Teslagrad Review (Xbox One)
Out of all the genres in the world of gaming, independent developers seem to have something of a fascination with platformers. It is perhaps simply due to the changing landscape of video games that traditional 2D platform titles are no longer a priority of big publishers, leaving the door open for smaller developers to take advantage and release games for players looking for the challenge and distinctive gameplay that comes with them.
The problem that faces these indie developers though is how to make their products stand out in a genre that has largely remained unchanged in some 30 years. That is something that Rain Games decided to tackle with Teslagrad, a 2D side-scrolling puzzle-platformer, which released several years ago on PC but has just made its appearance on Xbox One. As you might have guessed from the name, it makes its mark with a rather unique use of electricity.
This use of electricity is the underlying mechanic that is central to the entire game. Whether you are punching platforms with powered gloves to turn them or using a gun-like gadget to zap blocks that are on the other side of the screen, the aim remains the same. You simply have to solve the puzzles using your rather unique ability of imparting electrical energy to an object and giving it a force.
The puzzles you encounter are rarely explained. In fact, most of the time it will be left entirely up to you to experiment with the various obstacles and see how they interact with each other. Occasionally, there will be a crude wall drawing that gives a basic outline of what you will be expected to do but the puzzles are never truly given away. This not only makes Teslagrad a challenging game, it also is very satisfying to beat because you feel as if you have beaten each part using your own initiative – something that gives a real sense of achievement.
As you might expect from an indie game, it doesn’t exactly stretch the performance of the Xbox One much, unlike some other AAA titles. This means that it runs with a constant framerate throughout without any noticeable dips and nothing ever feels like it is straining the hardware. This also allows for crisp and responsive control of the character, something that is essential in any platformer, but especially one that demands expert positioning at all times.
Near the end of the campaign, the multitude of different powers and abilities means that you will be using almost every button on your controller quite often and in quick succession. However, the control scheme and responsiveness of the game make this a painless experience that rarely threatens to frustrate.
One of the most impressive things about Teslagrad is that it manages to tell a cohesive and somewhat emotional story without using any real dialogue or cut scenes. Having grown up in a rather peaceful environment near the tower of Teslagad, guards of the tyrannical king have descended upon your home to find you. The rest of the tale is told through images left on the wall of the rooms you explore as well as theatre like performances in the background of certain locations. By the time you reach the game’s conclusion it is difficult not to feel invested in the journey you have gone on with the character or not want to overthrow the king who has done so much harm to his subjects.
While Teslagrad is far from a long title, it does still provide plenty of content. All told, it will likely take you around 6-8 hours to complete the main story if you go through as a normal pace. However, a series of collectible scrolls and a challenge mode certainly help to extend gameplay that bit more without the overall experience becoming tedious. Collecting these scrolls not only provides extra information about the world but will also affect the ending you receive, making them worth the effort in getting them all.
Although this is an indie platformer, it hasn’t got for a retro look or skimped on the graphics. The art style is a beautiful hand-drawn affair that really is impressive. The visuals fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the story, reflecting the mood in a way that few AAA games manage to accomplish. The soundtrack is also superb, whether it is the haunting musical themes or the subtle sound effects that lend an eerie quality to the different areas.
Teslagrad is probably not a game for the casual gamer. It offers an incredibly challenging experience that only big fans of platformers will enjoy, especially when it comes to the complex boss fights. However, it also has a rather tender and emotional story that will appeal to those who don’t want their plots spat out at them with no drama or feeling. Without a doubt, this is one of the best platformers on the Xbox One yet it is not likely to be everyone’s cup of tea.
This review is based on a copy of the game that was provided by Rain Games in the form of an Xbox One digital code.