BoxLoop

BoxLoop is a strange little puzzle platformer that caught my attention because the entire game revolves around evil boxes, riddles and a time loop. I play as the hero who is trying to escape this strange situation, and the main objective is to figure out which coloured box is connected to the riddle I have been given. It is a very silly premise, but I think the game actually gets some charm out of how seriously it treats this bizarre little mystery. The riddles are easily the most important part of the gameplay. I have to pay close attention to the dialogue and work out what the clues are pointing towards before choosing the correct box. The game does not simply give me an obvious objective marker, so I actually have to think about what I am reading. I liked that because it makes the dialogue important rather than something I can completely ignore while running through the levels. The time loop mechanic adds some pressure to the puzzle solving. I cannot just stand around forever trying every possible answer because the evil box can trigger the loop if I take too long. That gives the riddles a nice sense of urgency. At the same time, I found the pressure can occasionally be a little frustrating when I understand the puzzle but need another moment to work out exactly what the game expects me to do. There is also some basic platforming mixed into the puzzle sections. I can move around the two dimensional environments while looking for clues and working out how the level connects to the riddle. I liked having this extra movement because otherwise the game could have easily ended up feeling like a collection of dialogue screens with colour choices. The small platforming sections give me something more active to do while I piece everything together. The biggest weakness for me is that the gameplay is quite limited. Once I understand the basic structure of finding the clue and choosing the correct coloured box, there are not many completely different mechanics underneath it. The game is also fairly short and its replay value mostly comes from revisiting the puzzles rather than having a large progression system. I think that is fine for a small indie adventure, but it does stop BoxLoop from becoming something I would spend a huge amount of time with. I do like the presentation, though. The pixel art and simple two dimensional style suit the strange comedy and fantasy elements, while the controller support makes it easy to play casually. The game is also available on both Windows and macOS, which is nice for such a small release. Most importantly, the presentation does not get in the way of the puzzles, and the focus stays on the dialogue and the mystery surrounding the boxes. Overall, I think BoxLoop is a fun little puzzle adventure with a ridiculous premise and a surprisingly decent central idea. The combination of riddles, coloured boxes, platforming and time pressure gives it enough personality to stand out from a completely ordinary puzzle game. It is not particularly deep and I did find the limited variety noticeable, but I still enjoyed figuring out what the clues were trying to tell me. For a small indie game, I think it is worth playing if I enjoy short puzzle adventures with a bit of comedy and something unusual at their core. Rating: 6.5/10