Journey towards the light
Life can be a struggle to navigate through. The great news is, if you have a light shaped like a dog to follow around, it can get easier. At least that’s what developer LTD wants players to think even they play Humanity, published by Enhance Games. The puzzle platformer invites players to control a Shiba Inu tasked to guide large groups of directionally challenged human crowds to the light through a variety of different 3D Blue Platform levels featuring water, wind, and other elements. If this sounds high concept, wait until you read through the metaphor filled narrative. Does the symbolism touch grass? Or like the humanoids in the game, vanish into thin air when they fall off of the levels? Let’s provide some directions.
Guiding them towards the light…
The open-ended narrative leaves a lot up to the imagination. While this isn’t a heavy part of the game, the loose and metaphor filled story keeps players invested during longer play sessions. While I never wondered exactly why my bright white light dog avatar was leading the masses to a square of light, I certainly appreciated the philosophical undertones the writing added to the overall experience. I actually started caring about the colorful walking population and the consequences of guiding them the wrong ways throughout the levels. The story encourages players to guide more than just the masses, though, it also asks players to guide gold giants by taking more scenic routes through the puzzles. This provides a comfortable challenge in the first run through, and also fosters replayability once players have completed the initial puzzle.
Replay the Gameplay
It should be noted, that while the storyline is enticing, it isn’t the primary reason to play Humanity. The creative blend of puzzle platforming is the bread and butter of LTD’s title. If you’ve played Ratchet and Clank, the puzzles here feel a lot like the Clank circuit mini-games. Players need to find a way to lead the lemming like avatars from one end of the level to the other. It’s a simple concept, but there’s so much more to the maze. The player controlled Shiba Inu can provide directions, float commands, jump commands, and more to help guide them. It then almost turns into a coding experience where you input the directions and navigate through the level.
One mistake in the circuit, though, and players will need to restart or find the break in the chain. Goldy characters, as previously mentioned, do not regenerate. Once they fall off the level, they are gone. If you’re a completionist, you will want to get all the Goldys. The accessible part of the gameplay is that players can simply focus on completing the puzzle level first, and come back to redo the circuit to get goldys and complete it again later. There is also the option to watch the puzzle be solved through in game videos if it gets too challenging. The solutions do not show players how to get the Goldy statues, though, still providing the challenging reward of obtaining that trophy or rare achievement.
The gameplay is fresh enough to keep players coming back, but I’d argue Humanity is best played in short bursts. It’s not boring by any means. Humanity seems to be structured in a way that allows players to play for a long time, or in between other games.
Presenting People
Humanity’s performance and presentation are solid. The graphics and quality of life controls and options are vast. The game unlocks abilities to make it even easier to operate often. From more viewpoint options, to shortcuts, saving Goldy is worth players’ time and effort. The music gets a bit repetitive at times, but I found myself occasionally playing to my own music when unwinding after a busy day. The game takes a smooth, calming approach, and in my time with the game I never encountered a frustrating moment. The game’s polish is probably also due to the fact that it is created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi (the mastermind behind TETRIS). It’s nice to see a fresh idea with some good ol’ retro inspired flare.
There’s also a level creator where players can make their own courses and post them online. While I truly didn’t spend much time with this, the options are practically limitless and when you finish the campaign, there’s so much to do from replaying the levels in the story, playing someone else’s design, or creating your own. The fact that this game is on Game Pass makes the value great enough already, but the retail price of $29.99CAD is also generous.
Ascending All Around
Look towards the light. The next great Game Pass game is here. From the intriguingly philosophic narrative, to the easy to pick up, tough to master gameplay, it’s really easy to recommend Humanity to nearly any player. If you’re a fan of puzzle based games, this is for you. Like platformers? Also for you. Would rather play big budget AAA games, souls like, or a golf game? Honestly, this is for you in between that major boss fight or when you’re tired of playing 18 Holes. With 90 levels and an endless variety on the horizon in the level creator, everyone should give Humanity a try… it’s only flaw? You can’t pet the dog!
Humanity
Summary
Humanity’s performance and presentation are solid. The gameplay is fresh enough to keep players coming back, and with a lemming load of replayability, it’s easy to recommend this puzzle action platformer to everyone.
