An Interstellar Octopus Adventure
The humble octopus is an amazing creature. They are highly intelligent, have three hearts, and pump blue blood through their bodies. They have no bones and can instantly camouflage themselves to blend into their surroundings, avoiding predators while simultaneously becoming the ultimate hunter. They possess a central brain, but also mini-brains in each of their eight arms, which means those limbs can still operate even if they have been severed. I haven’t even scratched the surface of how incredible these creatures are, which is exactly why some people believe they are aliens.
Darwin’s Paradox! features an octopus as its star, and it just so happens to include a huge alien storyline as well. Sucker up, and let’s play.
Cephalopod in a Spaceship
This is an old-fashioned 2D platformer where you play as an octopus named Darwin. At the start of the game, you are swimming in the ocean with an unnamed red friend. This red octopus shows Darwin the ropes, teaching him how to move, climb on any surface, spray ink, and, of course, partake in some camouflage. Suddenly, they are scooped up by a strange UFO, and Darwin wakes up entirely alone in an industrial rubbish tip. Covered in toxic waste, Darwin cannot use any of his natural abilities, meaning you have to regain those skills bit by bit. Along the way, Darwin must uncover exactly what – and who – picked him up and dumped him there.
I really liked the tone of Darwin’s Paradox!, which immediately reminded me of classic titles like Destroy All Humans!. It features some great locations and a highly likeable protagonist in Darwin. At its heart, it is all about the platforming, but the short narrative works wonderfully through its non-verbal storytelling.
Brutal Platforming
This is a game that doesn’t hold your hand for long; instead, it quickly pushes you right into oncoming traffic. In the beginning, you learn the most basic skills, such as jumping, double-jumping, and using your suckers to grab and move objects. However, it isn’t long before things are actively trying to kill you, from rats in the rubbish dumps to scorching hot pipes in the industrial units. I died so many times in the first chapter that I genuinely thought I was pressing the wrong buttons.
As always though, the more you fail, and the more you die, eventually, the game takes pity and offers a hint button. Pressing this usually yields utterly useless advice, such as “Avoid hot pipes” or “Don’t let the glow run out”. Terrible advice aside, you do naturally start to get a bit better.
Early on, you learn to stick to walls and surfaces when you are out of the water. You can traverse walls, pipes, or machinery in a full 360 degrees. Sometimes you might land in mud or industrial sludge, which coats your suckers and prevents you from sticking. When this happens, you must find water to wash yourself off, adding a clever layer to the puzzle-solving.
Ink Jets and Stealth
Camouflage and stealth are the next mechanics to master. If a hunter is patrolling, you can hit a button at exactly the right moment to seamlessly blend into the environment. Then there are the dreaded spotlight sections; getting caught in the light can feel a bit hit-and-miss.
The ink jet mechanic is much more interesting, allowing you to shoot a jet of the black stuff in any direction to obscure an enemy’s vision as you casually mosey on by. You can also use it to interact with puzzles and open up new routes. Furthermore, there are thrilling moments where you can catapult yourself across huge gaps by propelling off your flexible arms.
While this is a highly enjoyable platformer, be warned: Darwin’s Paradox! doesn’t take any prisoners and can be brutally hard, right from the start. You might find yourself lost a few times, your jumps must be flawlessly accurate, and there are some incredibly unforgiving checkpoints.
Pixar-Style Visuals
Billed as a ‘cinematic platformer’, the game’s beautiful design and colourful world certainly live up to the title. The creature design is fantastic and looks like it was pulled straight out of a Pixar film. All the environments are unique and packed with exciting details. I always appreciate a 2D platformer that puts effort into its backgrounds, and the level of detail here can be truly breathtaking.
The audio is great fun as well, featuring an epic, almost B-movie soundtrack that perfectly matches the game’s quirky tone. Just get used to the sad sound effect that plays when Darwin dies, because you will be hearing it a lot.
A Hard-As-Nails Caper with Immense Charm
Darwin’s Paradox! is a delightful little caper that feels wonderfully original, and fans of old-school platformers will have an absolute blast with it. It is not an easy ride, so be prepared for moments of sheer frustration when it comes to the precision platforming or figuring out what to do next. Luckily, the stunning visuals and charming story provide more than enough motivation to carry on.
Beside all that, where else do you get the chance to be an octopus?
Important Links
Darwin’s Paradox – debut game from ex-Arkane director and ZeDrimeTim Studio; utilising Unreal Engine 5 – https://www.thexboxhub.com/darwins-paradox-debut-game-from-ex-arkane-director-and-zedrimetim-studio-utilising-unreal-engine-5/
Darwin’s Paradox! – A Tentacled Twist On Adventure – https://www.thexboxhub.com/darwins-paradox-a-tentacled-twist-on-adventure/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/darwins-paradox/9P06H5NM3TZV/0010
