If someone now asked the question, what`s a video tape? I`d probably wouldn’t blame them for not knowing. Over the last 10-15 years, technology has advanced so much, that now videos and films have gone from video tape and the ideology of having a film roll/tape that would play through that you would have to wind back, to now streaming through the internet, with the power of programs and services such as Netflix. This year, Team Replay have taken their retro game, Replay: VHS is not dead to the Xbox One, after being released as a Steam indie title last year. Is the game one that`ll take you back through the years? Yes, it certainly will.
Replay: VHS is not dead is a ID title that was developed by Team Replay originally for the PC gamers mid-last year via Valve`s Steam service. Acclaiming to positive reviews, Team Replay expanded out to home consoles and the 8th generation, bringing Replay to both the Xbox One and PS4. Replay: VHS is not dead is a 16-bit title, that focuses and emphasises heavily on puzzle-solving and is a platformer, and puts you, Harvey Hachess in different scenarios based on different fictional movie-based universes. With the power of video, and rewinding, you must work out how to get yourself and your fellow character to the correct TVs, in a game that will puzzle with your mind, and make you really, really think about the way forward. Each level combines puzzle with skill and quick thinking, and Replay: VHS is not dead is certainly one that will get you thinking as a strategic gamer.
Let`s go back to the basics. Before we even get to puzzling. The story starts with you, on a Friday night, home alone, wondering what to do, so you decide to have a movie night. You pop along to your nearest video rental store (they don’t exist anymore) and decide you`re going to take a few films home with a bag of popcorn and watch films all night until you`re eyes decide no more. On the way home, you are struck by a bolt of lightning, and survive the journey home. You`re really excited to watch the film and relax. But alas, once you have entered the videos into your VCR player (They also don’t really exist anymore) you find that the tapes you have got are ruined. Alas into a fit rage (a bit like a Friday night on a FIFA game) you scream and shout until a flash appears on your screen, and you are teleported into the film you were just about to watch.
I must say, the game looks fantastic. I love the idea of it, and it will truly take you back an age to the days of 8 and 16-bit graphics in games, and accompanied by a Midi-styled soundtrack suited to each of the scenarios/movies you will take on. Not necessarily a long game by any means of the imagination (you have 5 tapes each of which have roughly 10-15 levels, some of which you will absolutely speed through), you`re tasked with getting through point A to B. But, this is where I like what happens, in a fun way of interaction. You will have to get 2 characters from point A to B (These points are different to each character) but you can only control one at one time. The other character will remember where you have told it to go and what movements to make by the controlment you just had over the character a short while ago. You will then rewind the footage and re-roll with the other character while the first character you have set and controlled the movements to will go and perform that. You are then tasked and will need to strategize in order to work out how you are going to use both characters effectively to get to that point to pass the level. A lot of time you will find yourself rewinding and restarting a level, but for me, I found it quite fun being able to work out where to go and how I was going to replicate the movements for the other character so they synced and go in time, to get to the point they need to be to. The further throughout the game and levels you go through, the more difficult and more complex the game gets. You are able to collect keys that are apparent in near every single level, and they will then unlock extra levels for you, that you need to collect a certain number of keys for. Every level is also broken down into medals, and you get a bronze, silver or Gold medal, based on how long it has taken you to complete the level. One thing I`d suggest is that restarting a level as soon as you know how you`re going to get the characters from point A to B, as then you`ll be going for the quickest time possible to get that gold medal.
One cool feature that is included in Replay: VHS is not dead is the ability to skip past a level, that you will be able to do once you have been rewarded with a token. If you come across a level that completely blows your mind (even for the mathematicians and Scientists who defy the laws of gravity) then you are able to skip that mission, and unlock the next one. I think it`s a pretty cool feature, as your mind will be tested, and I fear that some will lose interest in the game because they can’t pass a certain level, so it is nice to have that option. Every tape ends with a boss at the end, and you will need to use everything in your Arsenal to destroy and strategize your way to the end.
Replay: VHS is not dead is a fun, challenging ID game that will truly test your mind at times, and offers a great, fun one for the puzzle-solvers.
A huge thank you to XCN for supplying us with a Review copy.
