It’s a very busy season indeed for anyone involved in video game reporting, but we’re trying to include as many titles as we can in our coverage. Today, we’re diving into the latest on Scene Investigators, Lily In Puzzle World, Quadroids and El Paso, Elsewhere in a release roundup.
Scene Investigators review (PC)
Scene Investigators, developed by EQ Studios, shifts away from their previous title, The Painscreek Killings with a distinct detective experience of its own. Unlike its predecessor’s focus on an overarching narrative that’s yours to uncover, Scene Investigators opts for a series of case files, each requiring meticulous investigation. As a trainee in pursuit of a detective license, players delve into reconstructed crime scenes, relying on intuition to fill the gaps in the incomplete information provided to you. Despite occasional task-driven objectives, the game successfully engages players in solving cases, offering about seven to eight hours of immersive sleuthing across all of the cases included.
The first case, “The Missing,” intertwines three distinct crime scenes, demonstrating the game’s commitment to making sure the storytelling isn’t tied to one place as you traverse between the different scenes. Engaging environments, such as apartments and a police station, are well designed, fostering an engrossing investigative atmosphere as you see a lot of detail in each scene. Not having all the information adds complexity, requiring players to make calculated assumptions that you then have to follow up on, which contributes to a detective-like experience. You’ll need a perfect score in order to unlock the final case though, which makes that particular scenario feel a bit more demanding than the rest of the game.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, Scene Investigators offers a first-person perspective, allowing players to scrutinize details, examine items, and study environments. The absence of handholding and reliance on keen observational skills makes for a challenging investigative atmosphere. The game demands players to observe, evaluate, and deduce, and although some technical glitches can affect the experience, the engaging storytelling and dedication to detail make Scene Investigators a compelling choice for those who enjoy a bit of detective work as they puzzle case together.
But while Scene Investigators excels in engaging narratives and diverse crime scenarios, there are still areas that could benefit from improvement. The lack of a summary or cutscene at the end of each case is a missed opportunity at crafting a more immersive feeling. The developer’s been working on post-launch updates already though, so this one is looking to be a solid choice for those who are interested in the genre – if they manage to get rid of a few small audiovisual bugs and add a few more features, this is a winner.
Lily In Puzzle World review (PS5)
Lily In Puzzle World, crafted by Derik D.F. and published by Eastasiasoft, introduces players to a fun little adventure within a sketchbook universe, blending casual platforming with puzzles. As players take control of Lily, a lively sprite figure, they navigate through a charming world of black-and-white sketches infused with splashes of vibrant color – a simple but effective visual style. The game unfolds across 50 puzzle platforming stages, each presenting a different challenge, and Lily’s clear joy when she solves them adds a charming touch to an otherwise minimalistic environment.
The gameplay mechanics strike a balance between accessibility and engagement, allowing players to glide left or right while navigating Lily through single-screen challenges. Her ability to change shape introduces an interesting dynamic to the puzzles, enabling her to fit through tight spaces and reach elusive switches by changing her appearance. This adds depth to the puzzle-solving experience, ensuring players remain engaged as they adapt to increasingly complex obstacles and sequences. The respawning feature at the beginning of each level encourages experimentation and learning from mistakes, as it’s easy to try something out and jump back in.
The well-crafted puzzle designs incorporate various obstacles such as spikes, arrows and switches – all the usual suspects. Navigating each stage is satisfying, with a gradual increase in complexity as you progress. But despite its strengths, Lily in Puzzle World may not cater to those seeking a highly challenging experience or an intricate visual design. Nevertheless, for those who appreciate a pure, bite-sized platformer with tight controls and a delightful nice blend of challenge and accessibility, Lily in Puzzle World is a fun diversion that’s available at a budget price.
Quadroids preview (PC demo)
Checking out Quadroids, developed by Blue Loop, reveals a unique and challenging gameplay mechanic. The screen is divided into four sections, each with its own jump button, adding a novel layer of complexity to the platformer genre. The goal is to guide characters across screens, requiring players to adapt to the unconventional control scheme as your eyes dart around the screen to figure out where you’ll appear next before you fall into a trap. The game’s essence lies in continuous trial and error, and as the levels progress players have to control multiple characters simultaneously, fostering pattern recognition and collaborative problem-solving.
During Gamescom, we had the opportunity to experience a sneak peek of Quadroids, offering a blend of simplicity and intricate gameplay. The initial levels introduce players to controlling a single droid, gradually increasing in difficulty. The multi-droid scenarios, depicted in the game’s screenshots, present a challenging yet enjoyable puzzle-solving dynamic. The controls, mapped to different sections of the screen, add an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. From what we could see, Quadroids is set to promise a very engaging experience for players seeking a fresh take on platformers.
It’s worth noting that a demo for Quadroids is available, providing players with a firsthand look at its unique mechanics. Having tried the demo during Gamescom, we found the game to be a stimulating and brain-twisting experience. Controlling quadroids across four screens demands coordination and quick thinking, offering a promising blend of challenge and fun. The full release is anticipated to offer hundreds of levels, each testing players’ skills in terms of time, deaths, and jumps, akin to iconic platformers like Super Meat Boy but in a highly original way – one to look forward to.
El Paso, Elsewhere releases Accolades Trailer
Strange Scaffold recently unveiled a captivating accolades trailer for their supernatural neo-noir third-person shooter, El Paso, Elsewhere. The game, set in a reality-shifting motel infested with werewolves and vampires, received acclaim for its original hip-hop soundtrack, engaging slow-motion gameplay, and fully-voiced neo-noir story campaign.
While the game’s unique narrative approach and captivating voice acting certainly drew praise, some reviews also compared it to classics like Max Payne, acknowledging the familiar controls – which was more than enough for us to also try our hand at the game after seeing the new trailer. And despite some critiques about the level design feeling flat and the pacing in the early hours, El Paso, Elsewhere’s engaging storytelling and inventive take on vampire mythology make the critical acclaim feel well-deserved.
In summary, while the recently released accolades trailer showcases the game’s strengths, with a focus on its captivating narrative and distinctive gameplay elements, it was our own hands on time with it that made us realize this is a game that PlayStation owners should feel sorry about having to miss out on – thus far. The game’s attempt to blend a thrilling love story with supernatural action in a unique setting is a very engaging one, making El Paso, Elsewhere one of the standout indie titles of 2023.
Press Play Media 