Another World/Flashback-A-Like The Way Out Now
Lead The Way
The pitch of a "2D puzzle platformer game inspired by classic titles like Another World, Heart of Darkness and Flashback" got The Way [official site] successfully to its Kickstarter goal in 2014. Now it's out, released on Friday. At first glance, The Way's deference to those, especially Eric Chahi's 1991 sci-fi classic, is quite striking, however I also get Universe and Heart of Alien vibes from this trailer. Check it out:
Yup, very Another World-y, which, depending on your age, will undoubtedly govern your expectations here. Folks of a certain era will probably be all over this, however young 'uns or those who perhaps missed Chahi and Delphine's 20th century best the first time round might be left wondering what The Way offers in this modern age of pixel-boasting sidescroller inundation. The following, say publisher PlayWay:
"The Way tells the story about a member of space explorers team, who lost his beloved one and cannot accept her death. Discovering ancient writings on eternal existence during one of his last expeditions, he is encouraged to return in search of the meaning of life itself...He will quickly realize that the planet has its own secrets and plenty of challenges to overcome in his pursuit for answers."
This pursuit will pit the protagonist against a host of "mind-bending puzzles" as it relays its "immersing sci-fi story" - the latter of which is said to last somewhere in the region of ten hours, which is impressive scope for a game of this nature.
Then again, I'm yet to test out The Way's teleportation, telekinesis and whichever other hi-tech abilities it might offers players, and I probably won't get to do so until next week as a result of boring family parties all weekend. Ho hum.
If you however fancy doing so before me, The Way is out now for Windows, Mac on Linux. Grab it via Steam, the Humble Store, and GOG for the reduced price of £9.34. Let me know how you get on.