Video Game Lab

The other day my partner Kunal and I played a few games together from the aspect of a designer. Here are a few of them:

This is the Only Level

This game, at a very basic level, is just a simple platformer that includes killer spikes, a locked door and a button to open the door. At least that is exactly what is is for the first level (or is it). In stage 2 an unsuspecting player would immediately run into the spikes at the start. They will soon figure out that the keys have been reversed and you have to adapt to that. It is at this point that the player will expect something different in the next level and that they have to figure out what to do or risk death.

This game is brilliant as far as game design goes. It creates variety through game different mechanics rather than level design. Most games will change up the levels and only leave you with your starting mechanics and possibly introduce a few more as you progress through the game. This was an incredibly entertaining game and a kept wanting to know what the next level would be like. It is only one level, but a well made one. Each of the mechanics plays well with design of the level and can punish you if you execute it incorrectly.

How to Be Happy

This is a wonderfully simple dating simulator. You play as a puzzle piece trying to find your second half. Through the use of abstraction it tells a story of most relationships and a persons journey to find true happiness. The game does not specifically tell the player this, they just know. In one stage, which I assume to be the "sex scene" you try to fit into one space together. This is followed by a quick "oops!" and another space appears. You fit into this space but the other piece you are connected to still has a space missing. She coughs, fills in the hole and changes color for the rest of the game. In the end, after button mashing like crazy to try and stay together, the game ends saying "We hope you won." 

It is a lot like real life in very subtle ways. If you fail your first relationship, it takes a long time to find the right partner again. You try and try to find another piece that fits with you until you get frustrated. you then finally find another piece that fits and you start all over again.

Wizard Wizard

The premise of this game is just like every other game we have ever seen. Jump the saws, grab the keys, save the girl. Throughout playing the game you find out that this feels very different. The game-play it self is fun and offers a great challenge to those looking for it. The first play through will result in many deaths along the way.

The random NPCs that say something different to you every time you pass by them is what keeps the game interesting. I found myself more interested in finding out what they would say next, rather than being able to finish the level.