Review for Fig. Game for PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 22/09/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 28/06/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 14/05/2019
One of the best trends in the modern gaming landscape is that of a strong introspection dedicated to characters, and more and more developers are showing that they devote great care to psychology and personality. Then there are authors who go further and make introspection into the human mind the very core of a video game, enriching the play experience with a considerable added value.
We had already fallen in love with Fig when we tried it at EGX Rezzed 2017, so much so that we deepened its inspiration in an interview with the talented guys from Bedtime Digital Games. In our original review on the occasion of its release last September we were able to confirm the particular value of this indie range, which now finally arrives on Nintendo Switch ready to be truly appreciated by everyone.
The adventure takes place in the mind of a man who has fallen into a coma following a car accident. A simple man with a secure job and an ordinary life. Our alter-ego is Dusty, and man embodies the courage and spirit of adventure, and it is no coincidence that he is presented to us as a grouchy and indolent character, who now seems to want to spend the rest of his days idling, recalling his deeds of the past noted on his album. However, when the precious volume is stolen by a frightening nightmare, Dusty decides to pick up his sword and go after him accompanied by the little bird Piper.
The narrative value of the game is not found in a storyline full of particular events or twists; and not for a lack, but because it is not what it aims for. The virtue that we find there is more of a concept: starting from the state of mind in which we find ourselves, through the confrontation with its nightmares that have dwelled there, up to the final redemption, Figment's metaphorical journey tells a lesson for anyone who is entangled in the tentacles of the modern world, capable of exaggerating personal problems such as apathy, a sense of inadequacy and depression.
Generally games that aim to delve into the depths of the unconscious are presented in dark tones, and for horror titles this approach lends itself perfectly. Figment, however, demonstrates that it is possible to look inside without being afraid, offering us an exceptional show. The game environments are colorful and picturesque, and that's not so much to say as they really seem to have come out of the brushes of Salvador Dalí and Maurits Escher.
The different areas that we will cross in the adventure reflect the various areas of the mind; therefore we see how the creative part is scattered with musical instruments, pencils, plants and houses built in teapots, while in the logical part we find wheels, clocks and other peculiar machinery. Figment is exceptional in taking us into a real animated painting with a unique style of its kind.
To restore normalcy to the unconscious, Dusty will have to fight his way with his wooden sword through various unwanted presences. The combat system is extremely simple and certainly not very precise (sometimes bringing a bit of frustration), but it barely serves to face the sporadic opponents who will put a spoke in the wheel, and which will constitute diversions among the many puzzles that we will have to to solve.
Indeed they are the puzzles to represent the real substance of the game; intelligent, diversified and with a good difficulty curve, they are not too complicated, but especially in the final stages of the game they will require your attention as much as possible. As with many similarly paced titles, the Nintendo Switch version of Figment fits particularly well to the convenient possibility of carrying the game with you and dedicating sessions of even a few minutes.
It must be said that some puzzles in the game require more patience than real acumen, sometimes making us walk back and forth in the right order and directions to be solved. Also, while the setting would allow you not to have to follow the normal laws of physics, the puzzles are not exactly revolutionary for the genre.
Even the boss battles are a mixture of combat and puzzle, and involve environmental dynamics to be exploited thanks to our timing and observation skills. The boss fights are truly among the high points of the title also thanks to the fantastic songs that (a bit like Disney villains) they will sing themselves in the middle of the fight.
The whole sound design by Niels Højgaard Sørensen is exceptional. Not because it includes epic pieces of orchestral majesty, but because they succeed in the not simple task of perfectly accompanying a surrealistic adventure such as that of Figment, and it does so with a use of instruments that is as unusual as it is masterful. Even some puzzles will have to be solved through musical instruments to interact with. Also on the dubbing side (English only, subtitled in Spanish) we record some truly inspired performances, in which each character stands out brilliantly for their way of speaking and emotional characterization.
The folks at Bedtime Digital Games have done a truly admirable job, especially considering the indie production budget. Figment manages to be both lighthearted and profound, and hides a message capable of resonating on a personal level, especially to players hardened by everyday worries. By its nature, if you don't like games focused on puzzles that require patience and reasoning, it might not be for you, while if you are in the mood to test yourself with some good puzzles it will suit you. The artistic direction, both on the visual and sound side, gives the game a very special added value, which even alone would deserve your attention.
► Figment is an Arcade-Platform-Puzzle type game developed and published by Bedtime Digital Games for PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 22/09/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 28/06/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 14/05/2019
