No matter if you are a man or beast, love will drive you to do some weird and wacky things. You will go to the ends of the Earth to protect your loved ones, and you will stop at nothing if they are taken away from you. Webbed tells this very story in a cute, albeit pixelated way. It utilises some wonderful puzzles and platforming mechanics as you go on a crazy adventure and meet some interesting creatures.
Developed and published by Sbug Games, this is a single-player puzzle adventure title. Set in a fantasy version of Queensland, you must control a spider who is hellbent on saving her boyfriend from a cruel Bowerbird. You are taken on an eye-opening journey through treetops, ant nests, and more. You must help the inhabitants of each area and, in turn, they will allow you to get one step closer to your boyfriend.
Webbed was a pleasant surprise.
Whenever I hear the phrase, physics-based mechanics, I shudder. Games like Humans Fall Flat, Just Die Already, or Goat Simulator are amusing but frustrating as hell. On the other hand, Webbed was a pleasant surprise as the physics-based elements are limited to the web-slinging moments. The rest of the gameplay blends puzzling elements with platforming shenanigans. Consequently, it was a joyful experience to swing from surface to surface while solving the many problems you faced.
The story is a little absurd, but it doesn’t dominate proceedings. Luckily, the majority of the action focuses on the many side quests that propel you to the end goal. I loved how the story evolved depending on which creature you had to help, and there was an array of interesting bugs and insects to assist. Moreover, their characterful ways influenced the tasks you had to undertake, and this means you have an eclectic blend of missions to complete.
Web-slinging and collectables to find.
The majority of the action demands that you traverse large gaps while avoiding lava, spikes, and holes in the floor. As a tiny spider, this should be a challenging task. However, your handy web-slinging ability makes it easy and fun. You can aimlessly swing from surface to surface or you can carefully construct a silky bridge.
Crawling above chasms while capturing fruit flies doesn’t sound enjoyable, but damn, I loved it! This was then enhanced as you start to rescue stricken creatures or move key objects from point A to B. In theory, the gameplay is extremely repetitive, and this should have become stale and boring. However, in reality, it never became tiresome! Whether you were weaving a gigantic and elaborate web, or simply soaring through the sky, it was enthralling. Furthermore, if you mix in the testing and interesting quests, you have a moreish and enjoyable title to tackle.
The world of Webbed is fascinating to explore.
As you are introduced to the pixelated characters and vivid world, you may think, here we go again! Many games are using a basic pixel style and each title can easily be forgotten. However, Webbed is different! Its character designs are fun and bright, but also familiar and safe. They won’t wow you, but they work well with the theme. Where this excels graphically is its brilliant blend of environments. The developers have captured Queensland’s diverse ecosystem and beauty, with their vast array of landscapes. As one area blends into another, you will experience each animal’s habitats and the dangers they face.
I loved many elements of Webbed, but the pièce de résistance has to be the audio. The hearty blend of upbeat songs and wonderful sound effects adds both energy and realism to this game. I adored the buzz of the flies, the squelch of bugs, and the twang of each web you cross. I never tired of the well-detailed sound effects, and the developers have created an authentic experience throughout.
Tricky to master.
Though an easy-to-understand tutorial has been implemented, I still struggled with the web making mechanics. With a considerable amount of trial and error, I discovered what was needed. This difficulty I faced made it particularly tricky to master, and this was frustrating. Fortunately, once I overcame this hurdle, the rest of the game was easy to play. However, the aforementioned realism was slightly tainted because of the ability to shoot laser beams. It was really strange but a necessary mechanic that supported much of the action. Maybe I’m missing something, but I’m sure spiders aren’t armed with lasers, are they?
In typical platforming fashion, Webbed has plenty of replay value. Hidden around the large world are collectables in the form of pollen, flies, bugs, and other creatures. If you wish to finish the game and become the hero you are destined to be, you must find them all. Furthermore, the gentle learning curve will get you hooked on the action.
Webbed is a gem.
I didn’t have high expectations at the start, but Webbed is a gem of a game. Thanks to its wonderful combination of physics-based mechanics and interesting characters, you’ll never get bored. Furthermore, the eclectic blend of environments will instantly capture your attention. I loved every moment and I recommend you to buy it here! Will you save your boyfriend from the Bowerbird, or is he destined to be eaten?
