Perhaps it’s the fact that the Switch is getting long in the tooth, perhaps it’s me creeping towards 4000 games reviewed on the system, or perhaps it’s just that something didn’t click with Skeler Boy… but my main feeling reflecting on it is indifference. I do believe that there’s a function of total games played that contributes to this slowly-emerging trend, and I suppose that’s a pretty fair perspective to have at this point. If you’re releasing games that easily slip into the rearview mirror to join countless others as just not being terrible, but not really doing anything to leave a lasting impression, maybe it even isn’t terribly mean of me to just share that’s how I feel.

What Skeler Boy does put some effort into, and mostly succeeds in, is setting a certain mood. Aside from the pixel graphics there’s just an older-school sensibility here as you work through this somewhat unusual adventure. I do believe that there is an air to the 80s-ish era captured somehow in the game’s essence, and I did appreciate that. I also think that when they work some of the sudden surprises the game springs on you can be a shock and help create some real tension.

The problem is, there are also occasions where the surprises are ones that aren’t fun, don’t leave you wanting more, and instead frustrate. Whether it’s some of the puzzles being odd, moments where you really just feel stuck without any clue what you’re even supposed to be doing, or just stretches where your attention wanders to thoughts of having something else you could be doing, the game flips pretty hard between the mildly engaging and the utterly mundane. This is just one of those titles where it feels like you’re either going to vibe with it, or you won’t. I’m completely willing to accept that perhaps the problem is me, but with as many other adventures over the years that have done a far better job of getting and keeping my attention, this just didn’t grab me.