I like silly and short games. However, I appreciate that others will want more depth and may find the lack of seriousness a bit tedious. Sadly, I think Do You even Forklift? falls into the latter category. The puzzles are very easy, and the levels merge into one. Therefore, you must play it casually if you want to get the best out of it.
This isometric puzzle experience was developed and published by Take IT Studio! It is a single-player affair where your forklift and an array of cars are the centre of attention. At its core, you are asked to complete basic driving objectives. However, there are some additional layers of depth as you search for Raman bowls and tick boxes for an array of silly and mindless achievements.
No story, just driving in Do You even Forklift?
Do You even Forklift? delivers no plot. Instead, it focuses solely on puzzle solving, driving, and finding collectables. This was fine in short bursts, but I found my mind wandering very quickly. Even though there are some nice, drip-fed mechanics, and the gameplay is nicely balanced, it was missing some key ingredients.
I wanted a sense of danger and trepidation. Unfortunately, this never materialised as you spend much of your time moving one vehicle from one space to the next. Had the developer incorporated more multi-layered problems, this would have excelled. As it is, it is just the right balance of fun puzzles and difficulty for younger or casual gamers.
Simple mechanics.
Do You even Forklift? doesn’t overwhelm you with complex mechanics, instead it asks you to respray vehicles, clean them, or move one coloured car to a certain parking spot. Alternatively, you may need to relocate electric cars while they are plugged in or open a gate with a clean vehicle or one of a certain colour.
Each level has a minute level of cars or trucks, and this makes each puzzle exceptionally easy to complete. However, this excelled when the developer incorporated more obstacles and a greater level of difficulty. Multilayered gameplay made each puzzle much harder to contend with as you had to think one step ahead. Had the developer taken this approach more often, the game would have been more rounded and appealing to a larger audience.
Do You even Forklift? is colourful but dated.
I appreciated the vibrant aesthetic, the simple level design, and the easy-to-identify problems. Moreover, the animation is basic but effective. However, it lacks a modern edge as there is limited attention to detail. This wasn’t a problem, per se, but it has a distinct indie edge that lacks polish.
The audio is pleasant but almost instantly forgettable. There are no standout layers, and the overall presentation felt like a hotel lobby. The music is upbeat and pleasant without being memorable. Furthermore, the sound effects are serviceable and effective without blowing you away.
Simple controls.
Although Do You even Forklift? is easy to play, but it could have done with a tutorial. This could have been incorporated into gaining your driving licence, or a basic obstacle course. Even though it was lacking some guidance, younger players or inexperienced gamers will pick it up with ease.
Replay value and longevity revolve around the desire to complete every achievement. I found this to be a grind as it lacked challenge and was exceptionally repetitive. If you ignore the achievements, you’ll enjoy a few hours of forklift driving and basic puzzles. After that, there is no reason to return.
Do You even Forklift? is a fun but basic indie experience.
Do You even Forklift? could have been much better. It is shallow, and many of the levels are repetitive. This was unfortunate as there was plenty of potential. Had the developers added a timer or incorporated a difficulty curve, it would have been better. Despite my complaints, it is fun and basic, and ideal for a casual time. Accordingly, I recommend buying it here! Can you master your forklift? Grab each car, find the noodles, and complete every puzzle.
