It’s taken a long, long time, but remakes of two all-time classic puzzle adventure games are coming to PS5 and PS VR2 this week. Cyan Worlds released this version of Mystery on Meta Quest headsets in 2020; PC, Mac and Xbox in 2021; and iOS in 2022. PlayStation was an exception until now. It’s available for the Sony console and VR headset (usually $35, 20% for PlayStation Plus members until May 26).
The remake of the sequel, Torndebuted on PS5, PS VR2, Xbox Series X/S, and on the Microsoft Store on PC as well (also $35, but with a limited time discount). The PS5 Pro versions of both games offer “better view distance, foliage, textures, post-processing, and shading,” according to the PlayStation Blog.
I have never played Mysterybut Torn was one of the first games I got on PC as a kid. I remember it looking very pretty at the time, unlike any game I had seen before.
Sadly, I never made much progress. As I recall, I couldn’t figure out what some of the different handles and levers I found in the opening section actually did and quickly gave up. Maybe I would be more successful in Torn (And Mystery) now, even if puzzle games aren’t necessarily my strong point.
Speaking of being an idiot when I was a kid, I spent a lot of time playing Bubsy in: Claw Encounters of the Furry Kind when I was young. I really liked it at the time, but looking back, this game is not good. I mention this because Bubby 4D – the first Bubsy game since 2019 and the first in 3D in 30 years – was released this week.
The bobcat is back thanks to Fabraz (Demon Tides) and the publisher Atari. In this platform game, Bubsy embarks on a mission to recover a golden fleece from the technologically enhanced sheep who stole it. I’m not going to try to explain the story beyond that.
Bubsy has new tools, like being able to roll into a ball and move faster. This should help players who want to complete levels as quickly as possible to work their way up the online leaderboards.
There will be a nostalgia factor for a lot of players here. Honestly, it’s oddly comforting to me that Bubsy still seems so boring.
Bubby 4D is available now on PC (Steam, GOG and Epic Games Store), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Thick as thieves is a game we’ve had our eye on for a while, and it’s had an interesting journey to Steam this week ($5). It was originally a multiplayer heist game brought to you by a team that included two stalwarts of the immersive simulation and stealth genres in Thief and System Shock 2 veteran Paul Neurath and Deus Ex creator Warren Spector. The idea was that players would compete to steal valuable items in a 1910s setting featuring magic and emerging technology.
However, during development, OtherSide Entertainment pivoted after realizing that single-player and two-player co-op were more fun than the original vision of competitive heists. The developers have stated that they may add a PvPvE mode later.
To start, Thick as thieves includes two thieves, two maps (which can be changed by adjusting the difficulty settings), 16 contracts, and half a dozen pieces of equipment. Initially, the campaign would last about four hours.
The latest game from Amanita Design is Phonopolewhich looks absolutely stunning in this trailer. This is a puzzle adventure set in a 3D world made from hand-painted cardboard. The developers animated it at 12 frames per second to mimic the style of stop-motion films.
Here, the residents of the dystopian city of Phonopolis are led by a leader who issues orders through loudspeakers. But a young resident is immune to these orders and begins to fight against The Man. As Felix, you can rebel by manipulating the speakers to solve puzzles with the help of other characters. You will also modify the environment.
Phonopole hits all the right notes for me and I can’t wait to check it out. It is available on Steam, GOG and Epic Games Store. It will usually cost you $25, but there is a 10% discount until June 3.
