Here's an interesting puzzle-platformer that takes a heaping dose of retro gaming glory Lemmings. Developed by indie team tha LTD. in Tokyo, it's an abstract time of it.
As the player, you control a Shiba Inu dog and guide an endless stream of hapless humans towards a beam of light. Result? This one is clever, fun, and will make you want to own a Shiba Inu.
Humanity the Game Proves That Without Dogs Our Species is Done For
Yeah, so this one launched on PC in May 2023. At the end of May 2024 it made the leap to consoles, with Humanity now available on PS4/5 and Xbox.
There's a mini-story to kick the action off. A lone Shiba Inu is tasked with saving the human race by commanding crowds of them in various directions.
You get a set control system, including:
- Directions to the left, right, up, or down.
- Jump.
- And other shizzles.
Armed with these mechanics, you must strategically guide the humans around each arena you come across (which also has echoes of Nintendo's adorable Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker).
But tha LTD. must be commended on what it's done with Humanity.
It's a beautiful game, flowing in its structure. Although requiring abstract thought, once you send those silly humans flying it gets a little bit comical. Although it's also alarming seeing a mass body of people hurtling about the place like lemmings.
We must nod to those visuals. There's a grey, almost monochrome backdrop. Then you've got all those people in their multicoloured jumpers—it's striking stuff.
The game is split out into stages, so you have to complete each one before advancing. And every level gets increasingly difficult, whilst also offering new and varying challenges.
It does reach a point where some of the puzzles are very impressive indeed.
Watching all those people milling around is a curious thing. But the main element of the game is the puzzle solving, platforming, and real-time strategy.
If you love puzzle games, then is definitely for you.
Although not a bona fide original concept, what it's done to revitalise the Lemmings concept is brilliant. An absolutely about turn of taking the concept into a new era of gaming.
To go with the chillout, chaotic (in a weirdly graceful sense) gameplay, there's an interesting soundtrack by recording artist Jemapur. It has some excellent piano compositions across the score.
Overall, then, another reminder of how inventive the indie game scene is right now.
The fact we didn't even know this game had launched a year ago highlights the issue with white noise. So many games come out every day! But we're glad, one year on with its console launches, it's now got a new lease of life.
As this type of concept needs celebrating. Innit.
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