Sometimes a game can just be one thing, and that’s perfectly okay. The industry has evolved to where games often blend multiple genres out of necessity. RPG elements have found their way into sports and racing games, just to name a couple examples. And trust me, I’m all for it. That said, this is me being the “old man yelling at the clouds,” nostalgic for when games were simpler. Experience-based progression is my jam. But there’s something truly comforting about a game that aims to be straightforward and fun, a return to form that feels just right.
That’s exactly what I discovered at the Games From Poland booth at PAX East this year. When I’m roaming the convention floor, I usually stick to my list of appointments. But my schedule isn’t so rigid that I can’t stop and chat about a game that catches my eye. And that’s how I found the puzzle game Strings Theory. Presenting was Mateusz Duber, head of studio and software engineer at BeautifulBee, along with his fiancée Natalia Bialas. Given the noisy convention floor, the visuals were what first drew me in. The backgrounds are fairly abstract, usually one solid color with shifting patterns that remind you this isn’t quite the world you know. The characters you control are squiggly lines, each taking a distinct shape outlined in solid color. Simplicity is key here, and Strings Theory uses it to its full advantage.
Strings Theory is a puzzle game you can play solo or with up to three players in co-op. The gameboard is presented from a top-down perspective, like a scientist watching events unfold under a microscope. Spread across each board are squiggly quarks. Your goal isn’t to collect them all, just a specific set number, and then guide your strings to the exit. Clearing every quark is reserved for the most brainy among us. You’ll control one of three strings: Telly, Isaac, and the Twins, Norm and Sal. Each has unique abilities that interact differently with the environment. Telly can push down walls to create bridges, Isaac phases through floors to access new areas, and the Twins can split apart to tackle puzzles together. You can switch between them on the fly, using their abilities as needed. Soon enough, the game will throw puzzles your way that you can easily mess up, forcing a restart. With 50+ levels promised in the final release, there’s plenty of challenge waiting.
If you’re looking for a cozy, simple puzzle game that still makes you think to reach the end of each level, Strings Theory is a perfect choice. And there’s no need to wishlist it or wait for the future, it launched on all major platforms on May 8th, the first day of PAX. A fun, full-length adventure that won’t break the bank is ready for you to dive into.
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1402030/Strings_Theory/
Nintendo: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/strings-theory-switch/
Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/strings-theory/9P0FWPNDD8X2
