1000 Deaths, which launched yesterday, primarily pitches itself as a 3D platformer with some tricksy performs on gravity – however the working and leaping solely calls for half your consideration at most. The opposite half is devoted to shaping the lives of 4 variously maladjusted losers (who, like the remainder of their environment, resemble a baby’s crayon drawings made flesh), the platforming challenges being punctuated by destiny-altering choices to make on their behalf. Hints of VVVVVV, however with stronger notes of a Telltale journey that’s been left in a microwave.
I’m solely an hour and a bit in, so ix-nay on the eview-ray, but I’ve already dragged two of those oddballs from unhappy youth to depressing maturity, and am seemingly nicely on the best way to shattering the goals of a 3rd. That most likely appears like I’m deliberately being a bastard with my story selections, and/or that the sport delights within the distress of its flopping, lumpy-bodied forged. Neither is the case, although. 1000 Deaths is cynical, not sadistic, so whereas its story doesn’t at all times department out in methods you’d count on, it does handle to floor the selection choices in surprisingly relatable phrases.
Do you keep comfy in acquainted environment, or embrace a change? Play protected with the backing of a gaggle, or take the danger of working independently? Step again to let a pal shine, or tilt the scales in direction of your personal success? That cynicism does seep by way of in a lot of the outcomes – even the extra thoughtful protagonists can warp into immodest arseholes, given sufficient life achievements. All the identical, I’ve a sure respect for a way 1000 Deaths rejects each good vs. evil grandstanding and the temptation to wrap up the results of your choices with neat, little happily-ever-after bows.
First, although, every chance have to be unlocked inside the thoughts of your troubled bozo, which by some means requires you to nudge a legged tv by way of varied levels of brain-twanging platforming challenges. The gimmick right here is that gravity is oriented to the particular floor you’re standing on: observe a right-angled curve or a pivoting platform and that wall turns into the brand new flooring, however you’ll must get your surfaces lined up earlier than making a bounce, lest you smash screen-first into unfavourably angled geometry and plummet into the void.
Fortunately, it doesn’t really demand VVVVVV ranges of precision, although I’ve discovered myself needing to cease and suppose extra usually than I bear in mind doing within the 90’s and early 2000’s platformers that 1000 Deaths is visibly impressed by. And it’s relatively intelligent how with the ability to clamber over a number of sides of the identical construction – broadly attainable, with sufficient orientation-switching – makes the playable areas really feel larger and extra intricate than they bodily are.
I’m liking it, principally, even when my explicit selections have a tendency to provide way more ache and/or dickhead behaviour than I’d initially supposed. It’s out now on Steam, with 10% off for a number of days.
