Freeware Garden: Synclox
Aegean platformer.
It may have something to do with my upbringing, but blue and white always makes me think of the Aegean. It's such a profoundly blue and white place I can't help it, just as I can't help imagining Synclox taking place in a strange and pixelated version of this particular part of the Mediterranean.
You play through a version of said Sea complete with floating islands, appropriately Doric architecture and a lovely and rather unique type of pixel art, that lets you explore it in the idiosyncratic way that both Ugh! and Space Taxi favoured. Fly around in your pedal-powered helicopter, take in the sights and try to understand what you are supposed to be doing.
Figuring this out is half the fun, with the other half coming from leisurely flying around, exploring and platforming in order to accomplish it. Actually, come to think of it, there's a certain Fez-like quality to the proceedings, though Synclox is decidely shorter.
Actually, it's both very short and very lovely. Synclox never overstays its welcome and leaves itself open to interpretation; the ambient wind effects and subtle music do help with the thinking, mind you.
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