Analysis The plan effect; a dark journey home

In this analysis, we are going to embark on one of those adventures that go unnoticed, without making much noise, but which for this very reason ends up being a pleasant surprise for those who take the plunge. I have to admit that my case was the same. I was going to play it without any expectations, but its peculiar universe and the darkness of its setting were more than enough. Studio Kiku presents a work that pulls puzzles and subtle narrative through what the player sees and does to say something. More than one head will explode at times, and there are situations that are as surreal as they are disturbing. Stay if you want to know more about The airplane effect!

The Plane effect features a simple, dark design filled with “grays”

What we find as soon as we start our journey in The airplane effect This is a very simple color scheme, ranging from black and white with minimal detail highlighted in color. As we progress, we discover that there are new elements, and even more colorful screens, while keeping the tone “dark” at all times. Somehow, the color that we can see later is still overshadowed by the surreal and weird of what our protagonist is experiencing.

Regarding the level of detail of the scenarios, don’t expect to find large spaces let alone remarkable objects or other items. The game looks more than it actually is, and its puzzles (which we’ll talk about later) provoke it. However, everything contributes to give this particular touch to the decor, It seems to be a nightmare world at all times, or at least, fantasy at times.. I can’t go into as much detail as I would like or go into detail due to spoilers, but the different screens and levels are really different, with their own personalities.

I also saw a flaw, and it is that sometimes this intention to do everything so perfectly integrated into the scenarios, sometimes contributes to the confusion of the player. This does not always happen, and despite eventually finding the solution to the puzzles, I’m afraid some players may get stuck multiple times, regardless of the level of difficulty chosen. For the rest, our protagonist has a design according to the artistic style of the game, with fairly basic animations, but which they ultimately fulfill. I especially liked some of the transition shots, which offer more variety and bring us closer to Solo.

Puzzles as the main playable plot

It might seem like it’s your typical indie adventure replacing the side-view platformer with this isometric view. However, The airplane effect It’s not just about coming forward with the excuse that they’re telling us a story or interacting with a moderately relevant object. This intimate adventure, use each screen as an opportunity to introduce ourselves to new puzzles, and thus advance in the adventure.

Controlling our character is pretty straightforward, with just the right mechanics to solve these puzzles and nothing else. It is not too deep in that sense, and greater interaction with the environment is lacking. It gives the feeling of having wasted the potential of the puzzles themselves and all the settings on each screen.. Maybe not all screens give rise to this, but for example, in the one where we were getting out of the metro to go to the street, I didn’t have the opportunity to learn much more about the universe. that surrounds the protagonist.

Regarding the puzzles themselves, although they are not overly complex, two things should be emphasized; they are started well, but at the same time they can be more complicated than necessary due to the confusion of the player himself. Generally, the game is limited to presenting us with a screen, more or less extensive, in which the succession of elements with which we interact activate that something that allows us to move forward.

And so far everything is fine, but the problem is that sometimes it is difficult to understand how everything works around us. Make no mistake, this is not a criticism of its difficulty, which can actually be chosen at the start, but rather sometimes I have the impression of having stupidly wasted my time depending on the riddles. Something that could be resolved by making it easier to do what the studio intends to convey to the player, and in which I see some shortcomings.

The plot in The Plane Effect will keep you going

As I said above, The airplane effect invites us to live a surrealist adventure, and certainly strange like it alone until the end. Putting ourselves in the shoes of Solo (our protagonist), we will live our last day at the office, but what he does not imagine is the odyssey that awaits him after going out on the streets. To the extent that everything will become darker and more sinister, going through what appears to be a dystopian society. Everything seems dead, empty, with no one to accompany us or help us on our way.

This is something Studio Kiku was able to capture. While we’re on our own at all times, it somehow manages to captivate and keep the player on their toes from the start. There is nothing apparently stalking us, but I couldn’t help but think of more than one occasion when something or someone followed in my footsteps. In reality, there are several surprises along the way, although you will have to figure it out for yourself.

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I used to talk about difficulty, but it’s not that there is an easy, intermediate or difficult level in question. In The airplane effect the adventure does not really change its level of difficulty, what the game allows us to choose the depth of the clues to guide us through the puzzles. They stick to indicating or not the action they want to perform solo. This appears when LB is pressed, so a drawing on Solo will indicate the final action to take. I chose the intermediate level, but I feel that even with all the aids, more than one can get stuck on some screens.

Having said that, and with the odd success, the title kept me going at all times, wanting to know as much as possible. The narrative is subtle, there is no narrator, and our protagonist does not speak either. Everything flows through what we see, and it makes you want to continue to the end. This is perhaps the game’s greatest virtue, which sometimes works against itself, but it will keep us glued to the screen.

Sound, our only companion

The sound section is another strong point of The airplane effect, and not because it stands out exceptionally, but because by the very approach of the game, it is the only thing that will accompany Solo during his journey. It must be said that it is far from mediocre, the sound effects of the environment conform to it satisfactorily. Even the interaction of hitting a can or walking on different terrains is brilliantly depicted.

This, yes, there is no recognizable soundtrack. Sometimes certain melodies contribute to certain moments of tension, or simply predict an intense and dangerous development for Solo. Still you don’t need much else either, well Studio Kiku’s adventure aims to achieve that feeling of absolute loneliness, lack of defense, and it really is.. One thing doesn’t take away from the other, but like I say, I’ve never missed a more complex music track. I especially liked some puzzles in which music was an essential part of them, although I’ll let you find out for yourself.

Is this dystopian adventure worth it?

We could constantly debate the message of the video game, if there are things that could be improved here and there, but given the type of product that we have in front of us, I think it is strong enough for the audience to whom. he is speaking to . It’s one of those short adventures that you want to play every once in a while., with a powerful background. Routine and mental illness are perfectly associated with what Solo experiences, and without the intention of revealing any spoilers, I’ll only tell you that part of the puzzle begins in the name of the game itself.

Don’t expect to find an iconic soundtrack, any dialogue, or clever mechanics. What matters here is the experience, thus taking advantage of elements and resources already well known to players. Studio Kiku is looking to say something, and while there are a few points that could be improved, or added that would have been great, there is no denying that they did achieve their goal. Even with a complex plot and it can be something … difficult for more than one, The airplane effect it’s quite an experience. Short and intense, but fun at the same time if you like puzzles and these different artistic proposals.