I absolutely love, love, love couch cooperative games. Whether it is Tools Up, Moving House, or Overcooked, they never get old. Yes, they cause arguments and the occasional thrown controller, but I never tire of the simple core mechanics. Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded is another addition to this genre and a game I couldn’t resist.
This couch coop party game was developed by DjArcas. It is an up to 4-player affair and is rudimentary when compared to its peers. However, I was willing to overlook the basic approach as I liked the theme and thought that forklift driving couldn’t cause too many arguments. Well, I was wrong as I fell out with my wife and kids more times than I like to admit. Yet, it was still funny, and I think our relationship is stronger as a consequence.
Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded tells no story.
Who needs a plot when you have a forklift truck to drive? Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded believes this is the case, as there is no plot in sight. I have no idea why the team is moving exploding parcels from point A to B, C, or D, and quite frankly, I don’t care. All I know is there is a job to be done and little time to do it.
100 levels stand between you and completion. Additionally, you must be perfect if you want to unlock every achievement. If this is your thing, I doth my cap as I certainly don’t want to be perfect in such a rage-inducing affair.
Simple mechanics.
Every level is a straightforward experience. Despite the obvious objective, you will still fail more often than not. You control a forklift as you race around a small arena. The factory has conveyor belts that deliver parcels, boxes, containers, and other movable items. As the parcel hits the factory floor, a number will appear above it. This number represents the number of turns before it tells you where it needs to be delivered.
4 potential bays may be selected, and it is your job to deliver the parcel to the correct area before the time runs out. If the timer expires, the parcel explodes and you lose money. As the factories expand, you must navigate an array of tight mazes while avoiding objects. Finding, moving, and delivering each package isn’t an easy task and bombs exploding left, right, and centre become the new norm.
Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded has a polished voxel finish.
Unlike other indie games, Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded has a more polished voxel finish. Additionally, the small areas and top-down finish work well with the hectic and often patience-testing gameplay. Whenever this is played with multiple people, it can be hectic and confusing. Add in countless boxes, and you find yourself in an Amazon warehouse that is a ticking time bomb.
The audio is a jazz-infused, high-energy affair. The music plays on a never-ending loop that will drive you bonkers. Although I enjoyed the soundtrack, it was a bit intense considering the number of levels you have to complete. Alongside this, the sound effects are loud, simple, and effective.
Simple controls and time-consuming replay value.
The controls are simple but take some getting used to. Moving your Rear Wheel Drive forklift is a little clumsy. Furthermore, avoiding your coworkers and countless obstacles is no mean feat. Subsequently, arguments are guaranteed from the opening level.
If you are a completionist, Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded will break your soul! Completing every level is almost a test of endurance, and remaining methodical, calm, and grounded is a challenge in itself. As such, though there is replay value, it is an almighty grind fest.
Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded is fun but tough.
Forklift Certified: Stacked and Loaded is going to be divisive. It isn’t as good as its peers, and the content is pretty shallow. However, it is fun and you will fall out, laugh, and complain to one another. Unfortunately, there is no online action, and this holds it back. Moreover, the gameplay is somewhat limited, and this will reduce its appeal. Yet, despite these issues, I enjoyed it and I recommend you get a copy from the Xbox store!
Overall
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CX Score - 60%60%
60%
Summary
Pros
- Fun voxel graphics
- Guaranteed to cause an argument
- Plenty of replay value
- Affordable
Cons
- Shallow gameplay
- Repetitive
- Not as good as its peers