The Invincible attempts to create a niche, retro sci-fi experience that is all wrapped up in a modern bow. This bizarre blend of ideas reflects the core influences. However, I’m not entirely convinced that everything fits. This mismatched design isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but there were plenty of loopholes that sadly never get filled. As such, you have to make a whole host of assumptions about what is happening and why.
This calm adventure title was developed by Starward Industries and published by 11 Bit Studios. Moreover, there isn’t an ounce of combat in sight. As such, the gameplay unfolds at a pleasant pace. Additionally, there is a glorious sense of hands-on action as bizarre objects and weird tools are free to be examined. The focus of The Invincible centres around the protagonist’s exploration and her discoveries.
Memory loss and The Invincible go hand-in-hand.
Amnesia and its convenient mysteries aren’t exactly fresh or revolutionary. Yet, it works perfectly as the sense of mystery and unknown complements the bizarre landscape. Alongside this, with no knowledge of her previous actions, the hero is forced to explore with no preconceived ideas. This blank page ensures that you genuinely feel that you are part of the experience. What’s more, every observation and discovery is eye-opening and interesting to see.
A space race has 2 rival factions at each other’s throats. Subsequently, there is a sense of urgency when it comes to completing every task. This undermining plot leads the crew of the Dragonfly to their untimely downfall. As the debris of your escape pod lays strewn on the desert floor, the protagonist wakes to a wonderful orange hue. Regis III is now Dr Yasna’s home. Accordingly, she must piece together the gaps and continue her research if she wishes to solve the mystery.
Is this just a walking simulator?
The Invincible has an awe-inspiring setting that is just beautiful to explore. However, the slow and arduous pace pushes us towards walking simulator territory. Now, this isn’t a bad thing per se, but it wasn’t what I expected. Thankfully, the gruelling nature of the task at hand is represented brilliantly. The hero is exhausted in seconds and climbing rocks or dropping off of ledges will make you wince.
This exploration ordeal may annoy you. After all, other adventure titles make light of minor inclines and stamina and athleticism are at superhuman levels. Yet, Dr Yasna isn’t a hero, nor is she spectacularly strong. This protagonist focuses on research, observation, and the power of words. This unusual and unique perspective adds drama to a strange sci-fi endeavour.
Puzzles and loneliness.
If walking across a desert landscape wasn’t enough, there are some wonderful puzzles to complete. The tactile nature of each unusual item begs to be touched. With dials to twist, levers to set, and other tasks to tackle, this was reminiscent of Call of the Sea. As you encounter each problem, more of the backstory and the protagonist’s plight become clearer. Accordingly, the slow unfolding revelations allow you to absorb and digest an otherwise alien world.
Though the sense of emptiness may be jarring, I loved the openness and the callous loneliness. The heroine fills the void with her intense scientific knowledge and her desire to learn. Consequently, though there are swathes of nothingness, it wasn’t uncomfortable or boring to experience.
The Invincible looks amazing.
Classic sci-fi is an awe-inspiring genre that is filled with wonderment and glorious imagery. Thankfully, The Invincible captures this essence in every aspect of its visuals. The glorious landscapes and rich colour palette are hard to ignore. Additionally, though you may struggle with some navigation elements, the world is fun to explore. The sense of openness and the varied backdrops are simply breathtaking.
The amazing landscapes are paired with an exceptional soundtrack. The dramatic music adds danger and energy to every low point. Alongside this, the acting is fantastic, and each character plays their part perfectly. Though the sci-fi sound effects were somewhat outlandish, I enjoyed the madness and the shrill noises.
Occasionally clumsy to play.
The navigation issues prevent The Invincible from truly excelling. Furthermore, a lack of defined paths only muddies the water further. Yet, once you overcome these problems, you experience a well-considered button layout that works well.
The developers have incorporated branching storylines and a variety of unique endings. However, I wasn’t convinced that this reflected the core influences. Additionally, the alternative finales were a little weak and this made me question the replay value and longevity.
The Invincible is a mixed bag.
I desperately wanted to enjoy The Invincible more than I did. Unfortunately, it never grabbed me the way I expected. Yes, it is beautiful, and the audio was fantastic. Furthermore, I adore the protagonist and her plight. However, its gameplay is distinctly mixed and this was unfortunate. Yet, despite my disappointment, it is unique and unusual, and I recommend giving it a chance by buying it here! Can you piece together the mystery? Explore your surroundings, solve the puzzles, and discover a strange alien world.
