We’re all agency beliefs

I spend numerous time wrapped up in my very own head, so I’m accustomed to the panorama. Nonetheless, I’m nonetheless studying the way to take care of all of the mess. Remedy helps, however typically taking a look at issues from one other perspective could make sense of issues. 2019’s Figment tried to do exactly that by casting you as Dusty, the thoughts’s braveness, and having him discover an addled mind.

Figment was not a strong click on for me. It had an easy-to-appreciate aesthetic, that includes great artwork and pleasant music. It additionally had an apparent ardour for pushing it ahead and upward. There was a noticeable cohesion to the entire challenge, making it really feel like every part it could possibly be. Nonetheless, it was missing one thing I’m having issue describing. Right here goes:

Figment doesn’t have sufficient chew.

That’s to not say it’s an insubstantial sport. It’s only one that doesn’t present sufficient stimulation to both the analytical or cognitive elements of my thoughts. I additionally don’t imply to suggest I didn’t prefer it. It simply left me hoping that Figment 2: Creed Valley does a greater job of giving me one thing to chew on.

Figment 2: Creed Valley (PC [Reviewed], Swap, PS4, Xbox One)
Developer: Bedtime Digital Video games
Writer: Bedtime Digital Video games
Launched: March 9, 2023
MSRP: $24.99

To reply what may be the query on the highest of your thoughts: No, you don’t have to play Figment to grasp what goes in in Figment 2. It doesn’t spend a lot time on introduction, however the characters and conditions are easy sufficient to grasp, and there isn’t a lot when it comes to context from the final sport that you simply want.

That mentioned, you would possibly as properly begin with Figment. Neither video games within the sequence are significantly lengthy, at about 5 hours a chunk, and the artwork and mechanics are so cohesive between the 2 video games that they circulation properly into one another.

In Figment 2: Creed Valley we rejoin Dusty, who’s the thoughts’s braveness, and Piper, Dusty’s disgustingly optimistic hen pal. They’re tasked with diving all the way down to the titular Creed Valley to take care of some psychological disarray. In the actual world, the dude whose head they dwell inside needs to purchase a home and is working time beyond regulation. That is disappointing his household, so hopefully by sorting by a few of his psychological baggage, he’ll cease losing away on the workplace.

Critique like an fool

I discussed earlier that Figment 2 is nearly a straight continuation of every part that’s Figment. That is radical since every part that made Figment value taking part in is carried over. Nonetheless, that is non-radical within the sense that every part I complained about within the introduction continues to be right here.

Figment 2 (and by extension, Figment) has numerous considerable strengths. It appears great, using a hand-drawn artwork model that mixes 2D and 3D in convincing and significant methods. It additionally has a kicking soundtrack, making refined hand gestures towards being a full musical. Bosses will sing at you, and typically these tunes are catchy.

It’s additionally a well-polished expertise. It hides its seams very properly to the purpose the place in an effort to work out what I don’t like about it, I’ve to do one thing I’m ill-prepared to do: use my mind. You might completely cease right here within the overview. In the event you just like the look of Figment 2: Creed Valley, it’s actually not a nasty expertise. It’s value a strive.

Nonetheless, its issues – or maybe simply the problems I’ve with it – are nuanced.

Youngsters can’t personal homes

The gameplay of Figment 2 is very simple. You smack issues together with your sword, and then you definitely additionally roll. In a means, it’s like numerous video games. For instance, it’s like The Legend of Zelda or Tunic. Nonetheless, whereas these video games begin rolling in additional mechanics, you principally cease at smacking and rolling with Figment 2.

I saved one questioning if Figment 2 is definitely a sport directed in direction of kids. Then I noticed that kids can’t personal homes and don’t have any hope of ever proudly owning homes, and I received actually confused. Then the dialogue saved making puns, and Piper’s sentimentality made my darkish, jaded coronary heart really feel nauseous. So, all I can say for certain is that my buff, meaty thumbs have been unimpressed by the dearth of depth within the gameplay.

Figment 2 can also be extraordinarily linear and predictable. That’s not essentially a nasty factor. I can take care of linearity, however I sort of really feel like the sport may simply play itself. It doesn’t actually provide you with a lot company, which makes me surprise why I’m even right here.

All work and no play makes Jack a boring boy

The story can also be not nice. It’s not dangerous, however I really feel like I’ve seen each single side of it earlier than. The entire “you’re working too onerous and letting life move you by” is such well-trodden territory. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen The Shining, however I’m fairly certain that’s what it’s about. It additionally doesn’t have a lot else to say about it apart from “don’t.” An ethical lesson that The Shining most likely did significantly better.

Taking a look at Figment 2 from any angle apart from a strictly aesthetic one makes it appear missing. However as a result of it executes its sights and sounds so expertly, it’s actually onerous to establish the place it’s missing. It’s so well-polished and tangible ardour has gone into crafting it that, as long as you’ve gotten a superb vector on what to anticipate, it’s nonetheless presumably a superb time. I believe I simply may be too cynical and jaded to attach with its kindness and optimism.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}