PixlBit

Occasionally a game is released that can't be described due to how weird it is. Tomena Sanner is the latest zany game from Konami that is described as a "one-button wai wai action game", or in other words the whole game is controlled by one button.

In the game, you control Mr. Susumu, a faceless businessman that is in a rush to get to the end of the level for "Partytime" and then he breakdances on a stage. While the game looks like a platformer on the surface, it is actually a rhythm game with a forced progression element that requires players to press the A button at the correct time in order to overcome obstacles. If you fail to press the button at the correct time, you will "miss" and get a bad consequence, which will consume some of your remaining time. If you continue to perform poorly, your time will run out and you will ultimately have to re-attempt the level.

My favorite part of Tomen Sanner is simply how weird it is. Your obstacles are incredibly odd, ranging from regular things such as handrails to obscure things such as giraffes that fart on you or a triceratops that you can ride on. Also, whenever you successfully conquer, or miss, an obstacle, a really silly comment scrolls by appropriate to the current situation. This game constantly had me smiling and laughing due to how crazy everything is, even the parts that I couldn't comprehend due to all the strange things that were happening.

Also included in Tomena Sanner is a multiplayer mode that supports up to four players. All the multiplayer modes are simple races using the levels from the single player mode. However the stages must first be played and cleared in the single player mode. The only unique element in the multiplayer mode is that the players who are performing better will have a normal view, while players who are performing woefully will have a giant curtain blocking a portion of their view.

My biggest issue with the game is how long it lasts, since you can easily complete all the levels within thirty minutes. While the game has some replay value with the inclusion of turbo mode and a mode where all the levels can be played consecutively, there isn't much incentive other than aiming for a higher score on the online leaderboards. Since there is a lack of different gameplay elements, once you experience everything the game has to offer, you probably won't want to comeback.

Tomena Sanner is a good game due to how weird and unique it is. You will probably never encounter another game like it this generation and it's worth experiencing the game at least once. While it is a fun experience through all the levels, it's just a shame that the game is extremely brief and the fact that you can be burned out from it fast.