In this acrobatic 3D adventure, parkour through an massive cave network. Face lush caverns, subterranean oceans, and surreal cityscapes as you guide three biologists through the shifting spiritual landscape of the island depths! From Anodyne 2's creators!
The game casts players as three scientists - Amy, Riyou, and Ing-wen - who explore the mysterious island of Sephonie using an acrobatic parkour-inspired moveset. This includes sprinting with a skateboard-like motion, wall-running across rocky outcroppings, vaulting over high ledges, and grappling with the help of long-tongued Ribbats. Reviewers liken the fluid, empowering movement to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and Jet Set Radio, praising how the controls reward mastery. While the camera and collision can occasionally frustrate, the generous checkpoints and focus on experimentation help mitigate these issues. The level design consistently encourages exploration, with many hidden paths and collectibles rewarding thoroughness.
Interspersed between platforming challenges are "Linking" puzzles that task players with strategically placing colored tiles to overcome creature-specific obstacles. These minigames provide a relaxing change of pace while still feeling cohesive, gradually increasing in complexity. Reviewers highlight the creativity of the creature designs, noting that the process of learning about each one through Linking is genuinely engaging. The puzzles' integration with the overall experience is well-received.
The game's surreal, dreamlike environments are described as both beautiful and disorienting, with the platforming challenges cleverly woven into the level design. As players unlock new movement abilities, such as wall-dashing and grappling hooks, they can revisit earlier areas and discover new paths. This sense of continuous growth and discovery is praised, with the alternation between platforming, puzzles, and story moments keeping the experience fresh. The overall progression and pacing of the gameplay loop is well-received by reviewers.