Relationships are tricky. If you and a potential partner are to stand the test of time, compromise is vital. You can’t only take your feelings and perspective into account in anything you do, not if you’re looking to build a life with someone else truly. 3D puzzle game, A Fold Apart tackles the trickiest of relationship pitfalls. The often ill-advised long-distance relationship. To traverse this problematic relationship, you need to fold some paper and push some blocks. A generic story is driven further by unique gameplay and vibrant art style.
A Fold Apart (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC [reviewed], iOS, tvOS, Mac)
Developer: Lightning Rod Games
Publisher: Lightning Rod Games
Released: April 16, 2020
MSRP: $19.99
A Fold Apart follows a couple forced into a long-distance relationship due to work. You select the gender of both partners so you’re not locked into a relationship that can’t resonate with you. One of these partners excepts a new job as an architect in a big city while the other stays behind keeping their teaching job.
The story is predictable, but it delivers information to the player via text messages and both the protagonists’ inner monologues. While there are no big shocks or twists, the story effectively makes you connect with both characters via the use of superb music, art, and flashy text crawls populating the screen to help convey the doubts and pain each of the characters is feeling.
The overall look here is reminiscent of a Pixar film in the best way possible. The character’s bright colors and expressive nature make each moment and reaction pop.
The gameplay loop sets in whenever either character experiences a strong emotional reaction. From simple misunderstandings to larger arguments, you find yourself navigating puzzles where you fold sheets of paper to connect platforms and reach a star-shaped goal to advance. All the while, these characters are tormented by their racing thoughts as they obsess over how best to respond to a text from their partner.
Verdict: A Fold Apart is far from the flashiest indie game on the market, but it’s a short and emotionally engaging experience, even if it is a bit predictable. The puzzle mechanics’ unique nature won’t leave you feeling incredibly challenged, but they’re smart and unique and with experiencing first hand.
Buy it
Author: Rich Meister
[This review is based on a retail build of the game purchased by the reviewer]