Out of Line Nintendo Switch Review
Summary: A simple yet enjoyable puzzle adventure game that will win you over with its charm.
4.6
Unique!
Out of Line is a 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer that depicts the adventures of San, a young boy trapped in a factory controlled by an ominous and strange entity. Help San collect memories and solve puzzles to unearth fragments of his identity and discover the true meaning of freedom.
The game starts the moment San wakes up beneath a floating yellow cube. After following the cube to a beautiful tree, disaster strikes! A gnarly mechanical claw destroys the tree and transports you to a dark corner of a dreary factory. From there, with a newly acquired spear, you will figure out ways to guide San through each level, while outrunning the claw of death.
There is no background to the story. No introduction. No text. No dialogue. Yet, you will find yourself completely immersed in the game. Each chapter delivers a new character (more like a creature) who will cooperatively work with you to solve puzzles. Without any instructions it can take a minute to figure out the abilities of each character, but once you do, the rest of the puzzles become easier to solve.
Gameplay is pretty much straightforward and simple. In the beginning you are aided with little prompts on how to complete actions during the game and are given a spear as your main tool. This spear will help you to jump higher, complete puzzles, and defend yourself from the mechanical enemies. At first, I struggled to get used to the sensitivity level of aiming at objects (which cannot be configured in the settings), but after a while I got the hang of it. I also like how quickly the spear can be recalled in fast-paced situations no matter where you are. The quick loading scenes allows you to take your time when you mess up on a puzzle or fall off a cliff, like I did a lot. The puzzles are challenging but never complex. Once you get the overall feel on how to complete them, you will end up feeling rewarded with your accomplishments.
The soundtrack is very calming and doesn’t overpower the game. The graphics are hand drawn and are beautiful. All the characters are unique in their own way without any explanation as to who (or what) they are. But it works! Just like the color palettes used to evoke a sense of eeriness as San works his way through the evil depths of the factory.
Final Thoughts?
Out of Line is not a long game. It could be finished in around 3 hours, but it is still very enjoyable to play. The puzzles are not overly complicated but are challenging enough and the story that unfolds is unique and charming. Overall, I would say the value for money is great and I would definitely recommend it. It is a perfect game to pick up and casually play when you need a break from the real world.
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