Hazelnut Hex (2022)

Note: this is after clearing Normal Mode 1CC.

Breakfast has suddenly gone missing! Nat, the witch representative of the Hazelnut Hex breakfast cereal, will do battle with evil versions of her friends and find out how to save the day! With her squirrel friend Sam.

The game is a straightforward 5-stage shmup, with three types of shot, a bomb beam that charges over time, and a charge shot that accumulates when Nat isn't shooting. The special weapons mainly focus on clearing bullets to brute force through some enemy patterns, as the layouts are quite fast and difficult with no slowdown, somewhere in between the bullet curtain and the fast moving hazards of older shmups.

Luckily the pendant on Nat's neck is her only hurtbox, and the amount of lives and extends are tweakable in options. The game is difficult as is but if the player isn't concerned with 1CC they'll have plenty of chances to win and learn, with robust practice spots that can help focus on troubling later stages in a pinch.

The visual style is simple and not super animated but is a pastel wonderland, with expressive character portraits and "spoopy" themed baddies that are more cute than creepy. Stages are traditionally water, fire, ice, etc themed and have gentle earthy colors to balance out the sugary sweetness of the pinks and purples on display. The music is the true standout here, with chiptune and energetic rock that calls back to the likes of Anamanaguchi and enough pep to cheer someone up as they get torn down by bullet fire.

Hazelnut Hex is an indie labor of love, challenging but simple to pick up, and committed to having as many options to help out newer players and rich flavor that makes this a real treat to play!