Unravel Trial

Human memory is pretty unreliable sometimes, especially over long periods of time. Granted, it can sometimes recall everything you need it to, but other times it can let you down even with the most simple things. Hence, people have devised a variety of ways to preserve their most fond memories, such as writing them down, painting them, or taking photos of important moments.

Unravel is a puzzle-platformer in which you play the role of a character named Yarny, who’s a doll made entirely out of a single thread of yarn. In essence, the game takes advantage of a great physics engine to present you with a variety of interesting puzzles, all of which can be solved using common sense and a bit of imagination. On the other hand, some experience with platformers is a good thing to have as well.

The story is pretty interesting, not to mention the fact that it is told without any words, which makes it easier to understand the message behind it. As such, Yarny is trying to keep the memories of a family together, as well as reconnect long-lost memories that brought people close. It must be mentioned that the cutscenes are downright incredible, especially when it comes to framing, animations and general atmosphere.

As mentioned before, the puzzles take advantage of the potent physics system, which means that they should be fairly intuitive, at least some of them. Yarny makes very creative use of the yarn that’s left behind him, since he can use it to grapple onto objects, climb down on it from high places, or even make bridges that allow him to pass over dangerous areas. It’s also possible to use the said bridges to catapult yourself on a higher platform.

The controls are very simple and precise as well, which is a must in every platformer. However, it’s recommended to use a dedicated controller, because a keyboard can be a tad too annoying in certain situations. The graphics are simply staggering, especially when it comes to textures and object detail. Granted, the level design is pretty constrained, but it still feels incredibly realistic and immersive.

Even if Unravel is a tad too simple sometimes, it still has the necessary ingredients to brighten your day and help you unwind. Everything about the game is polished to a shine, from the story, all the way to the graphics and the controls.