The recent explosion of old-school indie games, players have a kaleidoscope of choices at their disposal, from platformers, to adventurers, to puzzlers. Indie studio Puuba’s first title, Concursion, weaves a number of these genres into a singular, astonishing experience, and players now have the opportunity to sample it via a recently released demo. 

Concursion’s plot is nothing new; someone called Lord Biganbad has captured “the princess,” whoever she is, and you must rescue her. Where this game breaks rank with other titles of its ilk is in the manner with which it constantly switches things up mid-gameplay.

One moment you’ll be stomping on hapless creatures a la Super Mario Bros, and in the next you’ll be soaring across space gunning down enemy ships in 2-D sidescrolling fashion, and in the next you’ll be hacking and slashing your way past ninjas and samurai, just like in the Shinobi and Ninja Gaiden series.

Of course, Concursion utilizes its gameplay schizophrenia to more creative effect. In one instance of the demo, you are presented with a platform that is impossible to reach as your current Mario-style character. However, there is a small portal into the hack-n-slash world suspended in the air in between you and said platform. Jumping into the vicinity of the portal will momentarily change you into the ninja character, who has the ability to double jump. You must essentially double jump during your brief time as the ninja, so that once you exit the portal back into platforming world, your momentum will carry you onto the previously inaccessible platform.

Concursion’s controls are painfully simple, consisting only of movement and two function keys, but mastery of the game’s five genres is crucial, as the game contains numerous instances in which one must traverse a number of said genres within the span of a few seconds, or else face instant death.

Also complimenting the gameplay is a unique and dynamic soundtrack  by Emmy nominated composer Christopher Hoag, whose credits include House M.D. Throughout the game, the soundtrack will be shifting and changing stylistically as you phase in and out of different universes and genres, while staying melodically and rhythmically seamless.

This is the first game being developed by Puuba, who are based out of Encino, California and led by Danny Garfield. In addition to the demo, Concursion is on sale for $5 until the 18th, so this is a good opportunity to try it out and decide if Puuba’s debut title is worth your money.