Quantum Conundrum
“The game is a dementia simulator. You don't know who you are, you are locked in a strange place with no reason and you do strange things because a condescending voice in your head tells you to. Meanwhile learning the laws of physics and enjoying the view.”
Quantum Conundrum is a puzzle-platformer video game created by that woman who created Portal.
Story[edit | edit source]
You play the nephew to a brilliant but eccentric inventor named Fitz Quadwrangle. Shortly because the nephew’s arrival, Fitz accidentally teleported himself to a pocket dimension (whatever that is) and received a rather nasty knock on the head, resulting in memory loss. Unable to remember how he trapped himself, he now has to rely on his nephew to rescue him.
Gameplay[edit | edit source]
The game consist mostly of puzzles, all of which are solved through the changing of various dimensions. This is accomplished through a machine called the Inter-Dimensional Shift Device.
Unfortunately, most of these puzzles also demand twitch reflexes and precision platforming. This would not be so bad if it was not for the fact that the player’s entire body is invisible, thus often resulting in jumping and timing miscalculations.
Inter-Dimensional Shift Device[edit | edit source]
Looking oddly similar to the Nintendo Power Glove, the Inter-Dimensional Shift Device (or, as us hardcore scientists call it, the IDS) is an invention created by Quadwrangle that allow the player to move from dimension to dimension. This is helpful considering that nearly all the puzzles in the game can conveniently by solved by utilizing one or more of the available dimensions.
Dimensions[edit | edit source]
- Fluffy: A big soft pink nightmare, fluffy makes everything lightweight and sickening adorable.
- Heavy: Heavy turns objects into metal, resulting in carboard boxes becoming window-smashing bricks.
- Slow Motion: Besides the obvious, slow motion also causes the world to look like an old penny arcade movie.
Characters[edit | edit source]
- The nephew: the 12 year old protagonist. He remains silent throughout the entire game, possibly suggesting that he is mute or maybe just introverted. Also, he may possibly be a ghost on account of the fact that his body is not visible.
- Professor Fitz Quadwrangle: the nephew’s brilliant uncle. Fitz is an inventor of sorts, but in true eccentric fashion very few of his inventions work properly. He also choose to live in what could best be described as an oversized death trap, whick only serves to give more credibility to the theory that Fitz is less of a genius and more of a quack.
- The Interdimensional Kinetic Entity: or IKE, if you want to be lazy about it. IKE is a sort of wombat-looking plushie monster who helps the nephew navigated around the house. He also screams gibberish, throws batteries, and teleports.
Reception[edit | edit source]
“And I would have enjoyed it too, if it wasn’t for that wonky platforming!”
Critics were rather divided with many praising the puzzles but criticism the platforming segments as being keyboard-smashingly difficult. Perhaps on the next game Kim and the gang might want to try and do a better job of making those platforming sections more enjoyable.
Or perhaps just cut them altogether.
Just a thought.
