The Turing Test

Puzzle games are one of the oldest video game genres. Since their inception, they have provided hours and hours of head-scratching fun that also functions as a sort of brain exercise. Once considered a niche genre, puzzle games have now become fairly mainstream through decades of improvement, streamlining, and evolution. Many modern puzzle games weave thought-provoking narratives into their mind-expanding gameplay, taking the opportunity to tell you an affecting story while also making those gears turn in your head. One such game that accomplishes both of these things is The Turing Test.

Developed by Bulkhead Interactive and published by Square Enix, The Turing Test pushes the boundaries of the genre through its immersive narrative and challenging, inventive gameplay. This epic sci-fi romp is set in an intimate location and deals with some truly interesting subject matter, and features a twist that players will never see coming. If you’re looking to experience the story and puzzling experiments of The Turing Test, here is everything you need to know.

A Gripping Sci-Fi Narrative

One of the main points of interest in The Turing Test is its excellently written, ponderous story. In a far-flung future timeline, players will step into the spacesuit of Ava Turing, an engineer who works for the International Space Agency. Along with the other members of her crew, Ava’s mission is to begin an excavation project on Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter.

Once their vessel arrives at Europa, each member of the crew except Ava is awoken to begin their work, while Ava is scheduled to be awoken once their base is fully set up. When Ava is brought out of her slumber by T.O.M. (Technical Operations Machine), she is told that the rest of the crew is unsafe and that she must help them. This sets the stage for an impactful story with twists and turns the player won’t see coming. Nothing is what it seems on this space station, and the journey you go on will cause you to question your own concept of morality.

Profound Gameplay Mechanics

The Turing Test uses several different forms of gameplay to keep players on their toes. One of the primary forms of gameplay is harnessing or transporting energy through the use of your Energy Manipulation Tool, a gun-like object that is able to absorb and expel packets of energy. You will transport energy throughout sterile test rooms that are similar visually and in feel to the many rooms of the Portal games.

Pros

• The sci-fi story being told remains interesting for the entire duration of the game
• The puzzle gameplay feels excellent and well-tuned
• Concepts and abilities are occasionally added, keeping interest up

Cons

• Puzzles don’t get very difficult
• Uses Portal’s aesthetic but doesn’t use any of its humor