The Good Pencil instantly grabbed my consideration with its putting hand-drawn artwork type, however after spending a while with it, I noticed there’s rather more beneath the floor. Like many video games on this style, it explores themes of self-reflection and internal demons. The darker subject material may not be for everybody, however for some gamers it could provide one thing surprisingly relatable. You play as John, who wakes up in a wierd world full of unsettling creatures and surreal environments. The story leans closely on symbolism fairly than an easy narrative, and together with his distinctive evaluation capability, John should fairly actually use his head to uncover the secrets and techniques of the weird world he’s trapped in.
The gameplay is basic 2D Metroidvania. You’ll discover interconnected areas, unlock talents, and backtrack to uncover hidden paths. Fight is straightforward however satisfying; you utilize a large pencil to fend off enemies whereas navigating the panorama. Boss fights pop up often, typically representing fears or challenges tied to the story, they usually add some memorable selection with out feeling overwhelming. The designs for a few of them are downright gross, in a disturbing Silent Hill type of means. Seeing the entire totally different enemy designs was considered one of my favourite elements of the sport. This recreation jogs my memory of a Tim Burton movie, however the focus is psychological well being and your child doesn’t need to go see it.
The Good Pencil’s standout mechanics is John’s evaluation capability. Geared up with a projector-like head, he can scan objects, environments, and NPCs to disclose hidden lore and secrets and techniques. It’s a neat system that encourages curiosity and exploration, rewarding gamers who take their time to analyze the world as a substitute of speeding from one struggle to the subsequent. In the event you pay shut consideration and truly scan every little thing, you’ll be able to uncover so much about ol’ John, his story and his psychological state. And let me inform you, issues are usually not going nicely.
Visually, the sport shines. The hand-drawn type provides every little thing a cool, typically creepy allure, and every space feels distinctive. Alot of those monsters are how John really views himself. Coupled with the eerie sound results and music, it builds a surreal ambiance that’s each fascinating and unsettling. It’s an ideal match for the sport’s story and provides a whole lot of persona to the exploration. My important criticism with the gameplay is how far it’s a must to journey earlier than you attain one other save level. I needed to surrender just a few occasions simply because I didn’t really feel like repeating a complete space or sequence once more. In any other case, The Good Pencil runs easily in most conditions, and the controls really feel responsive for exact platforming.
Whereas the gameplay isn’t revolutionary, the mixture of exploration, unusual characters, and storytelling makes it a memorable expertise that’s price taking part in. It received’t be a cheery journey, however will probably be an fascinating one, with a whole lot of darkish themes and self exploration. In the event you take pleasure in platformers with a surreal twist and don’t thoughts piecing the story collectively, The Good Pencil is unquestionably a recreation price testing.
