Recently, an opportunity arose to play an entertaining adventure puzzle game called TumbleSeed, developed by the Aeiowu team. And, let’s say at once, it left behind bright emotions. The role to take on is that of a seed (yes, a seed!), which goes on a dangerous journey to the top of a huge mountain. The goal is simple and heroic at the same time: to restore peace and tranquility in this fabulous place.
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So, is the climb about to begin?
There are three main modes available in the game: Adventure, Daily Challenge, and Tutorial. Rest assured, the Tutorial will not take long, but it will clarify how to control the little hero. However, for those who prefer jumping right into the thick of things, going straight to the Adventure is always an option.
What awaits in Adventure:
- Dodging monsters and dangerous pits
- Collecting crystals to use bonuses
- Exploring caves with new abilities
- Trading and improving towns
- Unexpected challenges and tasks
The controls in TumbleSeed are built around the two analog sticks of the PS4 controller. It would seem that nothing is too complicated. However, be prepared. In practice, these sticks will make nervous! It takes a lot of effort for precise control and quick maneuvering, and admittedly, in some situations, such control is frankly stressful. However, it adds some adrenaline to the game.
In Adventure mode, dodging pits, monsters, and other unfriendly creatures along the way becomes the primary challenge. And despite being just a little seed, fear is unnecessary—assistance comes in the form of various bonuses and abilities found within special caves. Interestingly, the mountains change their appearance with every run, making it impossible to know in advance what lies ahead. A fondness for unexpected twists and turns makes this the ideal place to be!
Along the way, small settlements (resembling tiny towns) appear, offering opportunities to swap abilities, secure unique bonuses, or purchase useful items at the local shop. Incidentally, crystals serve as the sole currency here, supplying the energy required to activate bonuses. Since crystals are never superfluous, gathering as many as possible is highly recommended!
The developers have not forgotten about variety: The game periodically offers different tasks and tests, such as getting to the first city or collecting five spikes on a seed in one attempt. This adds spice and makes repeated playthroughs much more interesting.
In Daily Challenge, all players have the same conditions: one mountain, one seed, and a lot of excitement! The most dexterous will win.
Small drawbacks
Now about a fly in the ointment. The main disadvantage of the game is the controversial control. The dual-stick control scheme looks fresh and unusual, but in situations requiring quick reactions and precise timing, it proves slightly frustrating. Also, the lack of checkpoints in the cities did not please me. Seriously, to go halfway and lose everything in one moment is a pleasure! It would not hurt to add the ability to save at least some progress.
There are moments when reaching the goal seems imminent, only for a spider or an unexpected pit to appear out of nowhere. This proves both infuriating and addicting, driving the desire to play again and again to master the challenge.
In the end, despite the small minuses, TumbleSeed deserves a solid score of 8 out of 10. The game is definitely worth a try on its own! Addictive gameplay and original idea!
