Untangling Time
Time shifts and temporal anomalies are quite commonplace in video games, especially within the sci-fi genre. I am so proficient in them by now – and have experienced them so frequently – that I genuinely don’t think I would be surprised if one happened to me in real life.
A standard time shift in a game usually involves seeing yourself doing something from the future, or encountering a past path that either guides, or hinders, your progress through the adventure.
In Causal Loop, the developers use this concept as a way to solve a series of puzzles that, naturally, get harder and harder as you progress. Let’s play.
For those who don’t know (myself included, initially), a causal loop refers to a concept where a sequence of events or actions forms a closed, self-enforcing cycle. This is different, of course, from a straight, linear timeline. In Causal Loop, this perfectly describes the puzzle-solving you will be taking part in, but there is also a much more straightforward narrative at work here.
An Exo-Archaeological Nightmare
You play as Bale, an exo-archaeologist whom we find on the unexplored planet of Tor Ulsat at the start of the game. He has travelled there with Jen, an exo-linguist and old friend. There is also Walter, a floating robot AI whom Bale absolutely hates at first. As they explore the barren planet, they find ancient runes and strange mechanisms. Bale accidentally triggers a piece of this alien technology, and soon everything goes drastically wrong.
Time fractures, Jen disappears, and Bale is left wandering alone through a series of tests where a mysterious voice gives him instructions.
I really like this narrative and the way the story unfolds gradually without dumping loads of heavy exposition on you right from the start. The characters are well-written, and the mystery is well worth unravelling. There have been a lot of games released lately where you wander around lonely planets by yourself, but I can never get enough of them.
Echo Branching
The gameplay puts you in a first-person perspective. You start off doing simple things like running, a bit of jumping for some mild platforming, and, of course, interacting with objects and doorways. You can scan items for more information and to gain access to locked areas. However, the real core mechanic soon comes into play – the one you will be using for the vast majority of the game. Echo branching.
In essence, echo branching allows you to create another version of yourself for a limited amount of time. For example, there might be a trigger that needs pressing to open a door. If you press it and run towards the door, it closes before you can get there. With an echo branch, another ‘you’ will go and press the button, repeating the action again and again in a tiny loop. This allows the real you to simply stand by the door and wait for it to open.
Simple, right? Well, at first it is, and it’s a really interesting mechanic. But it does get more complex. Much more complex.
When Puzzles Meet NASA Science
The simple scenario I just explained is made far more complicated when you have to activate multiple versions of yourself, all performing a myriad of complex actions simultaneously. It requires pinpoint timing and the brain of a NASA scientist. I loved the progression of the puzzles over the fifteen chapters and found it incredibly rewarding to work them out. At least that is until the game leaps into new territory and the puzzles become so incredibly complex that it all feels a bit too overwhelming. That’s when the enjoyment level plunges as a result.
Visually, Causal Loop looks good without being completely stunning. The planet of Tor Ulsat is a rocky, sandy place, but it does offer some good vistas here and there. The ancient runes and alien technology work well, but it’s the level design itself that truly impresses visually, especially when you are using the echo branching and seeing multiple versions of yourself running seamlessly around the environment. There are some good cutscenes as well.
The sound design is solid, featuring a sci-fi soundtrack that sets a moody tone alongside some great sound effects. A fully voiced cast delivers the material with zest and puts in good performances.
A Demanding Sci-Fi Romp for Puzzle Fans
Fan of games like Portal and The Talos Principle? You’ll become at one with Causal Loop. Its story is a good one, featuring likeable characters and a narrative that reveals its mysteries in small segments. The echo branching puzzle mechanic is a unique and brilliant concept that I thoroughly enjoyed getting my small brain around. However, I do think the game suffers toward the end, as the difficulty level spikes, leading to some frustration.
Overall, though, this is an enjoyable, demanding sci-fi romp that took me by surprise.
Important Links
Solve Puzzles Across Time In Causal Loop On Xbox, PC And PS5 – https://www.thexboxhub.com/solve-puzzles-across-time-in-causal-loop-on-xbox-pc-and-ps5/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/causal-loop/9ncb9qz8wknw
