12 is Better Than 6

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Title: 12 is Better Than 6
Developer: Ink Stains Games
Publisher: Hypetrain Digital
Website:http://12bt6.com/
Genre: Adventure, Shooter, Action
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Audience: 16
Release Date: 05/03/2019
Price: £8.99 – Rapid Reviews UK was very kindly provided with a review code for this title.

What the Developers say

12 Is Better Than 6 is a hand-drawn pen-and-ink shooter with stealth elements, taking place in the Wild West. The main character was wrongfully incarcerated, and he’s now trying to escape at all cost so that he can get his revenge. Live through the journey of an escaped Mexican prisoner fighting for survival and freedom in the 1870s in the United States. Above all, it’s a story about people, their lives, and how these people tried to forge their own little heaven in a violent, yet hopeful, New World.

Introduction

What is black, white and red all over? Oh no, wait, that joke doesn’t work when written!

It does, however, provide a somewhat accurate description of the latest title by developers, ‘Ink Stains Games’ and popular publishers, ‘HYPETRAIN DIGITAL.’ 12 is better than 6 is a top-down shooter that oozes personality through its beautifully hand-crafted designs and wild west theme. It is difficult not to reference Hotline Miami when discussing this game, but it is imperative that this game is considered in its own right as it is a blast!

Looks and Sounds

The age-old discussion of graphics vs art-style rages on, and 12 is better than 6 provides yet another excellent argument for art-style. Hand-drawn using pen and paper, ‘Ink Stains Games’ have created a unique selling point in its own right. I was enamoured by the artistic originality on display and found it to be most endearing. Whether docked, handheld or projected, the tantalising charm of the visuals was ever-present.

Although outshone by the visuals, the audio elements of this title serve a purpose as they continue to develop the wild-west theme. With well-chosen country tunes and the click of the barrel loading in the chamber, the game should be played with headphones or on a speaker system.

Gameplay and Replayability

Comparisons to Hotline Miami are not without reason, as the game amalgamates all that was right about its inspired counterpart, and gives it a fresh gloss of pen and paper. Its story is a little less abstract, and the guns are more in keeping with the period, and it has the feel of a slightly more realistic affair. This is to its credit, but also means that it loses its appeal a little quicker too which is a shame. For all the ridiculousness and bravado of Hotline Miami, it still managed to keep people entertained for the duration.

I find the stand out feature of 12 is better than 6 to be the combat with a gun. Much like Hotline requires an element of strategy and planning, 12 is better than 6 makes this as important as ever with the need to ‘cock’ your gun before shooting. This inevitably means things become fiddlier, and it was less of a pick-up-and-play title than Hotline proved to be. However, when the controls were mastered, and the plan was top notch, the game came into its own, and I enjoyed every minute.

Conclusion

With an art style that is hard to fault and a number of funky upgrades which aim to keep things fresh and engaging, ‘Ink Stains Games’ have provided a title which has the potential to see success both now as a single title and later as a series. I am keen to see what they do next, but in the meantime, I am sure to continue to have fun with 12 is better than 6. If only it had multiplayer – now that would have been something!

Rapid Reviews UK Rating

You can purchase 12 is Better Than 6 on the Nintendo eShop at the following link,
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/12-is-Better-Than-6-1522569.html#Overview