Bendy and the Ink Machine
A port of the initial five-part episodic Steam release, Bendy and the Ink Machine (Bendy) for the Nintendo Switch recounts the complete adventure of former cartoonist named Henry as he delves back into Joey Drew’s studio at the behest of an old friend. This title is an experience above all else with a thrilling suspense theme, zany story elements, simple yet effective gameplay structure to accentuate Bendy’s eerie tone, and Steamboat Willie-esque inspirations.
Here are just a few reasons to peruse the world of ink:
Story - In Bendy, you take the role of said former cartoonist Henry as you return to the barren gallery at the request of a long-time friend and colleague. The title begins with Henry stating the ambiguous demand with no further indication as to what he was to be shown, adding to the mystique of the reveal. I do not wish to recount too much about subsequent proceedings and set-pieces, however I will relay that Henry’s journey becomes more surreal and strenuous with each bizarre occurrence whilst an abundance of supernatural horror absorbs the player through the protagonist’s hesitant yet necessary actions. The structure of this title’s initial release does well to aide in Bendy’s spectacle as a five-part continuation. Each episode leaves the player longing for the next hurdle, the next reveal, the next twist to a tale that persists only as long as it needs to, enduring approximately four and a half hours from my personal experience with the rich narrative.
Gameplay - This title utilizes a simple yet effective control layout for the Switch involving the modern first-person camera configuration of the left stick allow maneuverability and the right stick to view the environment. For core mechanics, Bendy designates Use, Jump, and Attack commands to conquer various challenges within the facility. Bendy boasts its many features on the case, including, “first-person combat, puzzles, horror, stealth, and numerous hidden secrets,”and delivers these aspects with decent pacing; there is an adequate blend of established elements so as to not stagnate flow and immersion. I must admit that combat does appear to be lacking mechanically, nonetheless it is substantial enough to be viable for the presentation as a whole. There is also a section that appeared at first to merely be a succession of item gathering missions to prolong the journey, however-upon closer inspection-these tasks appeared to have further exemplified story elements and introduce minor mechanics to puzzle segments.
Presentation - The theme of this title is horror and suspense, and the 1930s cartoon focus with a sepia and black stylized three-dimensional world within the studio is sensationally ominous. This game retains an excellent utilization of a thrilling musical score, psychological misdirection, mystery, and masterfully-crafted jump-scares that do not feel overburdened and forced. Ink creature designs do not distract from the tone of the title, and combat lacking a degree of finesse aides in the ideal of helplessness the game is attempting to elicit. In regards to the length of this title, I must reiterate that I feel it is as long as it needs to be. When I completed Bendy and the Ink Machine I was not thirsting for more, rather I was satisfied with what occurred and how it concluded. Without spoiling, I can say that a specific device unlocked late in the story delivers very eerie messages, and is a strange yet intriguing unlockable feature after the initial playthrough.
TL:DR - Bendy and the Ink Machine delivers a ghostly episodic tale that relays its message in a multifaceted fashion by blending puzzles, stealth, combat, and horror elements into a constant disturbance within the player. I was personally engrossed by Henry’s trials, and felt inspired by the unique environments and set-pieces the title had to offer. I highly recommend Bendy and the Ink Machine to fanatics of story-driven and suspense genres. Though I had not played the title during its original inception, I must say it is an ideal Nintendo Switch game in its own right. Thanks for reading.
Do you feel this review helped in any way? Feel free to visit my Curator Page at Spearpoint Reviews.
Originially posted on December 12, 2018.
Here are just a few reasons to peruse the world of ink:
Story - In Bendy, you take the role of said former cartoonist Henry as you return to the barren gallery at the request of a long-time friend and colleague. The title begins with Henry stating the ambiguous demand with no further indication as to what he was to be shown, adding to the mystique of the reveal. I do not wish to recount too much about subsequent proceedings and set-pieces, however I will relay that Henry’s journey becomes more surreal and strenuous with each bizarre occurrence whilst an abundance of supernatural horror absorbs the player through the protagonist’s hesitant yet necessary actions. The structure of this title’s initial release does well to aide in Bendy’s spectacle as a five-part continuation. Each episode leaves the player longing for the next hurdle, the next reveal, the next twist to a tale that persists only as long as it needs to, enduring approximately four and a half hours from my personal experience with the rich narrative.
Gameplay - This title utilizes a simple yet effective control layout for the Switch involving the modern first-person camera configuration of the left stick allow maneuverability and the right stick to view the environment. For core mechanics, Bendy designates Use, Jump, and Attack commands to conquer various challenges within the facility. Bendy boasts its many features on the case, including, “first-person combat, puzzles, horror, stealth, and numerous hidden secrets,”and delivers these aspects with decent pacing; there is an adequate blend of established elements so as to not stagnate flow and immersion. I must admit that combat does appear to be lacking mechanically, nonetheless it is substantial enough to be viable for the presentation as a whole. There is also a section that appeared at first to merely be a succession of item gathering missions to prolong the journey, however-upon closer inspection-these tasks appeared to have further exemplified story elements and introduce minor mechanics to puzzle segments.
Presentation - The theme of this title is horror and suspense, and the 1930s cartoon focus with a sepia and black stylized three-dimensional world within the studio is sensationally ominous. This game retains an excellent utilization of a thrilling musical score, psychological misdirection, mystery, and masterfully-crafted jump-scares that do not feel overburdened and forced. Ink creature designs do not distract from the tone of the title, and combat lacking a degree of finesse aides in the ideal of helplessness the game is attempting to elicit. In regards to the length of this title, I must reiterate that I feel it is as long as it needs to be. When I completed Bendy and the Ink Machine I was not thirsting for more, rather I was satisfied with what occurred and how it concluded. Without spoiling, I can say that a specific device unlocked late in the story delivers very eerie messages, and is a strange yet intriguing unlockable feature after the initial playthrough.
TL:DR - Bendy and the Ink Machine delivers a ghostly episodic tale that relays its message in a multifaceted fashion by blending puzzles, stealth, combat, and horror elements into a constant disturbance within the player. I was personally engrossed by Henry’s trials, and felt inspired by the unique environments and set-pieces the title had to offer. I highly recommend Bendy and the Ink Machine to fanatics of story-driven and suspense genres. Though I had not played the title during its original inception, I must say it is an ideal Nintendo Switch game in its own right. Thanks for reading.
Do you feel this review helped in any way? Feel free to visit my Curator Page at Spearpoint Reviews.
Originially posted on December 12, 2018.
Comments
Post a Comment