Where Is My Heart?

Don’t let the minis classification detract you from paying attention to this gem of a game. It could be the best PSN release of the year. You’ve likely never played anything like it. It challenges a part of your brain that other games rarely do.

The objective is to collect hearts throughout the level and then reach the exit. The entire level is visible on the screen. The unique and challenging part is that the level is chopped up and the various sections of the level are scattered like parts of an unsolved jigsaw puzzle. To make it slightly more confusing some sections might have different levels of zoom.

It is possible to figure out how the sections are connected by looking at the geometry of the level and ambient backgrounds. That requires a lot of thinking though and can be rather difficult. The easiest way to figure out how to piece the level together is to explore. Move one of the characters to the edge of a section and it’ll likely show up on another section (or many other sections just to disorient you more). Once you’ve pieced it all together you’ll need to figure out how to reach the hearts and then how to get everyone to the finish.

There are different abilities for each character. One of the characters has the ability to rotate the sections of the screen. He can either choose to move with the sections as they rotate or he can remain stationary and end up on another piece as it rotates into his location. Another character has the ability to see hidden platforms that the others cannot use. Yet another character can double jump and all five characters can be used as mobile platforms. These mechanics are introduced slowly but by the end they are combined to form the solution to large and complex puzzles.

The game isn’t very long but it is long enough that if you play it a second time you’ll have forgotten how the earlier levels were pieced together. The game also keeps track of how many hearts you’ve found and you lose points for dying. At the end you’ll receive a score out of 172. Since it’s not very long trying to go through it again for an improved or perfect score doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch. I’ve played through it three times spanning four play sessions and I’m nowhere near having figured out how to do some of the levels without dying.

From the cute woodland creatures to the classic audio effects and elegant user interface everything about this game's presentation is charming. The artwork is gorgeous and the game mechanics aren’t overused. If you get the chance to play this game don’t pass it up.