Publisher: Curve Studios
Developer: Curve Studios/Mike Bithell
Genre: Platformer
Release Date: April 23, 2013
MSRP: $9.99
Developer: Curve Studios/Mike Bithell
Genre: Platformer
Release Date: April 23, 2013
MSRP: $9.99
A simple but moving platformer:
Thomas Was Alone's developer describes the game as being about "friendship and jumping." That's good, because the game hits these two themes perfectly. The game follows a red rectangle named Thomas, the first self aware AI. In the beginning, he is alone. But as you progress through the game, Thomas meets more and more rectangles. Each rectangle has their own personalities - some are friendly, others are cold - and abilities - one can float on water, one can jump really high, one can stack itself to make a staircase of sorts, one acts as a trampoline to bounce the other rectangles higher, etc. Despite there being no facial expressions on these solid color rectangles, the narrator does a fantastic job of getting emotions across through his voice. You can identify with some rectangles and dislike other ones. Each rectangle has its own very distinct personality and you will care for these characters by the end - especially when some rectangles develop friendships or even crushes on other rectangles!
Thomas Was Alone's developer describes the game as being about "friendship and jumping." That's good, because the game hits these two themes perfectly. The game follows a red rectangle named Thomas, the first self aware AI. In the beginning, he is alone. But as you progress through the game, Thomas meets more and more rectangles. Each rectangle has their own personalities - some are friendly, others are cold - and abilities - one can float on water, one can jump really high, one can stack itself to make a staircase of sorts, one acts as a trampoline to bounce the other rectangles higher, etc. Despite there being no facial expressions on these solid color rectangles, the narrator does a fantastic job of getting emotions across through his voice. You can identify with some rectangles and dislike other ones. Each rectangle has its own very distinct personality and you will care for these characters by the end - especially when some rectangles develop friendships or even crushes on other rectangles!
Gameplay consists of controlling the rectangles - all of them at some points - and getting them to the end of the level. Some levels will bend your mind with how to need to use the rectangles to help each other get to the finish. Others require fast paced platforming, and others require very precise platforming - these get a bit difficult and frustrating but once you get used to it it isn't so bad. While all the rectangles will eventually be together at some point, you will get some levels where you're only using two or three of them - this allows for character and relationship building, which adds a lot to the story and overall experience. The controls are very tight and responsive, but there will be a couple misjudged jumps that result in frustrating deaths. The checkpoint system is somewhat forgiving so this isn't a big issue though.
The graphics are minimalistic but attractive, the sound design is great, and the gameplay is fun. The only thing on the lacking side is the lasting appeal. To beat all 100 levels, it will take around 3-5 hours, and will often be completed in just 1-3 sittings. There are 20 tiny, hidden squares to find (which earn you trophies), but after finding those, there really isn't reason to play again. This is a story best experienced its first time through; afterwards it loses some of that special charm you got from your initial playthrough. Overall, I would definitely recommend Thomas Was Alone to anyone who likes platforming gameplay with a puzzle twist.
Pros:
+Minimalist but attractive graphics
+Fantastic and emotion filled narration, great soundtrack
+Fun gameplay that makes you think and make precise movements to complete the level and solve puzzles
+Some collectables to be found...
Cons:
-...but they don't add or unlock anything
-No real lasting value
8.5 Graphics: The graphics are minimalistic yet still undeniably attractive
10 Sound: The narration is fantastic, it conveys lots of emotions that really make you care for these rectangles; the soundtrack is great as well
9.0 Gameplay: The gameplay is fun - it does make you think to complete some puzzles and reach certain objectives, and some platforming sequences do require very precise jumps and placements of rectangles, but its an overall very enjoyable experience
7.0 Lasting Appeal: The story is great, but there isn't really a reason to play through it again. You may want to go back to get the collectables if you care about trophies, but otherwise there isn't a very compelling reason to play through again
Overall: 8.4
Great
Pros:
+Minimalist but attractive graphics
+Fantastic and emotion filled narration, great soundtrack
+Fun gameplay that makes you think and make precise movements to complete the level and solve puzzles
+Some collectables to be found...
Cons:
-...but they don't add or unlock anything
-No real lasting value
8.5 Graphics: The graphics are minimalistic yet still undeniably attractive
10 Sound: The narration is fantastic, it conveys lots of emotions that really make you care for these rectangles; the soundtrack is great as well
9.0 Gameplay: The gameplay is fun - it does make you think to complete some puzzles and reach certain objectives, and some platforming sequences do require very precise jumps and placements of rectangles, but its an overall very enjoyable experience
7.0 Lasting Appeal: The story is great, but there isn't really a reason to play through it again. You may want to go back to get the collectables if you care about trophies, but otherwise there isn't a very compelling reason to play through again
Overall: 8.4
Great