Topatoi: Spinning Through the Worlds Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Topatoi: Spinning Through the Worlds box art

System: PS3 (PSN)	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Boolat Games	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Boolat Games	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 15, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Pending	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Since even increasing your basic maneuvering speed causes your limited supply of fuel to burn quicker, I found myself creeping through most of the game at the slowest possible speed. It also had me constantly pondering whether I'd have enough to make it to the end of each level instead of just enjoying the various puzzles and platforming elements being placed in front of me. Of course, one can also pick up some additional fuel that is scattered about every level, but there is always a finite amount and some of the larger quantities are more difficult to get to, making you question whether the fuel you'll use getting to it is worth it or not.

Topatoi: Spinning Through the Worlds screenshot

Just the basics of moving about, platform jumping, and combat feel pretty clumsy as well, especially when you constantly need to question the speed at which you're GEMMA is spinning. Momentum plays a large role in your abilities, for example, to make any decent-sized jump, you'll need to be perfectly lined up and get a suitable running start before attempting it. If you don't, you'll usually find yourself coming up short and plummeting to your doom. Falling into a pit can also be a common result of some frequently poorly placed camera angles that don't quite show you where you're going or the holes that you'll be falling into.

But even with its gameplay flaws, the most offensive part of Topatoi has to be its lack of content. The story with which the game kicks off doesn't even come close to resolving in the scant seven levels that make up the game's single-player campaign; not that it was particularly compelling to begin with. Instead, the game leaves you out to dry and simply states: "The adventure will continue in the next episode of Topatoi". Besides the single-player campaign, all you're left with are ten challenge maps that involve picking up fuel and cubes and a few split-screen multiplayer outings. While it's not fair to expect an epic eighty hour experience out of a ten dollar downloadable title, you can be done with what Topatoi has to offer in less than four hours.

The idea behind Topatoi was a good one, taking a platform puzzle game and adding a new wrinkle, but it's extremely short length makes it hard to recommend even at its ten dollar price tag. Perhaps a few more levels or even some sort of story resolution could have helped Topatoi feel more like a full game than just a lengthy demo. Although, even with more content, the clunky gameplay, fuel rationing, and occasionally iffy camera angles would still get in the way of an otherwise good time. If you're looking for a good puzzle platform game, you're probably better off looking elsewhere.

By Adam Brown
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.8

Graphics
You won't find anything too impressive here, but the environments look decent, as does the GEMMA.

2.2

Control
Maneuvering and jumping with the GEMMA is clumsy at best, aggravating at worst.

2.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Don't expect too many frills in the sound department.

2.1

Play Value
With only seven levels, ten challenges, and a couple split-screen multiplayer outings, Topatoi just doesn't last very long.

2.3

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

A fusion of genres. An original concept with roots in the old school classics like The Lost Vikings and Bubba 'N Stix

Breathtaking physics model. Topatoi is all about the physics, which is well-crafted and provide a truly unique experience.

Multiple worlds and environments with different types of puzzles. All environments have their own distinctive features that affect gameplay.

Multiplayer modes. Currently, split-screen multiplayer mode is available. Further updates will bring more modes.