Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Devilish: The Next Possession reinvents the classic paddle-and-ball formula by introducing a second, freely rotating paddle at the top of the screen. While the lower paddle behaves like a traditional Pong setup—preventing the ball from falling out of play—the upper paddle can be positioned and angled to redirect the ball with precision. This dual-paddle mechanic offers both defensive and offensive opportunities, requiring you to balance careful positioning with calculated strikes.

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The game’s level design revolves around brick formations, environmental obstacles, and patrolling demon minions. As you advance through each stage, the bricks and enemies are arranged in increasingly complex patterns, demanding that you master both speed and spin. Hitting special gems or defeating certain demons can trigger power-ups—such as a rapid-fire paddle expansion or multi-ball mode—adding further strategic depth to every encounter.

Boss battles punctuate your ascent through the game’s tower of challenges. Each boss boasts a unique attack pattern, from sweeping fireballs to summoned minions, compelling you to adapt your control of the upper paddle on the fly. These showdowns test your reflexes and planning skills, making for satisfying climaxes to each world. Controls are responsive and intuitive, whether you’re playing with a keyboard, gamepad, or even a touchscreen interface, ensuring the dual-paddle concept feels smooth and rewarding.

Graphics

Visually, Devilish: The Next Possession strikes a balance between retro charm and modern polish. The stone paddles that once held a prince and princess are carved with subtle details, and the bright blue sphere stands out against dark backgrounds filled with crumbling bricks and menacing demon motifs. Each element is crisp, with smooth animations that make every collision and explosion feel impactful.

Backgrounds shift as you climb higher into the demon’s stronghold, moving from torch-lit dungeons to lava-spewing chambers. These environmental changes keep the experience fresh, while clever use of parallax scrolling adds depth without distracting from the core action. Enemy sprites are distinctive—tiny imps scurry along brick surfaces, and larger demons cast ominous shadows, all rendered in a cohesive art style that pays homage to classic arcade titles.

The game’s visual effects shine brightest during power-up activations and boss attacks. Sparks fly when the sphere deflects off an energized paddle, and bricks burst into particles that briefly light up the screen. Even simple transitions between levels feature short fade-ins and stylish UI callouts, demonstrating that Genki’s first foray into game development is built on an attention to detail usually reserved for bigger studios.

Story

At its heart, Devilish: The Next Possession tells a fairy-tale-inspired tale of love and jealousy. A jealous demon named “Y” has petrified a prince and princess, transforming them into stone paddles trapped within his lair. The arrival of a mystical blue sphere offers a glimmer of hope, imbuing the paddles with motion and purpose: to fight their way back to humanity.

The narrative is delivered primarily through brief cutscenes and background art, ensuring it enhances rather than interrupts the core action. As you progress, you uncover hints of the demon Y’s motives, from jealousy-fueled monologues to subtle environmental clues scattered across each level. The story is simple yet effective, providing players a compelling reason to push on through the tougher stages and face off against Y himself.

Although the plot doesn’t delve deeply into character backstories, it succeeds in giving the gameplay stakes and emotional resonance. Every destroyed brick or fallen minion feels like a step closer to breaking the curse. The fairy-tale framework also lends the game a timeless, almost mythic quality, turning each level into a chapter in the paddles’ quest for redemption.

Overall Experience

Devilish: The Next Possession delivers an addictive blend of classic arcade action and inventive new mechanics. The dual-paddle system elevates a familiar formula, rewarding players who invest time in mastering paddle angles, timing, and power-up strategies. Sessions can be as short as a single boss fight or extended into marathon runs across multiple levels, catering to both casual and hardcore audiences.

While the visual and narrative elements are polished for a debut effort, the true highlight remains the gameplay loop. The steady introduction of new obstacles, power-ups, and enemy types keeps momentum high, and the boss battles are frequent enough to feel like milestones without bogging down the pacing. Sound design and music complement the action with punchy effects and a driving soundtrack that adapts to the intensity of each encounter.

Overall, Devilish: The Next Possession is an engaging and inventive paddle game that stands out in a crowded indie market. Its straightforward controls and charming story make it accessible to newcomers, while the layered mechanics and level variety ensure lasting replay value. Fans of retro arcades and modern twist-on-classics alike will find plenty to love in this demon-slaying odyssey.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10