Control:Override

Control:Override is a short but sweet puzzle platformer with a surprisingly solid story. Each level the square that you control starts without any ability to move. You need to reach out with the mouse cursor to 'grab' the arrows that unlock movement directions - left, right, up [jump] and down [drop through some platforms]. Some of the arrows aren't available from the start, so your movement options are often limited. You can also use the mouse to 'loan' a movement direction to other stage elements, like platforms and walls, letting them slide in one of the four directions. It's a simple premise but the game does a good job of ramping up and giving you more obstacles and hazards to deal with, though it never gets particularly confusing or complex. After each set of levels you get an intermission with some plot and some more lore files to optionally read - some of the cutscenes run a little long, since you have to manually click through each line of dialogue, but I found myself reading all the files too and enjoying the story. For three dollars, I strongly recommend Control:Override. It won't blow your mind or occupy dozens of hours of your time, but it's a nice, well-made indie offering.

Seems interesting, but the control scheme / gameplay is just insanely clunky and awkward. I made it to about the 15th level before calling it quits. If the game is that frustrating to control this early into the game, I can only imagine how annoying it gets later on.

Highly recommended! It's an amazing game with very good Soundtrack. The story is interesting and for the price, It's way more than worth it!

Control:Override is a puzzle platformer with a unique and mind twisting mechanics that tests your understanding and imagination at each corner, even in its story. As consumers, lets cut straight to the chase, do you get your money's worth with the release price of 3 dollars? Yes, and more -> now to the review. ________________________________________________________ Gameplay... ... Is where the game shines, it begins with single mechanics, then it hits the player with a combination of them where every level is memorable. On my second play of the puzzles, I tried going out of the ordinary and win with other solutions, because now I have the knowledge about all the mechanics that I can use. Most levels can be solved in different ways, aside of course from tutorial levels, which were crafted with care to focus on one goal usually. I would advise playing the Game/Puzzles a second time in order, and see yourself conquer the game, not with stats, but with knowledge and experience. So, GAMEPLAY = AWESOME. _________________________________________________________ Story... I have playtested a portion of the game before release, back then the story was just in its start of development, and as usual, the first impression was that the story is somewhat cliched, then comes the final release to surprise the heck out of me with a quality story. What completes a puzzle game really is a "puzzle" story, we play these games to tackle our minds, so why not making the story a part of that. the story is interesting, non-linear and have several points of views and opinions, and it doesn't morph into a nuance, its about 3 humans and an AI, and one cursed programming project, I am not gonna spoil more... BUT, if you don't like to be bothered, you can. Don't get involved and the cutscenes will be much shorter, so, you have a choice. how do I rate the story, STORY = VERY GOOD. _________________________________________________________ Game Presentation (Visuals and Sound)... The music is very good and sets the mode, moreover, it lets you concentrate and immerse into the puzzles and story (when presented). Sooooooooooo, about the visuals, because 3$ indies are maybe 95% asset flops..... NO asset flops here at all... The visuals are masterfully created, with visual effects and shaders that makes a nice cybespace style, and an attention to detail only devs with OCD can make. Finally, VISUALS and MUSIC = AWESOME (Where do they but that "must buy" header on steam !!?)

Puzzles are good, you've to think a bit, every few levels you get a few more elements to figure out, which keeps things interesting. Story is okay, but really don't play it for that I suppose. Controls are a bit odd and trip me up even after almost beating the game. Music is great, could use a few more tracks though. Graphics are pretty (well, neon, minimalistic, what's not to like)! I'd recommend it.

Good, unique little puzzle platformer. Controls were frustrating when I was trying to rush through things, but are manageable if you take your time. The rewind system works really well and lets you trial-and-error out solutions. Puzzles are a little on the easy side, but there are a few head-scratchers in there. Definitely worth a play-through!

This would make you think in the first couple of levels. IDK if it's just me but it became boring mid-way. Overall I think it's worth the price :)

[i]Originally posted on [url=https://www.dragon-quill.net/christmas-steam-games-2024-recs/]Dragon Quill.[/url] Comments are enabled there.[/i] A puzzle game about a hacker trying to terminate a dangerous AI. Puzzles are fittingly about manipulation of control: You can only move directionally after picking up powerups throughout the level, and you can move blocks by transferring this control to them. There is also a mechanic where you can clip into blocks by squishing them into yourself, which was very fitting. It was an enjoyable brain-teaser with lots of outside-the-box thinking. There is also a story that unfortunately is not as good as the gameplay. It’s not bad, but kind of trite and also extremely backloaded. Obviously the AI is actually good and the company is actually evil and this is obvious from the start as soon as the protagonist says “Could the AI actually have a point?” The bulk of the story is told entirely through walls of text at the very end of the game, which is extremely awkward pacing. That said, it does say some cogent things about the abuses of AI and neural networks.

The game was smooth and didn't face any bugs. The aesthetic and sounds of the game is really good. The puzzles were challenging at some points. One thing that was bothering was the control. It felt very mechanical and at some points it ruined the flow. But I guess this is what the game was about. Mid way through I lost interest in the puzzles but kept on moving for the story. The story was intriguing as there was a mystery and a small lore..also because I was familiar with the programming terms. Recommended for who likes to solve puzzles.

Evaluation: Fun original puzzle game with interesting story Experience: This is a puzzle game where many of the tactics that you use to complete levels may feel like bugs at first glance. So if you can't figure out a level at first, try breaking the game. The gameplay consists of acquiring the ability to move in the different directions, and linking certain directions to moveable platforms - both mechanics I have not seen anywhere else. There is also an interesting philosophical story about the possibilities - both good and bad - about a superintelligent AI. Suggestions: I'd recommend for anyone who likes puzzle games, or thinking about the philosophical implications of AI advancement (The story does a good job of not pushing any one position on the player, but providing them with the information to derive their own conclusions). The story contains some discussion of suicide and other sensitive topics, and as such may not be optimal for younger children, but I think the game is good for older kids especially those interested in learning programming. Though the game itself does not consist of programming in a typical sense, it consists of a similar loop of coming up with a solution and then finding ways around all the things that prevent that initial solution from working. Suggestions: