Developer: Psilocybe Games
Publisher: Psilocybe Games
Rrp: £10.99 (Steam)
Released: 30th May 2017
Available on: Steam
Played Using: A Xbox 360 Control Pad
Approximate game length: 5 Hours
For millennia the lives of humans and canines have been intertwined, there’s a reason the term ‘Man’s best friend’ exists. Dogs have shown immense loyalty, there are no shortage of stories about dogs saving peoples lives. But the question is how far does this bond extend?
In the interests of full disclosure this is a game I backed on Kickstarter and received code as a reward.
Balthazar’s Dream is a 2D platformer, for the most part (things get a bit strange in some of the later stages). Balthazar is the dog, just in case you weren’t aware, and the aim of the game is to try and find your human ‘Dustin’. Of course, in reality Dustin is in hospital after having been run over by a car (not a spoiler, its in the damned opening sequence), so what you’re really trying to find is his spirit.
When you start the game you get to pick from five different breeds of dog to play as, for the most part which one you choose makes no difference to the game with exception of the pug because of its smaller stature.
At the top of the screen is a bone shaped ‘smarts bar’ this is essentially a form of stamina and mental state meter. The smarts bar depletes when you climb or hang on to ropes etc, and drains faster when faced against certain enemies and bjects which is to demonstrate the draining of will. Once the smarts bar is empty Balthazar will drop from what he is holding or in the event of this occurring because of an enemy type (or object) Balthazar will run in the opposite direction extremely quickly. Interestingly the developers have incorporated this into some of the platforming puzzles, meaning that you have to purposely drain the smarts bar and time the jump.
Save points are scattered liberally and take a few forms each of which are thematically appropriate for the level… mostly. I mean the first level is mixed up dreamscape so fire hydrants in a house, kind of works.
The graphical style (as you may notice from the screenshots) is in the style of pixel art. Its certainly not the most detailed I’ve ever seen its definitely functional. Functional… actually that’s the perfect word for much of this game, the level design is functional, the platforming is functional (if a little flawed) and as was said at the start of this paragraph the art style is exactly that, functional.
Since I’ve just mentioned it I lets get on to the subject of the platforming. On the whole it works but sometimes the actions feel a little slow which can lead to some frustration, specifically the slight delay that occurs with the jumping.
Another thing that adds to the frustration factor is the enemies, or more specifically, how the enemies spawn. I can’t be entirely sure but it seems like the enemies spawn in different places each time you die.
The games a bit on the short side for the price tag, I completed the whole thing in around about five hours and the story… well, its definitely a feel good story or attempts to be anyway. For me the overall story was trite and predictable.
If this appeals to you perhaps try;
Owlboy
Stealth Bastard Deluxe
Fez
