UNRAVEL TWO
Not a loose thread in sight
Plucking at our heart strings much like its predecessor did, this follow-up to the diminutive puzzle platformer that charmed our socks off back in 2015 is a welcome return. What’s different this time is that Yarny is bound by the threads of fate to another1 little woolly being and gameplay now has a co-operative aspect.
Rooftops and playgrounds, forests and rivers set the scene beautifully for the physics-based puzzles you’ll need to knit a path through. Even when the physics feel a bit funky, they never lead to outright frustration. Hints are mapped to o and there’s no penalty for taking a peek to get yourself moving again. Rather than showing a lack of confidence in its own design, it’s clear that Unravel Two wants to keep you moving up the garden path rather than leave you caught on a particularly rickety stile. And when the pace is able to flow, it’s a very sweet little adventure.
If you’re only able to play solo, fear not: the collaborative aspect seldom feels obtrusive, largely implemented well as part of the solution to bigger challenges. Naturally, high jinks do ensue when you allow a friend to take over half of the entwined duo locally. That said, the design of the main game does appear to be skewed towards leading someone through a level rather than working collaboratively in order to progress2 – good for playing with a child, perhaps.
The main game presents a leisurely stroll, while a demanding obstacle course can be found in its challenge levels. And though its story lacks the same emotional punch as its predecessor, this sequel is certainly still worth getting tangled up in either alone or with a friend. Jess Kinghorn