Game: INC: The Beginning
Genre: Arcade, Action, Platformer
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows) and mobile)
Developer|Publisher: Orange Pixel
Age Rating: EU 7 | US Everyone
Price: US $4.99 | UK 4.99 | EU € 4.99
Release Date: October 23rd, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Orange Pixel.
INC: The Beginning – A Familiar Face with a Slightly Different Style
OrangePixel has a knack for creating no-nonsense retro-inspired games that are easy to pick up and play. INC: The Beginning continues that trend, a stripped-back, pixel-art platform shooter with that unmistakable OrangePixel attitude. But while I usually click with this developer’s work, this one didn’t quite hit the same highs as Gun Slugs. It’s still enjoyable in bursts, just not as memorable.
Saving Dr. Robotus, One Beacon at a Time
Set in the year 2135, INC: The Beginning drops you into a future ruled by AI corporations where humans are gradually being replaced by machines. You play as a lone robot hero on a mission to save the kidnapped Dr. Robotus, humanity’s last hope, naturally.
Each level tasks you with finding three energy beacons before reaching the exit. Sounds simple enough, but the game demands sharp reflexes and a bit of exploration. How quickly you finish and other mini objectives determine your star rating, a clear carryover from its mobile roots. Short, snappy, and built for bite-sized play sessions.
The structure works well for Switch, too, but the gameplay itself can feel a bit uneven. There’s that satisfying rhythm of run, jump, and shoot, yet it’s also where the cracks begin to show.
Platforming with Personality (and Rough Edges)
At first, INC plays as a quick-paced platform shooter where you blast your way through robotic enemies, shoot the odd switch, and hop between platforms. Your weapon is a rapid-fire gun that feels good to use, and there’s a pleasing arcade simplicity to how it all starts.
But the honeymoon doesn’t last long. Health drains fast, and enemies or traps can catch you off guard in cheap ways. The game’s difficulty spike can be frustrating, especially when progress ties directly to its level-up system. Perform well, and your weapon upgrades. Die too often, and you lose experience, a mechanic that feels unnecessarily punishing. The system technically encourages careful play, but when so many deaths feel out of your control, it starts to feel more like a chore than a challenge.
Platforming can also be fiddly. Some running jumps feel they require near-perfect precision, making platforming more clunky than fluid. There’s fun to be found once you get into the flow, but it’s the kind of fun that demands a particular mindset, of acceptance and patience for the game’s rough side.
A Moodier Tone
There’s something to be said, though, for how INC stands out visually. It takes a darker turn from the studio’s usual vibrant palette, trading bright colours for something moodier. Characters appear in shades of black and white against stark backdrops, painting a world that feels post-apocalyptic yet strangely stylish. It’s a good look, even if what lies beneath the art isn’t quite as striking.
Performance-wise, the Switch version runs smoothly, and levels load quickly, which helps make retrying a little less painful. It’s also worth noting that the game is priced very reasonably, so while it might not stick with you for long, it’s not exactly a major investment to give it a go.
Conclusion: A Bit of a Mixed Signal
INC: The Beginning is a tough one to pin down. On one hand, it’s stylish, fast-paced, and brimming with that OrangePixel DNA, simple ideas executed with confidence. On the other hand, its sharp difficulty curve, uneven platforming, and grindy levelling system make it hard to fully fall in love with.
Still, for players who thrive on challenge and appreciate old-school design with modern flair, there’s something potentially here worth exploring. It’s a quick little platformer that plays best in short bursts.
I didn’t love it, but I respect what it’s going for, and challenge-seekers might just click with it more than I did.
Final Verdict: I’m Not Sure
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