Video games are primarily a medium for entertaining people. However, in the past decade, developers have shown the ability to push narratives that make people think and feel emotions other than joy. Closer the Distance, by Osmotic Studios, is one of those games. It’s an experience that examines grief and how different people go through it. It shows how people can be empathetic and kind to one another or see a relationship fall apart. It’s a challenging game to experience but an important one.

The Town of Yesterby

The game starts when the police show up at a family’s door to inform them that their daughter, Angela, is dead. From there, you experience the point of view of the rest of the family as they deal with this sudden realization. The mother, Pia, goes into denial, the father, Axel, is in shock, and the sister, Conny, retreats into her own world to guard the pain. Later that night, Angela’s spirit tells Conny that she needs to help hold the town of Yesterby together through this tragedy. The next day, the town is informed about Angela’s passing, which sends shockwaves through the different people of Yesterby. From there, you control various characters and help them deal with their grief and problems.

Closer The Distance plays as a Sims-like game. You have a top-down view of the town and can click on various characters and control them. Each character has different wishes and various stats to balance. You start off by controlling Conny, who wants to help the entire town through their grief. Along the way, you encounter Gayle, the doctor of the town. Zek, who was close with Conny’s sister. Soon, you start to see how different people interact with each other, and eventually, you gain control of more characters as the story gets deeper and deeper.

Close The Distance

Closer The Distance is a challenging game to play through. Living through all these different perspectives of grief is sometimes hard to stomach. I think that makes for a powerful game and story. Juggling each person’s relationships creates a balancing act where you try not to implode the town and its residents emotionally. It’s also about balancing people’s emotions. There was a task I was making one of the villagers do, but doing that task caused them to become more unstable. I had them take frequent breaks to prevent them from ruining their task. I failed to do so, which caused ripples in the character’s story arc.

While the game has a strong narrative, sometimes the gameplay will create long periods of downtime. While there is a fast-forward button to speed up the game, it doesn’t feel like it speeds up the time enough. It creates an uneven gameplay loop, which I found annoying, waiting for the characters I controlled to reach their next destination. I also noticed playing on PlayStation 5 that the controls don’t translate well from PC. So there were points where I was fumbling through, trying to get my characters to do something.

Grab A Tissue

Closer The Distance is a hard game to get through. Not because it is difficult but because of the emotional rollercoaster it took me on. Each character has their grief that the player has to help them through, and the interactions between the various characters in Yesterby are intricate and complicated. It’s a powerful narrative, held back by some clunky controls on the console and some lulls in the gameplay. The game is still vital in pushing game narratives in directions that I don’t see too often. This game is worth checking out if you can handle the emotional journey it takes you on.

In a sea of tower defense games, this particular title stands out by blending classic defense mechanics with rogue-lite elements and a charming pixelated city building aesthetic. At its core, this game is a love letter to both genres, offering a refreshing experience that keeps players engaged through its creative map design, strategic depth, and varied gameplay.

An Interesting mix of genres that works.

The first thing that grabs your attention is the game’s unique approach to maps. Unlike many tower defense games where different maps are merely reskins with a few new twists, this game offers a selection of maps that are more than just visual changes. Each map comes with its own mechanics and defenses, adding layers of complexity to your strategy. For instance, one map might provide a more damage and a fiery spin on your standard towers, while another might kill of trees after 10 waves which makes you more aware of your resources and how you use them. This variety keeps the game fresh and ensures that no two runs feel the same.

The game loop revolves around placing 3×3 tiles of different biomes, each serving a distinct purpose. Forests, for example, generate a higher number of trees, providing resources for your sawmills, while swamps can hide valuable gold deposits. These biome tiles are more than just cosmetic—they’re the heart of your strategy. Alongside these biomes, you can place utility tiles like sawmills and mana crystals, which are crucial for resource management. The real meat of the game, however, comes from the towers. From classic crossbows and ballista to mages and mortars, the game offers a diverse range of defensive structures. Each map might give you a different selection of these towers, or change how they work, adding another layer of strategy as you adapt to the tools at your disposal.

Simple yet addictive game loop.

When you start a run, you’re given a single 3×3 tile containing your castle. From here, the game immediately puts you in a tough spot—how do you spend your limited initial resources? Do you invest in resource generation early on, potentially leaving your castle vulnerable, or do you bolster your defenses to survive the early waves? As you fend off waves of enemies, you’ll earn knowledge, which in turn gives you the chance to choose new tiles to add to your growing arsenal. This card-based selection process adds an element of unpredictability to each run, as you never know which tiles will be offered next.

The game’s difficulty is well-balanced, with three levels to choose from per map. The medium difficulty, which lasts 50 waves, offers a satisfying challenge without feeling overwhelming. As you progress, the tension ramps up, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you scramble to optimize your defenses.

Fantastic second screen game.

I found the game to be an absolute blast. The variety of maps and the strategic depth of tile placement kept me hooked for multiple runs. However, while the game is enjoyable, it does leave you wanting more in terms of progression. After completing all 50 waves, I couldn’t help but wish for a reward system that unlocked new tiles or upgrades, giving me even more options in subsequent runs.

In conclusion, this tower defense game is a hidden gem that successfully marries pixelated charm with deep, strategic gameplay. It’s a game that I can see myself returning to, eager to try new strategies and conquer its challenging maps. However, a few additional features or upgrades could elevate it from great to truly exceptional.

Block Tower TD is available for all major platforms.

In an era where fast-paced shooters dominate the market, this retro sci-fi shooter brings a refreshing change of pace, blending methodical gameplay with a strong dose of Metroidvania-style exploration. From the moment you step into its pixelated world, ‘Exophobia’ makes it clear that it’s not here to hold your hand. Instead, it invites you to lose yourself in its atmospheric, maze-like environments and rewarding combat, but with a fair warning: only the patient and observant will thrive.

A first person metroidvania.

The game’s core is deeply rooted in the Metroidvania tradition, which means exploration is key. Unlike classic shooters like DOOM or Unreal Tournament, where speed and aggression are paramount, this game requires a more calculated approach. You’ll often find yourself backtracking through areas. Scouring every corner with newfound weapon upgrades in hand, searching for paths previously inaccessible. This design choice can occasionally be frustrating, especially for players who prefer more straightforward progression. BBut for those who relish the thrill of discovery, it’s incredibly satisfying.

Personally, I found this aspect of the game to be one of its strongest points. Every new weapon upgrade felt like a small victory, opening up previously blocked paths and revealing hidden secrets. The game doesn’t just reward exploration; it demands it. The sense of accomplishment that comes from finally piecing together the labyrinthine world is one of the game’s greatest pleasures, even if it means spending hours retracing your steps.

A challenging classic shooter.

Combat in this game, while initially straightforward, gradually evolves into a more nuanced challenge. Early on, it’s a simple matter of shooting and not getting shot. However, as the game progresses, the enemy variety increases significantly, forcing you to adapt your strategy. Each new enemy type presents a fresh challenge, keeping the gameplay engaging and ensuring that no two encounters feel exactly the same. That also goes for the bosses which are nice puzzles in themselves if maybe a little easy times.

One of the standout moments in the game comes when you manage to clear a difficult room without taking a single hit. There’s a genuine sense of achievement that comes from relying on quick reflexes and smart target prioritization. However, the game is quick to humble you; starting with only three hit points, a single misstep can leave you teetering on the brink of death. Environmental hazards, in particular, can quickly turn a successful run into a desperate struggle for survival. While health upgrades are scattered throughout the game, they are few and far between, ensuring that the game remains challenging right up to the end.

However, the lack of checkpoints or quick saves can be a source of frustration. The game only saves at specific save points, meaning that dying often results in significant lost progress. This design choice adds to the tension but can be unforgiving, especially during more difficult sections.

A tense sci-fi horror.

The atmosphere is another area where the ‘Exophobia’ truly shines. Despite its old-school, pixelated graphics, the game’s music and environmental design work together to create a palpable sense of isolation and tension. The setting—a crashed ship on a mysterious alien planet—comes to life through carefully crafted soundscapes and visual cues. The eerie, otherworldly vibe permeates every aspect of the game, drawing you deeper into its world.

Throughout the game, you’ll come across discs that can be collected and brought back to save terminals, where they unlock snippets of the story. This approach to storytelling is subtle, encouraging players to piece together the narrative themselves rather than presenting it all upfront. It’s a method that fits well with the game’s overall design philosophy—rewarding players who are willing to dig a little deeper.

In conclusion, ‘Exophobia’ is a retro sci-fi shooter that offers a unique blend of methodical gameplay, challenging combat, and atmospheric exploration. While its Metroidvania elements might leave some players feeling lost, those who appreciate a more deliberate and thoughtful challenge will find much to love here. If you’re looking for a game that rewards patience and perseverance, this one is well worth your time.

Exophobia is available on all major platforms from 23rd July 2024.