It`s not often that I get a chance to review a game quite like the one I`ve had the time to review. A game that is completely different to what is out on the market, and what is around in the ID community in terms of games. I am Bread. What an earth could that mean? What game could that be? It`s not a game that involves being a slice of bread is it? Yes. Yes, it is. I think we`ve peaked in the ID market, when we`re seeing games released about being a slice of bread. Do you want to be a slice of bread? Is it a game that`s going to make you want to be a slice of bread? No. But when you look at how ridiculous and bad it sounds, it makes for a grabbing game that people will at some point check out.
I Am Bread is developed and published by Bossa Studios (The same developers behind Surgeon Simulator) and although has been released on the PS for quite a while, was released on Xbox One at the end of January. I Am Bread is described as an action game, and you`re task is quite simple. You are a slice of bread, and you must turn yourself into a slice of toast, while keeping your edibility levels up high. The more you get dirty, the quicker and lower the edibility level decreases. A range of other game modes have been added though other than a story mode (yes, there is a story mode) that involves you being a baguette and smashing everything else in your path, a bagel where you must win a race by avoiding obstacles, hitting checkpoints and making sure you get to the end before the time is up and much more.
The game`s concept is quite frankly, ridiculous. It`s a game that I can`t quite understand what the purpose of it is. I mean, it certainly does fill a hole in the ID market where you can be a slice of bread or a baguette, or some form of bakery. But, as the game gets further and further on, the more you find that there` s a lot of frustration that`s going to come with playing the game.
If you`re wanting an easy pick up and play game, then I suggest you stop thinking of playing this straight away because, it`s certainly not that. If anything, it`s completely opposite, and mixed with poor camera angles and horrific control configurations, it`s going to take a lot of patience to understand and get to grips, and that`s just with the controls before you`ve touched anything else. The controls are awkward to use and are going to lead to frustration, and it`s going to be a big turn off straight away from the off. There is a tutorial, but that`s going to need attention a few times before you`re ready to go into the main story. Some of the other game modes do have easier control methods such as the Bagel race when you are literally using your left stick and occasionally the triggers, but overall, the controls really are something that you`re going to need to have the patience to understand and master. If you`re someone who gets frustrated quickly, you`re going to be switching this off very quickly.
I really don’t know how I can honestly describe I am Bread, and whether it`s a game that I`d recommend. The concept of the game is just so pure and ridiculous but it`s so different to anything out there on the market, that there is a part of me that finds it fun. Maybe that`s just because how absurd it sounds, but if you can look past the control configurations and if you have the patience to learn and understand them, then you may have fun with this. The concept is something else. I mean, I can’t say I`ve wanted to be a slice of bread. But, the big factor here will be whether you can keep this on for longer than 10 minutes without being frustrated by the camera angles or the controls. But if you can, then fair play to you, and I think you`ll find something a bit different and gather some enjoyment from it. But that`s going to be a big challenge.
A huge thank you to XCN for supplying us with a review copy of I Am Bread
Game: I Am Bread
Developer: Bossa Studios
Publishers: Bossa Studios
Genre: Action
Price: £10.39 (From Xbox Store)