Entwined Review

Entwined:

Information:

Developers: PixelOpus

Publishers: Sony Entertainment

Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

Type: Stand Alone
Modes: Single-Player
Genres/Perspective/Flow: Rhythm
Rating: N/A
Release Dates:
PlayStation 4
NA: 9/06/14
PAL: 10/06/14
JP: 19/06/14
PlayStation 3 & PlayStation Vita:
NA: 22/07/14
PAL: 23/07/14
JP: 24/07/14
Series: None
Average Completion Time: 1 - 2 Hours
Trophies/Achievements: 14 in all.
Other Editions: None
Additional: Review based on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita versions.
Alternate Recommendations: "Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions".

(Source: Wikipedia)

Synopsis:

Entwined is a beautiful game about a bird and a fish that are in love but can’t be together. Learn to guide these two souls simultaneously then unite and transform them into a magnificent Dragon. Over the course of nine unique lifetimes can you become Entwined forever? (Source: howlongtobeat.com)

Short Review:

To start of my review of Entwined I will first give a quick run-down of the central plot; which follows the never ending inter species love between a fish and a bird that forever together but forever apart. And that's about it there's no real plot as they get together by the end of each of the nine levels representing various lifetimes and then are broken apart each time in time for the next level to start or next lifetime in which by the end of this journey nothing really happens by the end, but like I said there is no real plot and it shouldn't be taken seriously.

Next is the most crucial aspect of the game, which is the gameplay; which can be divided into two segments. The first one being the more gameplay focused area, where you control both the fish and bird using the left and right thumb stick which are used to move them through colour coordinated portals on an on-rails like tunnel environment; so you move the orange fish through orange portals, blue bird through blue portals and by moving the two close together they become green allowing access through green portals, in which in-between portals you have to collect small orbs in order to fill up each creatures respective bar, that when filled opens up a sequence where they combine allowing them onto the next part of gameplay.

Now let’s talk about this gameplay; starting with that while the game is both fun and challenging as you manoeuvre each respective animal through increasing more difficult and precise tunnels the case does fall victim to heavy repetition, as you feel that after about 20-30 mins worth of gameplay that they ran out of ideas with the only changes being the shapes of the portals and the orbs as well as the varying sequences they run in which can range from easy to challenging. However an aspect I would like to bring up is the after failing a 'portal sequences' you lose some of your progress on the bars above adding more difficulty and the need to use good precision.

After this comes the other segment of the game that acts as a relaxing area to play between area in which you play the combined form of the fish and bird which is sort of like a dragon ish like creature, in which you fly around an open area picking up more orbs so you can progress to the next level, and that's about it; gets a bit boring. All in all a good idea that wasted it's potential.

Now for the better part of this review in which I'll start by talking about the graphics which simply put look amazing, easily making this one of the best looking games I've seen for the PlayStation; using a wide arrange colours and effects to create some of the best looking environments in recent history, making each chapter feel different from each other creating various moods throughout the game.

In a similar fashion this is also helped by utilising the games soundtrack which helps create amazing moods during each chapter making each life time unique and different by using a mix of electronic and flute music that is true candy to the ear both in-game and on its own.

Final Scores:

Story & Characters: 5.5

Gameplay: 7.3

Visuals: 8.9

Soundtrack: 7.8

Final Verdict: 7.4/10 (Good)