Peglin Review – Nintendo World Report Analysis

I’ve always been someone who’s never really been drawn to games like Peggle. The idea of just sitting back and watching things unfold didn’t quite click with me. However, when Peglin was unexpectedly announced for the Nintendo Switch during a Nintendo Direct event, my curiosity was piqued. I thought it might serve as an interesting blend between idle gaming and the pinball-like mechanics I’ve started enjoying. That said, while Peglin didn’t entirely convert me into a diehard pachinko fan, its mechanics were engaging enough that I found myself coming back to it more often than I would have expected.

So, let’s dive into what Peglin is all about. Imagine a roguelike indie adventure where you’re tasked with wiping out enemies in various areas while gradually upgrading your arsenal before tackling a formidable boss. Sounds familiar, right? Peglin doesn’t exactly break new ground here, laying its cards on the table from the get-go. Its visual style—a retro, almost Microsoft Paint-esque pixel art—didn’t personally resonate with me, but it certainly adds character. The variety amongst the enemies and the ever-changing settings keep the journey exciting and fresh.

The crux of Peglin, though, lies in its gameplay, which could either make you a fan or leave you wanting more. Your main interaction is launching an orb at a pegboard, where each peg boosts the orb’s damage against opponents waiting above. While your control is limited to the direction of your shot, specific pegs can ramp up your coin count, amplify damage, unleash critical hits, or add unique effects to your assault. After each round, you can either invest in new orbs, adding them to a shuffle-every-time roster, or enhance the strength of your existing ones. The possible combinations and upgrades available can be a blast to discover, striking a nice balance. For instance, I stumbled upon an item that turned all my orbs into multiballs, doubling them with each launch, albeit restricting my shot direction—which added an intriguing layer of challenge, especially against bosses capable of tossing curveballs, like sticky pegs or summoning reinforcements.

Personally, my experience with Peglin has been a bit of a mixed bag. I found sheer delight in launching orbs and racking up damage, akin to a classic pinball game. Yet, there’s a considerable level of passivity. Once you deploy your orb, the strategic depth thins out considerably. Yes, positioning your strikes, particularly in tricky boss fights, is crucial, but beyond that, engagement levels dip. The game’s attempt at tutorials seemed a little lacking; for instance, I was well into play before realizing I could discard orbs from my lineup, which sometimes meant missing tactical opportunities to swap for an elemental attack better suited to certain foes. I found that I was often mulling over strategy rather than actively playing, which did throw up a bit of a mental blockade.

Like many roguelikes, Peglin is rife with randomness, which has tripped me up more than once. There were moments where, through sheer chance, I couldn’t overcome a battle that seemed winnable. Health recovery between skirmishes was scarce, and my well-laid attacks occasionally missed their high-damage pegs, leading to a less-than-ideal run. Starting from scratch every time means no permanent upgrades, leaving progression feeling more like serendipity than skill, which might deter some players. While these roadblocks often nudged me to set the game aside for extended breaks, its sheer addictive pull had me repeatedly returning, eager to test my luck once more.

In sum, Peglin isn’t necessarily for every gamer out there. The roguelike aspect coupled with the reliance on chance means it’s a slow grower. The mechanics could benefit from clearer explanations, and the lack of direct interaction with the board might frustrate as much as it fascinates. But beneath these quirks lies a solid core game that’s hard to stay away from. When everything clicks—when attacks and elements align just right—taking down bosses in a few choice hits is thoroughly rewarding. Though the entry threshold is higher than I’d prefer, once the orb starts its journey, it’s hard to hit pause. I predict Peglin will carve out its niche among those who enjoy having a captivating backdrop to their day, staying in the gaming landscape for a while.