Standpoint. Standpoint is the newest ID@Xbox Game to the market, and is developed and published by Unruly Attractions. Standpoint is a first person puzzle game where the player will have to guide their way through a series of tunnel to overcome each stage, while collecting secrets and listening to the story of the narrator, who overlays the game throughout. While playing this, I pictured the mind of the narrator, and the inside of the mind, being trapped and having to guide your way out into the open.
Now, firstly, it can take some real getting use to and getting your head round. With any puzzle game, you have to think your way and strategically approach it if you are to have any chance of succeeding. First minute of playing the game, I knew I was going to be in for a real headache and getting my head round this labyrinthesque type game. Throughout the game, it requires you to make your way through a series of 3D tunnels, with a series of puzzles enclaved in each section. Of course, the further and further down the game you went, the more harder and difficult they became, and of course, with any puzzle game, it starts to become increasingly frustrating. But, with most ID games I have played and which finish very quickly, I was surprised at how long the campaign part of this actually goes on for. I must of found myself indulged for a good ¾ hours getting through the campaign, and that`s quite long for a ID game. Maybe it was because I`m terrible at these sort of games, but the longevity on this game is quite something. It`s easily a game that you`re able to throw a lot of time into and to pass the time.
Graphically, it`s what you expect from a ID game. A 3D based model, which is a little bit different from previous ID games I`ve played which have all gone down the route of basic 2D and original graphicallity.
Throughout the game, you have the chance to collect secrets, of which belong to the mind of the narrator who underlies the game as you play with a voiceover throughout. Collecting these secrets can you give you a bit of the backstory of the character, and what has caused her to have this grief/breakdown. That`s how I`d look at it. This character is having a breakdown, being caused by a lot of grief, and it`s down to you as the mind to escape and work it out. Of course, I`m sure there are many interpretations of the game that you could read about, but that`s a personal way that I looked at it.
Once playing around a little bit more, I came across a feature that looked like a Time trial. The aim? To get out of the maze in a record time. This time will then go onto the global leaderboard, but unfortunately Standpoint is a 1 player only game, so you are going to have to pass that controller around if you want to play with friends and see who can take the highest score in a record time.
Overall, a game that you can indulge into for ours, and if you are a fan of the puzzle games, then you`ll want to add this to your collection. A game that requires patience and a strategic approach, this is a game that will toy with your mind and really get you to think. If you`re after a game that you can just pick up and enjoy without any real thinking, then this isn’t the game for you. A game that won`t be for everyone, but those who like the puzzles, this will be one for you.
A huge thank you to XCN for supplying us with a Review copy of Standpoint.
