Hayfever Announced For Multiple Platforms

This sounds like an interns attempt at a headline for a pandemic during pollen season at the local train station, or just a half-arsed titled by yours truly to give the announcement that Hayfever, from Zordix, will be out next month on PC, PS4, Switch and Xbox One.

Only two of those platforms really matter to me, but I’ll be looking at the Switch version in due course, as I see Hayfever doubling up as a title that both myself and daughter will want to play. Let’s keep the quick-fire platform titles on the Switch, so that Daddy can play grown-up games on the PS4.

Saying that I don’t think my eldest is going to find Hayfever particularly easy-going – this looks tough and on a sadistic level that us generation X gamers are accustomed to, or those who find solace in the madness of user-created Super Mario Maker 2 levels.

A16-bit title through and through. I have to say that it takes me back to similar titles from the era such as Zool and James Pond – the colours truly are eye-popping. In Hayfever, you play Postman Thomas, following a sneezing fit where the post he has to deliver is scattered all over the place. While his condition has been a hindrance, it’s also a superpower – allowing him to fly – which is nothing to be sneezed at. I had to.

Just looking at the sheer speed of this game makes me think that it’s a role for the Pro Controller rather than joy-cons. In the trailer, you barely see him touch the ground at all, so this is likely to be fast-paced throughout with hazards galore. If it is anything like Super Meat Boy, one of my all-time favourite titles, we may just have a winner on our hands.

From the official release details:

• A fast-paced, challenging platformer with cute and squishy pixel-art.
• Who needs double-jumping? Touch pollen to sneeze through the air.
• Gain other strange new powers from smog, peanuts and other allergens.
• 140 levels spread across four seasons, and 240 optional collectibles to track down.
• Designed for speed. Master its challenging movement and fly through the levels.
• A toe-tapping, whimsical soundtrack by Knasibas.

Hayfever is due out on the 25th February, and if I’m able to, I’ll aim to review this beforehand in due course.