Vandals, developed by Cosmografik, Novelab, and Ex Nihilo, and published by ARTE France, is a quietly inventive puzzle-stealth game that turns urban graffiti into the centerpiece of its design. Instead of treating vandalism as chaotic or destructive, the game reframes it as a calculated act of expression, blending careful planning with moments of creativity. The result is an experience that feels both methodical and artistic, offering something distinct from more traditional stealth or puzzle titles.
The gameplay revolves around navigating compact, grid-based environments while avoiding detection from patrolling guards. Each movement you make advances time, meaning enemies move in tandem with your actions. This creates a turn-based rhythm where success depends on anticipation and planning rather than reflex. You’re constantly reading patrol routes, identifying safe paths, and determining when to move or wait. The structure transforms what could have been a straightforward stealth game into something closer to a logic puzzle, where every mistake is the result of a miscalculation rather than a lack of speed.
To support this design, the game introduces a small but effective set of tools that allow players to manipulate their surroundings. Distractions like thrown objects or whistles can redirect guards, while environmental features provide temporary cover or escape routes. These mechanics are simple on their own, but they combine in ways that encourage experimentation. As the levels grow more complex, players are pushed to think several steps ahead, balancing risk and reward while searching for efficient solutions. The challenge lies not in executing actions quickly, but in choosing the right sequence of actions in the first place.
One of the most distinctive elements of Vandals is how it integrates creativity into its core loop. After successfully reaching the target area in each level, players are given the opportunity to create their own graffiti. This moment shifts the pace entirely, offering a quiet, pressure-free space to draw and experiment. While optional, it reinforces the game’s theme of expression and gives each completed level a personal touch. It’s a simple feature, but one that adds meaning to the objective beyond simply reaching an endpoint.
The game’s structure is organized around different cities, each inspired by real-world street art scenes. As players progress, they not only encounter new level layouts but also gain insight into the history and culture of graffiti. This educational aspect is subtle but effective, adding context without interrupting the flow of gameplay. It gives the experience a broader sense of purpose, connecting its mechanics to a real-world artistic movement and lending it a more thoughtful tone than most puzzle games.
Visually, Vandals adopts a clean, stylized aesthetic that prioritizes readability. Environments are presented with distinct color palettes and simple geometry, making it easy to track movement and understand spatial relationships. While the visuals are not highly detailed, they serve the gameplay well and create a cohesive atmosphere. The soundtrack complements this approach, using subdued and rhythmic compositions that enhance the sense of quiet movement through urban spaces without becoming distracting.
Despite its strengths, the game does have limitations. The core mechanics remain largely consistent throughout, and while new challenges are introduced, they don’t dramatically alter the way the game is played. Over extended sessions, this can lead to a sense of repetition, particularly for players seeking more mechanical variety. Additionally, the difficulty curve can feel uneven at times, with certain levels presenting sharper spikes in complexity that may disrupt the otherwise steady progression.
Even so, Vandals succeeds because of its clarity of vision. It doesn’t attempt to overwhelm the player with systems or scale; instead, it focuses on refining a small set of ideas and executing them well. The combination of turn-based stealth, puzzle-solving, and creative expression gives it a unique identity, one that stands out in a genre often dominated by more conventional approaches.
Ultimately, Vandals is a thoughtful and unconventional experience that rewards patience and creativity. It invites players to slow down, observe, and plan, while also giving them the freedom to leave their own mark on the world it presents. While it may not appeal to those looking for fast-paced action or constant novelty, it offers a satisfying and distinctive experience for players who appreciate deliberate design and artistic themes.
Rating: 7/10
