Darwin's Paradox! Review: A Slick Octopus Platformer That Charms
Playing as an octopus in Darwin's Paradox! proves to be slicker and more satisfying than one might initially expect. ZDT Studio's stealth puzzle-platformer consistently demonstrates this through its inventive gameplay and smooth mechanics.
Unexpected Perks of Being an Octopus
Sorry, humanity! It turns out being an octopus has its distinct advantages, and Darwin's Paradox! is a 2.5D cinematic platformer that expertly leverages most of them. For example, an extremely high wall covered in rats would deter most humans, but for a clever cephalopod like Darwin, overcoming it is as simple as deploying suckers, clamping onto the surface, and sliding over in a traditionally slippery fashion. This scenario is just one of many where the game makes having eight appendages surprisingly creative, offering players a whole grab bag of unique abilities that transform Darwin's Paradox! into a different kind of puzzle-laden platforming adventure.
Charming Gameplay and Smart Mechanics
Prior to starting the game, expectations for Darwin's Paradox! were admittedly low. However, after skulking through its various chapters with all the cunning and talents my tentacles allowed, it ended up charming endlessly through its comedic yet wholesome sensibilities, smart traversal mechanics, and an acute emphasis on puzzle-platforming. This focus results in a less clunky experience compared to titles like Planet of Lana or Little Nightmares, thanks to the inherent slickness in Darwin's controls. In essence, this is a cinematic platformer where the platforming aspect does not suffer from being cinematic, delivering the best of both worlds in a grand adventure packed with heart.
Unique Movement and Puzzle Dynamics
Events in Darwin's Paradox! begin predictably, with the titular hero swimming in his oceanic home before being plucked from the sea and forced to slip, slide, and stealth through a food factory and its surroundings. While the setup is not groundbreaking, it effectively keeps players invested in Darwin's plight to return home, allowing for generous location and puzzle variety. Yes, you spend time skulking in sewers and underground settings, but there is an equal degree of surface-level antics to navigate.
One of the biggest ways Darwin's Paradox! distinguishes itself is through the unique movement style of its protagonist. Slipping up ceilings and walls introduces a new dynamic to spatial navigation, a challenge that developer ZDT Studio often rises to meet. An early gameplay gimmick involves an underground factory powered by gears, where moving from one side to another requires latching onto giant cogs and leaping at the right moments. While this could be frustrating for a four-limbed mortal, Darwin's innate slickness makes timing leaps satisfyingly snappy and never a chore.
Elaborate Puzzles and Stealth Elements
With this silky-smooth traversal style, puzzles grow more elaborate, introducing elements like stealth, advanced swimming techniques, camouflaging, ink squirting, and the need to push and pull objects in and out of water. A favourite sequence sees Darwin delving deeper into a sewage system, dodging security cameras by manoeuvring barrels that slowly rise to block lines of sight. Such puzzles force players to contend with timing and positioning, yet they are never annoying to execute due to how well Darwin handles.
Character and Trial-and-Error Gameplay
While story is not the main focus, Darwin himself exudes enough character and personality through his movements to make players root for his success. Unfortunately for him but enjoyable for us, like every puzzle-platformer, there is ample opportunity for trial-and-error. Failing to complete a puzzle in time or correctly results in Darwin getting squished with a cartoonish 'pop' noise. Thankfully, the checkpointing system is generous, rarely resetting players too far back, and a built-in hint system is available to aid strategic thinking.
Incentives and Cartoonish Charm
There is plenty of incentive to explore environments through newspaper scraps that reveal more about the world, which feels familiar yet intriguing. Combined with unlockable skins for Darwin, these elements encourage rubbing up against the edges of spaces in ways otherwise overlooked. Moments like these allow breaks from timing-based problem-solving to absorb the general cartoonishness of the game's odd predicaments.
Final Verdict
In the end, Darwin's Paradox! feels like a welcome and surprisingly distinct entry into the wider canon of cinematic 2.5D platformers. The star of the show is undoubtedly how responsive and slick Darwin moves, opening up fresh realms of puzzle and platforming opportunities impossible in games featuring human protagonists. I thought I had seen all that could be done in the octopus-starring indie game space, but Darwin arrives as a thoughtful adventure full of heart and charm, offering a suite of fun stealth and platforming abilities that suck players into its quirky world.
Rating: 4/5
Darwin's Paradox! is set to release on PS5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 on Thursday, April 2nd.
