In тАЬThe Escaping Robot,тАЭ youтАЩre placed in the shoes--or wheel--of a little robot trapped in the depths of a UFOтАЩs dungeon. ItтАЩs a solid platformer with great art, impressive level design, and clever puzzle mechanics.
The art is cohesive, detailed and well-crafted. The levels are atmospheric: the dark greys and metallic accents look like a place you wouldnтАЩt want to be trapped in. Little details, like the speakers and cameras found all over heighten that sense of being watched. And the titular Robot looks small and vulnerable next to the nefarious obstacles it encounters en route to escape.
Escaping RobotтАЩs level design is an exemplar of good pacing. The early levels teach you the controls and puzzles without on-rails tutorial screens, and later stages require both skill-based platforming and puzzle-solving. The final boss is challenging and makes use of all the mechanics youтАЩve learned throughout the game.
The controls and movement are tuned to perfection, with spot-on physics and movement. The way the Robot sways left and right on its single wheel is a nice little twist that makes platforming feel fresh.
The sound design is excellent as well--the disembodied UFO voice is both threatening and comedic, the music has hints of old-school science fiction, and the sound effects are satisfying even on repeated listens.
For all these reasons and more, weтАЩre not surprised Trevor R.тАЩs тАЬThe Escaping RobotтАЭ won our audience vote in the second Coolmath Game Jam.
Have you helped the Robot escape yet?