Developer: NeoBird
Publisher: Bumble3ee Interactive
Platform: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Tested on: Switch
World Splitter – Review
Being able to shift between dimensions isn’t exactly a new idea when it comes to video games, but we haven’t gotten to the point where it feels overdone just yet. There is still room to try out new ideas with dimension shifting, and that is exactly what the team at German Developer Neobird is doing with their latest title, World Splitter, a self-described 2D² puzzle platformer, challenging players with multidimensional puzzles. We took World Splitter’s dimension shifting mechanics for a spin -quite literally- to see if the puzzles were out of this world.
Story
World Splitter is focused on delivering gameplay first and foremost. As such, there is no story to be found here.
Graphics
From a visual standpoint, World Splitter might not be the most impressive title, but the cartoonish, heavily outlined characters and colorful backgrounds certainly are appealing. The cartoonish style employed here makes World Splitter seem a lot easier than the game actually is. The dimensions that make up each level feature contrasting colors to avoid confusion between them. As for the character designs, we’re not quite sure what the alien protagonist is actually supposed to be, although he clearly took some fashion tips from Guardians of the Galaxy’s Star-Lord.
Sound
While we enjoyed World Splitter’s low-key soundtrack at first, we have to admit that everything started to sound a little samey after a while. Perhaps it was because we spent way too much time in certain levels, but listening to the same music track for half an hour and then being confronted with it again when we started the next level got old really quickly. Some more variety would have been welcome here. There is no voice acting present and sound effects didn’t exactly scream originality either.
Gameplay
Based on the screenshots, you’d think that World Splitter is a platforming game first and foremost. The game is indeed billed as a 2D² puzzle platformer, but the emphasis is actually more on the puzzle aspects than on platforming gameplay. As you take control of the alien protagonist, your task is to collect smaller aliens that hide out in the levels. This is easier said than done as each level comprises multiple dimensions. Dimensions are layered on top of one another, and you are able to manipulate the screen in order to “shift” between them, by rotating and sliding lines that form the barriers between dimensions. The aim is to get to the end of the level as quickly as possible, while picking up the small aliens along the way. Upon level completion, you’ll be scored based not just on whether or not you picked up all the aliens and how fast you did so, but also on how much dimensional manipulation was needed to do so. Getting a gold score requires a great deal of memorization. You’ll need to figure out the most efficient way to make your way through the level that allows you to grab all the aliens with the least amount of dimension shifting.
This means that you’ll more than likely need to do multiple playthroughs if you’re aiming for a perfect score, as you will need to wrap your brain around the layouts of the various dimensions. The game starts out simple enough but as you tackle each level, new obstacles are introduced. Early stages might see you twist your dimensional shift to create makeshift slopes as you can’t jump. Later on in the game though, you’ll encounter enemies that require careful shifting in order to avoid them, as well as switches you’ll need to flip in order to create additional pathways. Additionally, gravity-shifting shenanigans and directional streams add another layer of challenge. The result is a game that is deceptively challenging.
World Splitter offers up sixty levels, equally divided over six worlds as well as a two-player mode that adds another dimensional layer. It’s a decent amount of content that should keep you occupied for a while, especially if you’re a completionist aiming for those gold scores. It’s a good thing then that the game is also quite addictive, even if there are a few design flaws. It’s possible to actually get stuck in such a way that makes the puzzle impossible to solve, for example. While this isn’t something that’s unseen in other puzzle titles, it can be frustrating when that happens, especially since in World Splitter, this can happen fairly easily by making a simple mistake. World Splitter is a game where the satisfying gameplay can be hampered by poorly thought-out level design, so keep that in mind before you take the plunge. Despite the design flaws, there is a lot to like about World Splitter’s gameplay. Puzzle aficionados especially will find plenty to love in the brain teasers that the title offers up. Controls are tight and satisfying, although anyone looking for an actual platformer might want to look elsewhere.
Conclusion
Beneath World Splitter’s cute and cartoonish exterior lies a surprisingly challenging puzzle game. The dimension-shifting mechanics put a fun and interesting twist on the “two worlds” trope that we occasionally see in video games, and the game is only really hampered by its lack of variety in music and occasionally flawed level design. All things considered, you could do far worse than World Splitter, and if you’re a fan of mind-boggling puzzle games, then this game deserves a place in your library.
World Splitter - Review,
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