REVIEW : Out of Line (PC)
Out of Line : A Simple Game with Stunning Art
Since Playdead’s Limbo popularised the 2D puzzle-platform genre in 2011, it has experienced quite an independent resurgence. Out of Line is a puzzle platformer developed by Nerd Monkeys in Portugal and published by Hatinh Interactive. The game’s unique environment and magnificent hand-painted graphics are evidence of a product that does a good job of distinguishing itself from its competition.
Out of Line tells the story of San, a little child who escapes the Factory’s actual grip. While on his path to freedom, he finds himself being pursued by the facility’s corrupted machinery while also assisting others in escaping the same threat. The whole story is presented vague & piecemeal to the player in the form of murals seen in the game’s richly detailed backgrounds but remains interesting.
Out of Line’s distinct aesthetic is unquestionably its most appealing feature. The fact that each frame is a painting makes the environment feel nearly strange, even when the setting’s fanciful components are ignored. Perhaps the game’s most astounding feat is how it blends these aesthetics with the gameplay in such a way that nothing is obscured from view. With a few exceptions, no matter how inventive the settings get, they always communicate with the player what things they can and should interact with.
The major gameplay loop available is the puzzle-solving related to these artefacts, as is the norm for most entries in the genre. The spearing mechanic is the key innovation that Out of Line has to offer on this front. San wields a spear that he may toss through the air to interact with the environment as well as create platforms on which he can jump. This ability is nicely incorporated into every area of the gameplay, allowing it to be expanded on throughout the experience.
Having said that, there were certain obvious ways that the mechanic could have been used to create more complicated puzzles that never came to fruition. For example, while the spear is a thrown weapon by definition, it is never used to fight foes or for sharpshooting. The most difficult throws in the experience are kept until late in the game and may just require one or two retries to obtain a spot on.
Out of Line’s biggest problem is its low level of difficulty. With a few exceptions, it is a puzzle game that most people would never need to think about, and they would still be able to complete it with every secret discovered. While this may be a selling factor for individuals who love to wallow in the raw imagination on exhibit, it may be a turnoff for those who prefer a challenge. This one fault may not appear to be important on its own, but it exacerbates the second major issue with Out of Line: its length. The game takes about 3.5 hours to complete with all collectables and achievements unlocked. This could be a problem for individuals who merely want to get their money’s worth out of their products.
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