Adult Swim, initially known for its irreverent and often bizarre late-night programming block on Cartoon Network, has steadily expanded its cultural footprint. But Why Is Adult Swim On The Rise, particularly in the realm of video games with Adult Swim Games? Titles like Rise & Shine offer a glimpse into their unique appeal and potential reasons for their growing influence. While Rise & Shine itself might stumble in some areas, it embodies the darkly humorous and visually striking style that has become synonymous with the Adult Swim brand, attracting a dedicated fanbase and contributing to their overall ascent.
Rise & Shine, developed by Super Awesome Hyper Dimensional Mega Team and published under the Adult Swim Games banner, presents a curious mix of adorable aesthetics and shocking violence. This juxtaposition, while not entirely novel, feels distinctly aligned with Adult Swim’s penchant for pushing boundaries and embracing unconventional content. The game’s premise, set in the cartoonish world of Gamearth invaded by Nexgen forces, immediately establishes this tonal duality. You play as Rise, a young boy thrust into a brutal conflict, armed with Shine, a talking, infinitely respawning revolver.
The gameplay mechanics blend side-scrolling platforming with twin-stick shooter elements. This combination, coupled with a cover system and varied ammo types (electric, explosive, guided), suggests a depth of gameplay that, on paper, could be engaging. However, much like Adult Swim’s programming can be polarizing, Rise & Shine’s execution is a mixed bag.
Visually, Rise & Shine is undeniably striking. In line with Adult Swim Games’ reputation for vibrant and stylized visuals, the animation is fluid and detailed. However, this strength becomes a double-edged sword. The sheer busyness and excessive color palette often hinder gameplay. Distinguishing interactive elements from background details proves challenging, leading to frustrating moments in both puzzle-solving and combat. This visual overload sometimes obscures the very gameplay it intends to enhance, a potential misstep in game design despite the artistic merit. This visual style, while initially appealing and fitting with the Adult Swim aesthetic, highlights a crucial aspect of why their rise isn’t without its critics – sometimes style can overshadow substance. The “busy” visual style in Rise and Shine is depicted in-game with vibrant colors and detailed animations.
Combat encounters, especially boss battles, suffer from similar clarity issues. While bosses are visually impressive, their hitboxes are often unclear. Without obvious visual cues indicating weak points, battles devolve into guesswork and frustration. This lack of intuitive design contrasts with the polished presentation and raises questions about playtesting and user experience, aspects crucial for sustained success in the competitive gaming market.
The game’s narrative and humor also reflect Adult Swim’s brand of edgy, referential content. Rise & Shine is laden with video game references, from Mushroom Kingdom-esque NPCs to a villain reminiscent of Marcus Fenix. This self-aware, meta-humor is a staple of Adult Swim programming, often resonating with a specific audience that appreciates irony and pop culture nods. However, in Rise & Shine, the humor feels forced and dated. References replace genuine jokes, and fourth-wall breaks become predictable punchlines. The game’s attempt at satire, critiquing the shift in gaming towards hyper-masculine shooters, feels heavy-handed and lacks the nuanced wit that characterizes the best of Adult Swim’s comedic output.
The tonal inconsistencies further detract from the experience. Rise & Shine attempts to blend cartoonish violence with genuine emotional weight. The protagonist, Rise, is portrayed as a vulnerable child who cries and expresses despair. Witnessing his repeated, graphic deaths, juxtaposed with juvenile humor, creates an unsettling and ultimately unfunny experience. While dark humor is central to Adult Swim’s identity, Rise & Shine struggles to strike the right balance. The game veers into gratuitous violence without the comedic payoff or meaningful commentary that would justify it. This tonal mishmash undermines both the humor and the potential emotional impact, leaving the player in a state of uncomfortable dissonance. The image shows Rise, the protagonist, in a state of distress, highlighting the game’s tonal clash between cartoonish violence and attempts at emotional depth.
Ultimately, Rise & Shine, while visually appealing and bearing the Adult Swim Games stamp, exemplifies both the strengths and weaknesses of the brand’s approach to gaming. The bold visual style and dark humor are present, aligning with Adult Swim’s recognizable identity. However, the game suffers from gameplay clarity issues, tonal inconsistencies, and humor that falls flat. While Rise & Shine may not be a definitive answer to “why is Adult Swim on the rise?”, it serves as a case study. Adult Swim’s ascent is likely fueled by its consistent brand identity, its willingness to take risks on unique and unconventional projects, and its connection with a specific audience that appreciates its edgy and often experimental content. However, to solidify its position and broaden its appeal, Adult Swim Games, like Adult Swim programming, needs to ensure that substance keeps pace with style, and that its edgy humor lands with intention and impact. Rise & Shine hints at the potential, but also highlights the areas needing refinement for Adult Swim Games to truly ascend in the gaming world.
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Disclosures: This game is developed by Super Awesome Hyper Dimensional Mega Team and published by Adult Swim Games. It is currently available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Switch. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the Switch. Approximately four hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated Mature and contains Violence, Blood and Gore and Language. Despite the cartoonish visual style, this is an extremely violent game, with characters constantly being blown to bloody pieces.
Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available in the options.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: All dialogue is text-based, and sound plays no vital role in the game. It’s fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: No, this game’s controls are not remappable. The game’s control scheme is fixed, limiting player customization and accessibility.
By Mike Suskie. Mike Suskie, a video game critic, analyzes the game ‘Rise & Shine’ in the context of Adult Swim Games’ growing presence in the industry.
