Attractio Review–Thinking Outside the Box

Attractio Review by: Jesse Flores

Developed by: GameCoder Studios

Published by: Bandai-Namco

Release Date: January 19,2016

Available on: PC, Ps4

A REALITY SHOW?

Attractio takes place in a space station studio. Three contestants compete to solve deadly puzzles for various prizes while the competition is being broadcasted across the galaxy. That alone sounds pretty awesome, right? How about if I throw in a gravity gun? Yes, please. Oh, and did I mention bullet time and gravity boots? Are you in? I thought so. Puzzles have always been one of my favorite game genres, and Attractio offers 29 different puzzle rooms, all built around a unique, gravity mechanic.

POWER POINT STORY.

Attractio would have been an excellent puzzle game without the added storyline. The fact that these 29 rooms have been pieced together with a rather sad attempt at a narrative, however, forces me to critique it. The cut scenes come across like a rudimentary PowerPoint presentation with voice acting thrown in. I understand animation can be difficult, but if this is the best you can do, then perhaps it is better to keep it simple and stick strictly to the puzzles. The presentation kept me from ever taking it seriously, and honestly I just dismissed it altogether while I was playing. The voice acting was okay, but certainly forgettable. The music will have you thinking someone trapped you in a department store elevator. That is simply not appropriate for today’s games where a great soundtrack is expected.

With the advanced technology we see every day in video games and outside of the gaming world, what Attraction provides us is substandard. However, while this game is not graphically impressive, it doesn’t have to be as long as the gameplay is solid. In this case, it is.

A SOLID PUZZLER

At the heart of Attractio is an excellent game that mixes platforming with puzzle solving in a unique, gravtastic experience. The gravity boots reverse the polarity of the character wearing them. However, don’t get too brave using them, because fall distance absolutely plays a role in your success. Another exciting aspect is the gravity gun. This gun is used to change the polarity of the gravity boxes located in each room, which you will use in a variety of ways to solve each level. Attractio also has some moments of bullet time, though the mecahnic is underused, only appearing a handful of times. I wish it had appeared more often.

A room or set of rooms comprises each level, and they range in difficulty from “Was that it?” to “an expletive laced controller spiking tirade.” Fortunately for me, my controllers survived. The rooms will have you moving boxes by hand, shooting them into position, and even riding them to safety. Each level offers a different challenge, and while the goal is often in plain sight, the solution can be very difficult to discern and achieve. Levels mix platforming, timing, positioning, and even teamwork. A few of the levels are co-op, but not in the traditional sense. Single player co-op has you switching between characters in a single level to reach a common goal. Some rooms will have you thinking, “Wait…what in the world am I supposed to do?” Other rooms will have you staring directly at the solution without a clue of how to actually accomplish it. These puzzles will keep you on your toes; just when you think you have Attractio figured out, it will throw you through a loop.

The game keeps that coming until the very end, in the best possible way.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

The formula for a good game has always been the same: easy to learn and difficult to master. Attractio absolutely nails these game qualities. Some levels offer almost no challenge but teach you something, while other test your patience, break your will, and have you thinking that the solution is impossible to achieve. Most puzzle games make you wonder why you didn’t think of the solution sooner. Attractio however, has you cursing yourself for having to do it again when you die in the process. It is unique in this way, and even has checkpoints to help you along.

So what do you do if you get stuck? My advice is to think outside the box and take breaks. I found that a fresh perspective is the best recipe for solving the most difficult puzzles. In the 8 to 10 hours I spent with the game, it had me questioning my intelligence, thinking I was a genius, and then filling me with rage. All of which are the necessary ingredients for a great puzzle game.

Attractio is excellent (just ignore the narrative). I absolutely recommend this game to anyone looking for a good mind-bending, puzzle platformer!