Coffee Stain is a small studio originally from Sweden that develops video games. She became famous after the release of Goat Simulator: a game from which no one expected anything good, but which unexpectedly turned out to be a very funny project, filled to the brim with references to popular culture, fun with a hint of drug addiction and, of course, goat meat. And so, in 2014, the guys published another project: the first-person platformer A Story About My Uncle, developed by the same small studio Gone North Games. It turned out that people are more inclined to be goats than little boys, so the project never gained wide popularity. But it’s worth checking out the game, and now I’ll tell you why.
Bedtime Stories
From the very first frames, A Story About My Uncle makes it clear: the local script will not contain a heartbreaking drama or an intricate detective story. Instead – a childishly naive adventure in a beautiful, not always logical fairy-tale world. A story that a father tells his child before bed.
Brave New World. If you look closely you can see the hole through which we fell here.
According to the main character, it all started when his beloved Uncle Fred disappeared. Of course, if a seasoned traveler leaves somewhere, no one is surprised. But before, he always left a postcard for his nephew, where he wrote what country he was going to and to what address to send letters. This time Fred just disappeared. While exploring his uncle’s home in search of a clue, the main character finds an unusual costume, which he immediately puts on. On the floor above, in the observatory, he sees a strange lever, which immediately switches. This is how a boy whose stubble has not even begun to grow ends up in another world. Here he will find magical adventures, amazing landscapes, new friends (in fact, one friend, and that toad-shaped one), and the most free movement in space, provided by the capabilities of that very suit.
Flights in dreams and in reality
The whole gameplay is to jump from one platform to another and then repeat. At first it seems that everything is even too simple and rehearsal. But soon the basic mechanics become more complicated. Once the main character learns to jump high enough and far enough, he will be given a new tool to overcome large distances: a light beam that can be used to catch on to some object and be attracted to it. Almost like Spider-Man, only when used, the beam “discharges”, and you can shoot a second time only after landing on solid ground.
The suit improves during the journey; already in the last third of the game, in one jump you can use the tractor beam three times and accelerate once with the help of jet boots. Several times you will even have to recharge the beam right in flight. Thus, moving around locations gradually becomes more difficult and interesting. Moreover, simply clinging and flying is not enough. The gameplay is primarily aimed not at reaction, but at calculation (in principle, by reacting quickly you can correct a small mistake made during calculations; but only a small one). It is necessary to plan in advance how and where to jump, where to cling to the beam, and at what moment to “unhook” so that the inertia directs the main character’s body to the next safe platform, and does not hit the poor fellow on a cobblestone and throw him into the abyss.
What is this? Where is this? It’s like?
As additional complications, players can https://thescorebetcasino.co.uk/games/ expect a gradual increase in the distances between platforms (a couple of times I didn’t even believe in the feasibility of what was required of me), the movement of interactive objects, surfaces incompatible with the beam, and a couple of situational gizmos that not only complicate, but diversify the game. In principle, you shouldn’t be afraid of difficulties: checkpoints are scattered generously, so the gamepads, mice and keyboards of most players will remain intact.
Ugh. Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the views.
Those who want to quickly find their missing relative should be guided by the white symbols left by the tractor beam of their uncle’s suit (these symbols are larger and more noticeable than those left by the main character’s beam). Well, those who liked the game world can linger in it longer, trying to find all the typewriters. This is what local collectibles look like, for collecting which small rewards are given (for example, they will allow you to repaint the beam). Well, after finishing the game you can try to complete the levels against time and without falling. On Steam they give achievements for this, but in the GOG version the interest in the activity is purely sporting.
A true indie game
In a sense, A Story About My Uncle can be called a benchmark indie game. Yes, if you want there is something to complain about here. The entire gameplay is built on a single idea and has nothing to offer other than jumping. Locations periodically come across, if not identical, then very similar objects. The “logic” of the mechanisms makes you smile: if you look closely, the gears pull a bucket of crystals out of the abyss only to immediately lower it back. The local population does not react at all to the appearance of the main character. Those who like to delve into the “lore” will have to be content with skimpy, even superficial explanations. Natural bloodthirstiness cannot be quenched, because the game is completely devoid of violence. Even making fun of turtles by jumping on their heads won’t work.
I just want to sit on this bench and drink a glass of whiskey.
Even the monster is here… Peculiar.
If I were a pioneer, I would call this mountain “Crying Cobra Cliff”.
But at the same time the game gives extremely pleasant emotions. Convenient controls will allow you to fully enjoy the feeling of flight. Many objects look similar, but the road to the finale does not seem monotonous and repetitive. The fabulous atmosphere makes you feel a couple of years younger. And the graphics… Yes, somewhat outdated, but beautiful! And in the end, this is a game in which ice caves seem warm and cozy, the only monster encountered is seen as a smiling cutie, and when leaving the game you can hear: “It’s getting late, honey. “We’ll continue tomorrow”, which is especially cute if it’s really night already.
Yes, the game does not pretend to be complex and deep. Yeah, she’s not trying to be anything more than a couple’s evening of fun. But honestly, I recommend it.
Play it, it’s worth it!
Best comments
Circling above the ground, cherishing words,
Pif you don’t forget, TOlike burning in fire
Anyway, have a nice game)
It’s a pity the discount in Gog ended, at least there were no achievements, but it was cheaper)) Although, the difference is only thirty to forty cents, if I’m not mistaken)
I wouldn’t say that they weren’t known at all before the Goat Simulator. Even though Sanctum has not received such fame, it has quite taken its place among TD fans.
I completely disagree. The game has a pleasant and exciting gameplay. But I played with a keyboard. It’s probably not so convenient to move the sight around with a gamepad, yes.
Maybe I can’t argue. I just don’t know any TD fans, so I haven’t heard about this studio from anyone)) Although in general the reviews of the game are really good.
This is the most terrible and difficult game. When I passed, I knocked her out 30 times because she was crazy, I hit the gamepad on the floor. This stupid and awkward gameplay kills the whole mood of the story and setting.
play, but at your own risk..
Hmm… I absolutely don’t understand what we’re talking about. Maybe it’s just inconvenient to play with a gamepad, I don’t know… I played it with a keyboard mouse twice (at the time of release and now) and didn’t experience any problems. On the contrary, I was surprised that she never pissed me off)) I just don’t really like the first-person view, I constantly run into textures or fall somewhere. And here it is surprisingly pleasant to play, and it was very easy to master. Even this “challenge” from Maddie (where you need to jump some distance without ever using a grab) passed, although not on the first try))