Posted August 01, 2014
The title is my thesis here, and I have never been happier with a modern puzzle platform game than I have with the two Escape Goat releases. No similar game, in my opinion, approaches the polished perfection of these titles. And I'm not just talking about the visuals and audio, though those are superb and complement the game wonderfully. I'm talking about the puzzle design and the gameplay.
These games handle puzzles how I like them handled, the same way classics like Lemmings and Pushover did - through experimentation and interaction. I never once got frustrated beyond tolerance, nor felt like the designers had crafted some pixel-precise level to break my spirit. Instead when I fail I realise that I am taking a bad approach, and if I think things through I can find a better way.
I also applaud how extra elements (like the magic hat and tiny hammer) are introduced and used. They are there just enough to spice things up, and to allow for more interesting puzzle combinations, rather than to just overwhelm you with options.
Even the boss battles in the second game are fun, and I typically detest boss battle. But here you are using the boss to solve the level, and that gives it a very interesting "co-operative aggression" aspect.
I'm not one for lauding every game I like to the heavens, and I can see the flaws when they are there. But in this case these games are, to me, just about perfect. Just wanted to put that out there. :)
These games handle puzzles how I like them handled, the same way classics like Lemmings and Pushover did - through experimentation and interaction. I never once got frustrated beyond tolerance, nor felt like the designers had crafted some pixel-precise level to break my spirit. Instead when I fail I realise that I am taking a bad approach, and if I think things through I can find a better way.
I also applaud how extra elements (like the magic hat and tiny hammer) are introduced and used. They are there just enough to spice things up, and to allow for more interesting puzzle combinations, rather than to just overwhelm you with options.
Even the boss battles in the second game are fun, and I typically detest boss battle. But here you are using the boss to solve the level, and that gives it a very interesting "co-operative aggression" aspect.
I'm not one for lauding every game I like to the heavens, and I can see the flaws when they are there. But in this case these games are, to me, just about perfect. Just wanted to put that out there. :)
