In Orten Was The Case, Woodhill Interactive invites players to embark on a time-looped journey as Ziggy, an unexpected hero entangled in the mysteries of a fictional Swedish neighborhood. While the game promises a unique narrative experience with its intriguing premise, the PlayStation 5 version of Orten Was The Case encounters both highs and lows, offering a blend of engaging storytelling and some rougher edges.
Narratively, the game introduces an enigmatic plot where Ziggy finds himself stuck in a time loop after a mysterious explosion rocks his neighborhood. The player is tasked with unraveling the secrets of Orten, a town hiding more than its fair share of mysteries. The game employs a time-loop mechanic, emphasizing the importance of knowledge as players accumulate clues, notes, and events across loops to progress the story. The overarching narrative adds depth to the game, presenting a captivating challenge in preventing a catastrophic disaster that’s far larger than Ziggy could have imagined.
However, the narrative’s execution encounters some stumbling blocks. While the time-loop concept is fascinating, the game’s mechanics can impede the overall enjoyment. The blend of 2.5D hand-painted visuals and platforming elements leads to a disconnect, where the controls aren’t smooth enough to avoid a few frustrating obstacles. Overly specific angles are sometimes required, and jumping can feel awkward. A checkpoint system offers some relief, yet the overall experience feels hindered by the game’s mechanics, preventing it from reaching its full potential – which probably would have been better served as a traditional point and click adventure to let its narrative shine.
As you explore the intertwining timelines of Orten, it becomes apparent that Orten Was The Case’s unique approach to time-loop progression can also lead to moments of dissatisfaction. The player’s sense of freedom, while encouraging exploration, occasionally results in retracing steps and repeating actions. In addition, a few technical bugs, such as disappearing items, instantly break your immersion.
Visually, “Orten Was The Case” blends a 2D and 3D aesthetic, creating a unique portrayal of a Swedish suburb. The art style fits the narrative and characters well, though the game could have used more standout locations and/or characters – what’s there has a tendency to blend together. The audio blends in through a similar fashion, with an ambient soundtrack that dynamically changes as you explore.
In conclusion, Orten Was The Case on PlayStation 5 is a clever time loop adventure that struggles to reach its full potential due to inconsistent and rough mechanics. The narrative premise, while captivating, is hindered by the execution of gameplay elements, particularly when it comes to the controls and platforming sections. The game’s unique approach to progression, with a focus on knowledge-based storytelling, offers a distinctive experience, but technical bugs are frustrating and should be fixed. Orten Was The Case stands as an indie title with interesting artistic choices, impressive puzzles, and a fresh take on the time loop genre, albeit with some shortcomings that may impact player satisfaction. With some post-launch love, this could be an indie adventure well worth checking out.
Score: 6.8/10
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