Back in 2020 I’ve played Human: Fall Flat which is an “open-ended physics-based puzzle platformer”. I like its concept: what matters is what you can do with your own two hands, there’s no inventory or superpowers. The puzzles themselves are rather easy and the challenge comes from taming the wobbly physics.
There’s a weird disconnect in the presentation. The game appears to be light-hearted and goofy while music is serious, sad ambient piano.
Description doesn’t say if it’s a competitive or a cooperative experience but I’ve played it with a friend as a co-op (because I’m looking for games similar to Portal 2).
This is where we run into some problems:
- levels can be completed solo so you don’t actually need the other person
- completing a section changes respawn point for all players (a catch-up mechanic). I find this annoying because I want to engage with the puzzles too and not just be dragged along
- level changes as soon as any player reaches the exit so we decided to wait for each other and jump into the pit together. I hate when I’m the middle of a puzzle and suddenly loading screen appears
So the game seems to be structured as a race but it’s not explicit about it. There’s no progress track, no score table, no declaration of a winner. These elements would define my expectations so that I could play it the intended way. Perhaps the game was meant to be amorphous but then it’s not satisfying for either mode of play.
Nevertheless, we had a few fun moments like trying to rescue friend who’s hanging from a ledge or my buddy becoming a stowaway by grabbing my legs while I’m swinging.
In summary the design falls flat and I would prefer a more directed experience.