The Excellent Pencil instantly grabbed my consideration with its putting hand-drawn artwork fashion, however after spending a while with it, I spotted there’s far more beneath the floor. Like many video games on this style, it explores themes of self-reflection and internal demons. The darker material may not be for everybody, however for some gamers it could supply one thing surprisingly relatable. You play as John, who wakes up in a wierd world stuffed with unsettling creatures and surreal environments. The story leans closely on symbolism somewhat than an easy narrative, and together with his distinctive evaluation potential, 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 skills, and backtrack to uncover hidden paths. Fight is easy however satisfying; you utilize an enormous pencil to fend off enemies whereas navigating the panorama. Boss fights pop up often, usually representing fears or challenges tied to the story, and so they add some memorable selection with out feeling overwhelming. The designs for a few of them are downright gross, in a disturbing Silent Hill form of manner. Seeing all the totally different enemy designs was one in all my favourite components 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 wish to go see it.
The Excellent Pencil’s standout mechanics is John’s evaluation potential. 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 research the world as a substitute of speeding from one struggle to the subsequent. For those who pay shut consideration and truly scan every thing, you’ll be able to uncover rather a lot about ol’ John, his story and his psychological state. And let me let you know, issues will not be going properly.
Visually, the sport shines. The hand-drawn fashion provides every thing a cool, generally creepy attraction, 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 environment that’s each fascinating and unsettling. It’s an ideal match for the sport’s story and provides lots of character to the exploration. My predominant grievance with the gameplay is how far it’s important to journey earlier than you attain one other save level. I wished to surrender just a few occasions simply because I didn’t really feel like repeating an entire space or sequence once more. In any other case, The Excellent 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 enjoying. It received’t be a cheery journey, however it is going to be an attention-grabbing one, with lots of darkish themes and self exploration. For those who get pleasure from platformers with a surreal twist and don’t thoughts piecing the story collectively, The Excellent Pencil is unquestionably a recreation price testing.
