Pato Box combines the classic Punch-Out!! fighting mechanic with a noir story, a black and white comic world, and a great soundtrack with a beady-eyed, anthropomorphic boxing duck. The game has a few flaws but accomplishes exactly what it intends to in taking a classic video game genre to new heights and would be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys Punch-Out!!, a new indie game, or cartoonish anthropomorphic ducks in general.
Everything that you need to know about Pato Box is in its title. The title itself, which literally translates to “duck box” or “boxing duck,” is the first of many jokes and poultry-puns that showcase the games quirky sense of humor (as if the muscular and cartoonishly inexpressive, anthropomorphic duck-faced protagonist did not). Kickstarter funded by Mexican indie developer group Bromeo, Pato Box follows Primo, known as Patobox, who is betrayed by his company, Deathflock, in a match with challenger Kilpatrick and left for dead in an alley. Rescued by Ms. “Faith” Feather, Patobox embarks on noir, Punch-Out!!– styled, quest for answers and vengeance against Deathflock.
Those familiar with the late 1980s NES classic Punch-Out!! will be familiar with the game mechanics: dodge left, dodge right, block, left hook, right hook. Repeat these controls and memorize boss patterns and you’ve got the hang of it. What Pato Box does differently is take this classic gameplay format and elevate it to the next level. Whereas the NES classic was a boss-rush, this game introduces levels of exploration before each boss where Patobox can collect “patokens” and uncover the secrets of Deathflock in a stunning black-and-white noir comic presentation. Those who want the classic Punch-Out!! experience will be dismayed to know that they have to progress through the story to unlock the characters in the game’s arcade mode (a wonderful inclusion), but for those who simply want a Punch-Out!! reiteration, I recommend replaying Punch-Out!! instead. While the story is not this game’s main attraction, the mysteries of Deathflock were enough to keep me engaged.
Lack of variety is not this game’s weakness, but it does suffer for it at times. Different levels are hit-and-miss, depending on the player. The casino level in which the player has to grind 300 chips to fight the boss is a fun if repetitive addition, whereas the food factory level in which the player has to challenge the chef Pizzicantra (yet another great name) pays for its stunning black-and-white level design with a tedious lack of depth perception that makes avoiding traps a genuinely frustrating endeavor.
The game suffers in other areas too. Occasional dialogues suffer in their delivery, likely due to losses in translation. There is also no health bar, you can only gauge your health by how bruised Patobox is. Unlike Punch-Out!!’s knockout system, opponents in Pato Box must be defeated in three progressively-more-challenging phases within a single life. And opponents do not take it easy on the player. Bosses, much like in the classic game, are unforgiving if the player has not memorized their attack patterns. This can be frustrating, but again, much like in the classic game, defeating a challenging opponent is part of the appeal and fills the player with a feeling of triumph not unlike the triumph of winning a boxing match.
Pato Box is nothing if not stylistic, from its story presentation to graphics and sound design. Tracks from the electronic, 80s styled soundtrack composed by Controvol are impeccably placed and progress with the player from building anticipation with a match with Kilpatrick to building suspense as the player has to flee from toxic fumes. An emotional and atmospheric piano-driven track in one of the game’s final boss fights was especially memorable, in part due to the switch from electronica, while the same can be said of the sound design that hinted to traps and further elevated the environment.
Ultimately, Pato Box takes a classic game genre and takes it to a new level with an interesting story and awesome visuals. The game suffers from a few flaws and it is safe to say that if you don’t like Punch-Out!! mechanics, you won’t like Pato Box either, but for those who do or just enjoy a great indie game, Pato Box has enough charisma and charm to warrant a round.
