Singular.
A lot of the outward presentation might be silly (hints, patch notes, name [love the name]), but within is a deep exploration into how far emergent puzzle-solving can take itself, an argument in favour of gameplay as it's own artform. When I say argument, it's in the academic sense. This is an academic work, doing to 'immersive sims' (video game genre terminology continues to confound and bemuse) what Godard did to his work in the 80s, turning inward, stripping back, and seeing if when only abstractions remain, it still works. It then makes total sense that this in no way resembles the immersive sims it comments on and critiques, much like Godard's King Lear has very little in common with filmed stage play adaptation as a genre, or indeed Lear itself. It's pretty up in the air if Godard was successful in his efforts, but with Mosa Lina, I feel it's a home run. A triumph in stripping away everything from the concept of an immersive sim until all that's left is emergent gameplay and perhaps even more successful in its showcase that this element is an art all its own.
Sorry for all the nerd talk, but I do believe it's important to recognise how successful the developer was in making the 'Hostile Interpretation of an Immersive Sim' (so well put) they were aiming for. I find it deeply interesting on this level. But I admit, if that was all there was to Mosa Lina it wouldn't be enough to get me THIS excited. The bonus is the sum of this investigation is an endless platforming roguelike I find to be the most delightful game I've played in years.
The presentation, all obscured ambient drones and gorgeously pastel sketches, is perfectly matched to the addictive puzzle-solving. The levels are uniformly sublime, the randomness keeps it endlessly fresh and this 'final boss of physics-based abilities' moveset has an infinite amount of fun utility and combinations to discover. If you somehow get bored of the base game (Raw Random is one of the most fun high-score modes I've played in any video game), custom levels are so accessible that there's already an endless swathe of fantastic ones to enjoy. I, nearly every level, found myself exclaiming in delight at a never-before-seen interaction or discovery or insane circumstance that led me to victory. Few games have frustrated and excited and made me feel this smart and this dumb all at once. It's glorious. Sorry to the 6 brothers (Armored Core and Street Fighter) who battled it out as the two wolves inside me for 2023 GOTY. This thing waltzed on up and handed everyone their respective ass.
A lot of the outward presentation might be silly (hints, patch notes, name [love the name]), but within is a deep exploration into how far emergent puzzle-solving can take itself, an argument in favour of gameplay as it's own artform. When I say argument, it's in the academic sense. This is an academic work, doing to 'immersive sims' (video game genre terminology continues to confound and bemuse) what Godard did to his work in the 80s, turning inward, stripping back, and seeing if when only abstractions remain, it still works. It then makes total sense that this in no way resembles the immersive sims it comments on and critiques, much like Godard's King Lear has very little in common with filmed stage play adaptation as a genre, or indeed Lear itself. It's pretty up in the air if Godard was successful in his efforts, but with Mosa Lina, I feel it's a home run. A triumph in stripping away everything from the concept of an immersive sim until all that's left is emergent gameplay and perhaps even more successful in its showcase that this element is an art all its own.
Sorry for all the nerd talk, but I do believe it's important to recognise how successful the developer was in making the 'Hostile Interpretation of an Immersive Sim' (so well put) they were aiming for. I find it deeply interesting on this level. But I admit, if that was all there was to Mosa Lina it wouldn't be enough to get me THIS excited. The bonus is the sum of this investigation is an endless platforming roguelike I find to be the most delightful game I've played in years.
The presentation, all obscured ambient drones and gorgeously pastel sketches, is perfectly matched to the addictive puzzle-solving. The levels are uniformly sublime, the randomness keeps it endlessly fresh and this 'final boss of physics-based abilities' moveset has an infinite amount of fun utility and combinations to discover. If you somehow get bored of the base game (Raw Random is one of the most fun high-score modes I've played in any video game), custom levels are so accessible that there's already an endless swathe of fantastic ones to enjoy. I, nearly every level, found myself exclaiming in delight at a never-before-seen interaction or discovery or insane circumstance that led me to victory. Few games have frustrated and excited and made me feel this smart and this dumb all at once. It's glorious. Sorry to the 6 brothers (Armored Core and Street Fighter) who battled it out as the two wolves inside me for 2023 GOTY. This thing waltzed on up and handed everyone their respective ass.