Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

When it comes to playing experimental video games, most stick to a rather simple theme and design. One game that tried to be both complex and accessible was 2015 release by Steel Crate Games, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. The games takes on the thrilling premise of disarming a bomb before it is able to go off.

Interestingly, the game is one that required you to play with others – they read you the instructions whilst you focus on trying to disarm the bomb. The game uses procedural generation to ensure the bombs always change to a certain extent, keeping replays fresh and intriguing. If you have ever played other co-op games like Rockets Are Super Hard, you’ll feel very much at home in this experience.

An explosive game built on a unique idea

Trying to diffuse a bomb is a stressful experience, but Keep Talking finds a good way to make it fun and engaging. Players are asked to work with at least one other person to try and defuse the bomb. One takes the role of actively combatting the bomb, while the other(s) will take the role of providing the instructions on what to do next. Co-operation is essential, forcing experts to try and diffuse a bomb they cannot see based on instruction alone. The diffuser has to take the instructions and try to translate them into the actual bomb in front of them.

The end result is a highly comical experience where expert and diffuser need to find consensus and work together without getting frustrated. Each bomb comes with numerous modules to diffuse, and each piece works apart from one another – they can be disarmed in any order, making it easier for both parties to work as one.

An interesting concept, though by no means perfect (7/10)

For most, Keep Talking offers an interesting party game that feels a bit more robust than other alternatives. It’s a big experience that forces you and friends to work together as one to try and find a solution to a very serious problem. However, the problem is that the game starts to become easy – despite procedural generation, you can end up with an almost rhythmic approach to diffusion. This leads to a minimally challenging experience that can become easy to understand once you get used to the same old bomb parts appearing.

Pros:

• Interesting concept and design can be good fun to play with
• Great co-op experience, ideal for a party game

Cons:

• Becomes easier to play after a few successful runs; similarities become too apparent