Supraland

A superb first-person puzzle game that requires delightful thinking outside the box and seriously rewards careful exploration. If that sounds like stuff you'd enjoy, you'll love this game. The game world feels enormous and there's just so much to discover and re-discover. I'm amazed that a team of three people made a game that has more content, both in terms of quantity and quality, than some AAA games.

I'll admit I was put off from buying this game for a while due to the nonsensical name and goofy graphical design. My impression was that this was some kind of cutesy mobile port about collecting coins while going through mild puzzles.

I was so happily wrong! This is a very serious game for serious gamers. The puzzles start somewhat challenging but become very challenging indeed at around the mid-point of the game. They are (almost) always fair, and if you stubbornly keep looking around very carefully, keep listening to all the clues, you will have an "a ha!" moment where it all comes together. And then you'll feel like a genius. For completionists there are lots and lots of challenges to discover after the main game is done.

It is also a true "metroidvania", as more areas and options open up to you the more upgrades you find, and it's very non-linear in how these upgrades are presented. Often you can leave a puzzle until later and set your own pace. Every player will probably progress through the world in a different order. It feels quite emergent.

The graphics are fine. No high-res textures or lighting, but the view distance is outstanding, and it's simply breathtaking to climb up high and see so much of the world. The story is just a silly, humorous backdrop: no intense philosophy as in The Talos Principle, the game which this one most resembles in terms of puzzle concept. The silliness, though, does combine some sharp social satire, which some people may appreciate.

Some reviewers have criticized the combat. Personally, I found it perfectly fine and appropriate in the beginning of the game, but it did become very repetitive and annoying later on as enemies kept regenerating. They're easy enough to get rid of, especially as you get powerful upgrades, but it does get in the way of puzzle solving. For Supraland 2 the developers have promised to overhaul how combat is integrated. Sounds good to me.

I feel like this game was made for gamers like me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and strongly recommend it.