" It’s rare to see such fresh takes on a genre so old, but..BOXBOY! is among the best around, past, present, or future."
BOXBOY! REVIEW
Written By Tyler Pederson
Sometimes I really like picking up games on a whim. Often, I am so aware of what’s happening in the industry at all times that I’m not only aware of a games release, but made aware of it’s visuals, mechanics, and whatever else may come along with it long before I get to actually play the game. I don’t dislike the lifestyle, but it lends to one with far fewer surprises than the casual gamer likely experiences. After I’d seen the long list of games coming to the eShop in the coming months, I couldn’t help but check out the new releases. To my delight, I was greeted with the latest digital effort from HAL Laboritory, the company best known for Kirby, Mother/Earthbound, and work on the Smash Brothers series. “BOXBOY!” is his name, and adorable puzzles are his game.
The basic concept of BOXBOY! is quite simple, but as with any good puzzle game it takes that simple concept and stretches it well beyond what you believe is in store. You play as Qbby, a cute little box fellow who is on a mission to save not just one, but a small cast of box friends! Utilizing the shape of your body, you can not only fit in tight spaces, but basically duplicate yourself in any direction to overcome obstacles. These can range from simple ideas like extending your body three squares long to cross a gap, or extending your body upward and to the right to form a makeshift hook to reach high places. It’s an incredibly difficult concept to put into words, but it all clicks really well, and every time you think you get it, they throw a fair, but intriguing twist in to keep you on your toes. The only advice I would give is to think about all the shapes you find in Tetris before limiting your options.
The game isn’t all that challenging, but it’s not a total pushover. You’re limited to how many cubes you can produce at once, as well as a total count to get a “perfect” clear. The aim seems to be to have a good time with puzzles, rather than insisting on ramping up the difficulty at a consistent rate. The opening puzzles are decidedly easier than the rest, but each world, totalling 17 (as well as 5 unlocked after completion) has a slightly different take on the overall concept, and it comes together to create some puzzles that left me guessing for a while. Each world has 7 puzzles, and within each world there are collectables. Collecting them all unlocks challenge and time-attack variables, and all items in the game are purchased strictly using in game currency.
The visual style is about as simple as games get, but still manages a ton of charm. Qbby himself can be customized with costumes unlocked along the way, of which my personal favorite is just a cape. The line drawings on white may first feel like a budget dictated choice, but I think it’s stylistic and goes a long way to show how good something can look even without color. Levels tend to look pretty similar outside of obstacle variations, but manage to wrap up quickly enough they never overstay their welcome. The soundtrack, while simple as well, also lends to a relaxed, easy going feeling. It’s just a warm fuzzy kind of game.
BOXBOY! will run you five bucks on the eShop, and I feel it delivers on it’s value a few times over. It’s not a particularly long game, but it’s got a ton of heart and a fair bit of challenge for the average player that ought to keep you from finishing it too quickly. It’s rare to see such fresh takes on a genre so old, but I welcome them every time, and BOXBOY! is among the best around, past, present, or future.
BOXBOY! gets a 10/10