As a huge lover of the puzzle genre, I’m always looking for something does offer something different for players to experience. All too often are there clones of mainstays, making the genre feel like there isn’t so much change as there really could be. But along came Maitan69 and Whitethorn Games’ own new puzzle title, Re:Call.
It’s a game that offered players a narrative to navigate and works as a mystery title where not only is there a story to solve, but multiple things in your way that have to be moved. But how are they moved? Well, through time manipulation of course! Having played Re:Call, I can honestly say that it’s the type of puzzle game that we can only hope to see more of in the future.
Re:Call Review Biggest Takeaways
- Re:Call offers players time-bending puzzles that are really fun to sort out.
- The art style that it uses makes the game feel colorful and attention-keeping.
- Its cast of characters is interesting and each brings their own personality.
- Though its colors are bright, Re:Call offers a dark tale throughout the journey.
- This is definitely a game worth checking out if you want a different kind of puzzle game.
Final Score: 8/10
Timey Whimey Kinds of Puzzles
When it comes to how Re:Call approaches its gameplay, it’s actually quite exciting. The main premise of it is that while the story is taking place in “the now”, you’ll often have to recall a story or moment in life which allows you to open up paths from the past for the future you to get through. It’s more akin to how Mart McFly alters his future by changing the past, only, future Marty and past Marty have a direct walkie-talkie line to each other.
It’s actually really great and out of the eight or so levels in the game, no two of them are really ever alike, as each falls on a niche that makes the gameplay feel wholly different. It’s not as if you’re doing the same thing over and over. And that’s a good thing, as each level is pretty lengthy, especially if you make mistakes.
You see, some levels will need you to completely replay them if mistakes are made, tossing in a bit of a Groundhog Day sort of element. This means that you’ll need to learn from your mistakes and remember the string of events in order to actually pass the level.
And though I consider this a puzzle game for all of these reasons, Re:Call does have you traversing some pretty large open locales that you’ll need to investigate for items that you’ll equip in order to assist you in puzzle-solving scenarios, as well as environmental objects that can influence the map altogether, whether in the past or present. It’s a puzzle game that has layers and makes the entire experience feel like a concise package.
Related: Re:Call Beginner Tips and Tricks – How to Find the Correct Story Beats and Complete Sequences
A Visual Aesthetic That Keeps You Engaged
Something I really wasn’t expecting to see from Re:Call is the beautiful visuals that it had to offer. Though it’s a pixel-art kind of experience, this really reminded me of the GameBoy Advance titles that companies like Disney used to put out. That’s especially true for the dialogue moments when we can really see each character’s illustrated avatar. And that’s not a knock, as I grew up with those GBA titles and yearn for things that remind me of them.
Adding on to the character’s illustrations themselves is just how much personality is baked into each and every one. Whether a past or present representation of them, it’s easy to be able to feel each person’s actual personality, allowing you to think of how this person may sound or relate them to someone else you know in life. The cast looked great!
Aside from them, the colors that were used pop and make each and every level not only have their own character for it but make them feel engaging to explore. It’s really easy to fail in creating environments, especially if they aren’t offering a color scheme that’s going to set the mood for what’s happening within the confines of your goal.
It’s A Cozy Puzzle Game With Dark Themes
Though Re:Call has a popping color scheme and zany characters, there’s a really dark tale on display here, one of murder and intrigue. I think that the dark murderous subject matter really does a great job of working in contrast to the colors that envelope it. It makes it all the more terrifying when bad things happen because you don’t expect it at all.
And while I liked most of the characters in the game, some of them really did seem like blatant caricatures of stereotypes that just don’t seem to land. I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more depth to some of these characters, and that’s honestly the only problem I have with the game overall.
One of the Most Unique Puzzle Games
After having a great deal of time with Re:Call, I’ve got to say, it’s one of the most fun puzzle experiences I’ve had in a while. Its gameplay is simple yet satisfying, as it deals a lot with mystery and environmental problem-solving. I also really enjoyed just being in its world, since Re:Call is such a looker.
Would I have liked more depth from the characters that I liked looking at? Yes, but they didn’t really hinder my experience. For its modest price, I’d definitely recommend that puzzle fans and mystery fans give this game a look, as it flows extremely well in both cases, yet offers some innovation in gameplay and storytelling.
Re:Call is available now on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One for $19.99
If you liked this review and are considering purchasing Re:Call for yourself, then feel free to check out some of our guides to help you play the game as well, such as “How to Beat the First Level in Re:Call”. And don’t forget to like Gamer Journalist on Facebook for even more content!
Published: Jan 21, 2023 11:58 am