The Looker
a game by | Subcreation Studio |
Platform: | PC (2022) |
Editor Rating: | 9/10, based on 1 review |
User Rating: | 10.0/10 - 2 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Puzzle Games, Open World Games, Funny Games, Walking Simulator Games, Real-Time Puzzle Games |
Is the gaming world getting tired of minimalist indie puzzlers yet? The quantity released year after year would suggest no, but it's taking more effort to entice fans. The Looker arrives as yet another title that adopts a first-person perspective with no additional characters, forcing them to solve puzzles to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
But wait. There's an exciting feat about The Looker that refers to that statement. This is a puzzler that understands the vast number of releases and is now well-prepared to take the absolute mick out of them. So now there's no encouragement needed to pick the game from the endless trove of indie puzzle games. It's the comedy factor alone that may help The Looker stand up.
No Judgement
The game's taglines set up the player for what they're about to get into, a parody of another similar popular game. The title of The Looker does not indicate the narrative, theme, or another intriguing element. All you know is that you wake up by yourself on a 'strange yet familiar island.' Surprise, you'll have to solve puzzles to find the meaning behind everything.
The Looker doesn't gloss over the details when explaining itself. There are over 55 puzzles in a compact, two-hour playtime, getting the player to stretch their brains, but with the added twist of humor. There's some top banter, great jokes, and some obnoxiously familiar puzzles stemming from other titles. And for a game that's meant to be a parody, it's surprisingly well-designed.
There's always an ere of caution behind meme games as they can easily fall flat on their face as they can succeed. But it's safe to say The Looker accurately represents its serious counterpart, placing all the in-game jokes in the right places relevant to the puzzles you're solving. You won't feel that mechanics have failed for the sake of humor, nor vice versa; it's just a pleasantly humorous experience from start to finish.
Even with the seriousness extracted from the game's core, The Looker is more entertaining than most similar indie puzzlers. Sometimes we all need a lighter touch with our video games and don't always need to see tragedies unfold from solving puzzles in dark, mysterious mansions. The visuals, mechanics, and dialogue perfectly combine here for a refreshing take on the first-person puzzler.
She's Got the Look
You've probably gathered that The Looker is a parody of the smash-hit puzzler The Witness, which is similar in almost every angle. But damn, does it do an excellent job of making lighthearted fun out of a severely serious game at times. Even players who haven't indulged in the latter title can still find an aura of comedy about the game's design.
The Looker is a testament to the fact that if meme games are done right, they can be fabulous. More importantly, they are remembered and relevant past the two hours you'll play them. Whether you've played The Witness, it's worth giving this title a shot. Even more enticing, the game is entirely free to download!
Round-Up - Pros & Cons
Pros:
- A fantastic parody indie puzzler game
- The pleasant color palette adds to the game's mood
- Well-designed puzzles
Cons:
- Players are likely to enjoy more if they've played The Witness.
Download The Looker
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Snapshots and Media
PC Screenshots
See Also
- Apotheker
- Blake and Mortimer: The Curse of the Thirty Denarii
- Bridge to Another World: The Others Collector’s Edition
- Chronicles of Mystery: Secret of the Lost Kingdom
- Chronicles of Mystery: The Legend of the Sacred Treasure
- City Limits
- DeMagnete VR
- Dreadful Tales: The Space Between Collector’s Edition