Feist is a physics-based 2-D platform action game with puzzle elements.  You play as a little furry critter who has been captured by larger furry critters.  Now you must escape from your cage and survive a harsh forest wilderness where everything is out to get you.  The graphics look like everything is in shadows, similar to Limbo (though not near as scary).  Feist is available to download on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.

Controls are pretty simple.  Press X to jump, and press the square button to pick up objects.  Press the square button again to throw objects like pinecones and rocks, and if you are holding an item like a stick, you’ll swing it like a weapon.  Press the triangle button to drop objects if you don’t want to throw them.  You can even pick up items like flies and use their stinger quills as a long-distance attack!  And that’s pretty much it.

Along the way you’ll encounter enemies and if you get hit too many times, you’ll flop over and die and must restart at a previous checkpoint. Also watch out for traps that when triggered, can kill you instantly (sometimes you can use traps to your advantage, though).  You can grab little dragonfly things that supposedly refill your health, but since you don’t get to see a health bar, the only way to tell if you’re at full health is if you don’t eat any dragonflies you come across.  That’s really one of the main problems with this game is the lack of direction.  If you get stuck, it’s not because of a cleverly designed puzzle or challenge, but lack of direction instead.  Plus, enemies can see and attack you long before you can see them on screen, so it’s hardly fair.  And the game gets super tough about halfway through.  But if you like games such as Limbo, you may want to give this one a try anyway.

Kid Factor:

Feist is rated E-10 with an ESRB descriptor of Fantasy Violence.  Defeated enemies will usually just fall over or poof out of existence.  Reading skill is helpful for the small bit of controller instructions at the beginning, but not necessary just to play.  Younger gamers may get frustrated at the high difficulty level, too.

Tags: Game Reviews