Causal Loop is a brand new first-person puzzler with a sci-fi setting from Mirebound, a staff of ex-Blizzard builders. Whereas there’s been one thing of a resurgence in puzzle video games as of late, Causal Loop seeks to set itself other than the herd by offering puzzles that do not simply work as obstacles to development however as a option to resolve how you’ll progress.
“Not like conventional branching narratives, Causal Loop embeds its choice-driven design straight into gameplay,” in line with the press launch. “The puzzles are expressions of decision-making as a substitute of simply obstacles. Each motion turns into a part of an evolving timeline, the place small miscalculations can cascade into full failure.”
It is a neat option to make puzzles matter a bit extra to the story development and never simply really feel like a throwaway hurdle that you need to leap over as soon as after which overlook about for the remainder of the sport.
One other seemingly cool characteristic is echoes. In a commentary video, the builders clarify what this truly means: “Gamers use their means to create as much as three echoes of their previous selves. This means permits gamers to document their actions within the sport and replay them in synchronised loops.”
So whereas there’s solely certainly one of you finishing the puzzles at occasions, you will should coordinate a number of actions.
However this energy will not simply assist gamers remedy puzzles—it could additionally mess issues up on your future self when you do not contemplate each chance and the way your actions can have an effect on the issues round you.
“It doesn’t simply affect the current, it sends ripples throughout all the sequence which may solely turn into clear later,” the press launch says. “The result’s a puzzle system the place the participant’s company is absolute, however so is their duty.”
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Puzzles apart, the story and placement additionally look fairly attention-grabbing. Set on an alien planet, you play as an exo-archeologist named Bale who spent the higher a part of his life unearthing misplaced civilisations and discovering the secrets and techniques they left behind. That is what brings you to Tor Ulsat, the planet filled with puzzles.
From what’s proven within the trailer, it appears to be like like your common alien planet, however the graphics are fairly.
“With the assistance of skilled trade artists and our first intern, we have elevated the audiovisual high quality to knowledgeable commonplace,” the devs say. Unreal Engine 5 was additionally used, together with Lumen’s superior lighting know-how.
All in all, it appears to be like like an thrilling enterprise and one which the devs have each confidence in.
“We imagine in Causal Loop’s success due to the excessive demand for first-person puzzle video games, which presently stay underrepresented,” stated inventive director Kai Moosmann.