Playdate Season Two: Quirky Adventures Begin!

Since its debut in 2022, the Playdate has welcomed a plethora of games, a quick glance at itch.io or the Catalog shop confirms this. However, the handheld’s seasonal approach adds a distinctive charm, with Season 2 recently underway. Upon its initial launch, the Playdate featured 24 games from acclaimed indie developers, released weekly, which served as a fantastic introduction to the quirky yellow device and its crank. Now, as we dive into Season 2, it kicks off with a strong start — complete with an intriguing mystery.

This new season will span six weeks and introduce 12 games, with two new releases arriving each week. The full collection can be yours for $39. To kick things off, we have two contrasting games. Fulcrum Defender, created by FTL: Faster Than Light developer Subset Games, presents a modern twist on the classic Asteroids gameplay. Players navigate a small ship in the center of the screen, shooting at squares approaching from all directions. The unique twist comes from using the crank to rotate the ship and aim shots. Additionally, there’s a roguelike element, allowing for random upgrades like new weapons or bullet spreads as you progress. The objective is to survive for a continuous 10 minutes.

This game poses a good challenge — thus far, I’ve only managed to excel on easy mode — but it surprisingly fosters a calm atmosphere, evoking that zen feeling that the best shooters and puzzle games inspire. Its lo-fi soundtrack enhances this experience, making headphones a must. It’s genuinely immersive gameplay.

On the flip side, we have Dig Dig Dino!, developed by Dom2D and Fáyer, which they claim is “perfect for playing while watching TV! No urgency, no fast reflexes required!” This puzzle game transports you to various dig sites in search of dinosaur bones, artifacts, and other finds. You’re limited in the number of moves per dig, but with time, you can upgrade your digging capacity and acquire new tools for smashing rocks or digging deeper. It’s a charming adaptation resembling Minesweeper, crafted for short gaming bursts. While it may not be overly challenging, uncovering a significant dinosaur bone right before your moves run out brings a delightful sense of satisfaction.

These two games exemplify the range of experiences available on the Playdate; one caters to quick gameplay while the other supports longer, more concentrated sessions. However, the launch week package also includes something quite peculiar. Blippo Plus lets you flip through a variety of TV channels using the crank. Some channels display nothing but static, while others feature bizarre FMV segments of unusual TV shows or commercials. One segment, titled Tantric Computing, comprises nothing but close-up shots of a person using a computer mouse. Another, Werf’s Tavern, seems to be a musical talk show. There’s even a messaging tool and a quirky fax service.

Perhaps the most captivating aspect of Blippo Plus is not only its eccentricity but also its evolving mystery that unfolds throughout the season. Playdate creator Panic suggests that “owners of Season 2 should tune in weekly and ensure they’re connected to WiFi for updates, which occur at 10 AM PT every Thursday.” Exciting titles are set to join