We previously reported on the launch of The Meating, and now we’ve had the chance to have a proper butcher’s at the Switch version, so here’s our The Meating Switch review for you. As is so often the case with indie retro games today, production of The Meating was funded via a Kickstarter campaign, which in this case raised $33,381 in order to produce physical versions of the game for NES and Game Boy Advance, as well as a digital release of the game for Switch, which is out now on the eshop, and which is  the version we’re reviewing. The game has been developed by Mega Cat Sudios, with the Switch version being published by 8-Bit Legit, so you know you’re likely to be in for a prime cut of neo-retro gaming.

Much like how the game’s formats encompass the ancient (NES) to the modern (Switch), so too does the game’s story, telling the tale of an ancient minotaur, Kon, who is desperate to end his eternal loneliness, but who chooses a very modern approach to do so, in the form of online dating. However, this results in Kon facing a very modern pitfall when he’s catfished by a butcher, who does what butchers do, reducing Kon to a sentient head and bits of meat. Luckily for Kon, the ancient Greek God of meat, Gyros, has given him the chance to gather up his dismembered body parts to make him whole again. In The Meating, you assume the role of Kon, and you must puzzle your way through platform game levels, seeking keys to unlock the doors behind which your meaty parts have been hidden. With its key-based puzzling, the game plays a little like a more platform-oriented spin on the classic puzzler Solomon’s Key.

If we’re being honest, we didn’t much enjoy our first go of The Meating, but we’re very glad we persevered, as once we really got our teeth into it, we really started to appreciate the design of the puzzles, and very much enjoyed going on Kon’s quest with him. The Meating was originally developed for the NES, and it certainly has that typical NES look, with its pixel graphics, but which have been well designed, and which complement the game like horseradish sauce complements a tasty side of beef.

However, despite the technical limitations of its format of origin, the graphics of The Meating do an exceptional job of creating a mildly unnerving abattoir-type atmosphere, in which you can almost smell the rotting  animal carcasses which  hang from the walls, and the cavities of the chickens are depicted in surprisingly graphic detail considering the limitations of NES graphics! It’s enough to turn you veggie. Almost.

The Meating doesn’t exactly hold your hand to begin with, and some areas may appear inaccessible until the game’s mechanics click into place for you. We don’t really want to elaborate on this, as working the game out is a big part of the fun, and there really is a hefty chunk of fun to be had with The Meating.

If you like your retro-style platform games to be heavy on the thinking, rather than heavy on the action, then you’ll no doubt devour The Meating with relish, and with more than 40 levels to puzzle your way through, the game offers a meaty challenge, making it superb value for money, even if you probably won’t replay it once you’ve finally restored Kon to his original Minotaur magnificence.