Plot: What’s it about?
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a great game, one that encourages exploration and discovery at all turns. This is partly because players aren’t told much, other than the basics, we’re just thrown to the wolves as it were. While this might be a problem in some games, in ITSP the mechanics are rock solid, so it works well. You learn as you play, but the game doesn’t just crush you and hope you pick up on your mistakes. Instead, the game unfolds so that you know when you need a new tool, you need to look around to find one, then put it to good use. This makes the exploration feel much more crucial to the experience, as you have a genuine desire to hunt down new stuff. You’ll need to uncover and master several add-ons for your space ship, which allow you to battle enemies, get around obstacles, and clear out the terrain. If you reach an instance where you need a tool that you don’t have yet, the map marks the spot, which makes the return visit smooth and never a chore. And there’s a lot to explore in ITSP, so little touches that can really make the experience more fun and less punishing.
Since I haven’t told you what you actually do in the game, you pilot a small space craft. You need to venture through hostile terrain to various checkpoints, but as simple as that sounds, it isn’t. As I said, you have to find tools for your ship, such as a gun, a claw to grab stuff with, a shield to protect a portion of your ship, and several others. In addition to these tools, you can find upgrades to make your gun more powerful or your hull more resilient. In other words, you’ll want to scour every last corner of the maps, to make sure you nab all the goodies. You also find artifacts and concept artwork, so there’s quite a bit of loot waiting to be found. While exploration is a primary part of ITSP, you also have to use your tools to solve light puzzles and you do have a gun, so you’ll be in combat quite often. I found all aspects of the game to be fun and polished, but the visuals deserve a special mention. The visual design has an organic, dark texture that makes sure the game’s name is apt. From the enemies to plant life, it all looks eerie and cool, which enhances the experience. In short, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is for anyone who loves to explore, collect, and blow up aliens. This is an excellent game that is well worth the price asked.
Video: How does it look?
As I said above, the visuals here are stylish and beautiful. As you explore deeper into the game, you’ll find new environments to soak in and appreciate. I am pretty sure I had at least a few deaths just because I was looking at the details in the levels, instead of paying attention to the enemies. While the environments do change as you progress, there is a stylistic common thread that ties them all together. A gorgeous game that proves 2-D can still dazzle the eyes.
Audio: How does it sound?
The sound design doesn’t grab your attention, but it gets the job done. The basics are well covered and I couldn’t pick up on any kind of audio issues. I’m sure the audio is better than I was able to detect, as I was so lost in the game I didn’t notice it often. But that is a good sign, as the audio shouldn’t yank you out of the experience, but help keep you immersed within it.
Supplements: What are the extras?
N/A
