tackle the jump.  There is also a caffeine feature, where time is slowed down to give you a little respite.  However, I found this to be more troublesome than anything because it turns the world red, making it difficult to see scoring opportunities.  Overall, the tips in the game are a great feature, and most are written in a hilarious tone. 

   The humour in Aaaaa will definitely not be for everyone.  It’s quirky, dry, cynical, and scathing, and dare I say, somewhat random.  From the opening monologue you know what you’re in for.  This is what Aaaaa does best – it takes a setting and exaggerates it, treating it seriously in order to make it funny.  It’s a genuinely original idea, with superb writing to support it.  Unfortunately, a lot of the humour misses completely.  Still, if you want to learn how to de-bristle a pig, get hypnotised, and witness some very postmodern gaming, this is the one for you.

The game will have you jumping through hoops!

   There isn’t multiplayer as such, but there are global leader boards if that’s your thing.  If that isn’t enough interactivity for you, a level editor may be patched in soon.  This shows that the developers are listening to the players and are willing to implement community ideas.     

   Aaaaa is a very polished game with an exceptional look, feel, and sound.  The dystopian cyber-punk world is a preferable choice over making a base-jumping game set in real life.  The controls are intuitive and the game play is challenging.  The sound helps you in your flight for points, and there is some great music to plummet to.  While it may send you into a rage (though not as much as Trials 2) it a lot of fun for 15 USD.  Dejobaan have proven to be very close to their work and their fans, and if this indie title is anything to go by, I look forward to the next 75 years.