ICEY is a Hot Game That’s Now on Nintendo Switch

Released in 2016 on PC, and now available on Nintendo Switch, ICEY could have just been a standard run-of-the mill 2D side-scrolling action game. Thankfully, it’s much more.

It doesn’t take long after you’ve booted up ICEY for it to become clear that you’re in for something different. Introduced to your playable character, the titular ICEY, the narrator’s voice has a tone to it that’s commanding. He’s not merely commentating on the events that are unfolding; rather, he’s directing them.

Getting up to speed

Awakening from your slumber, you’re taken through numerous scenarios to get your combat and navigation skills up to speed. Once you’re deemed capable of looking after yourself that’s it, you’re let loose. Your aim? To hunt down and destroy the cyborg named Judas.

You’ll not be all that sure of the reasoning why you need to kill Judas, but hey, it’s a video game, you do as you’re told, right? As you begin to find your feet in the world presented to you though, you’re likely to begin to question your actions. Presented with a fork in the road, the narrator will ask you to go one way. If you’re inquisitive, however, you might decide to go the other way first. And the first time you do so, you’ll discover that maybe everything isn’t as it seems.

I won’t do what you tell me

Making the narrator mad is all too easy, and in his anger you detect frustration. Frustration that you didn’t do as you were told. Over time, you can’t help but wonder why. And eventually, you’ll begin to question everything. Are you real? Do you really have free-will? Is Judas really the enemy? Or will you fall in line with the narrator’s commands like a lap dog? It’s all for you to discover.

ICEY isn’t the longest of games; your first playthrough is likely to take less than three hours. Chances are you’ll play through it multiple times though, in an effort to see all aspects of its story. And it’s a very enjoyable game to play, too.

The fast and the thoughtful

Combat is fast-paced and fun, and it’s kept interesting by the many unlockable skills and upgrades you can acquire. It’s not perfect, though; being juggled by enemies and sustaining hefty amounts of damage because of it can be very frustrating. On the whole though, the action elements are enjoyable, complementing the narrative to provide an adventure that holds your attention.

So, if you’ve got a Nintendo Switch and want a game that will get you thinking and provide some challenging combat, give ICEY a whirl. It costs only £7.59/$9.99 so it’s not going to break the bank, but it might just break your conceptions of what games should be.