The top down gameplay format, typical of early consoles and computer games is one of the most accessible forms of gaming. The format is easy to follow with few controls, allowing for gameplay to be easily grasped by larger demographics.
Where the format gains its beauty is through the ability to add in storyline for creative tasks, and in some cases, multiple endings to a game. A personal favorite is “OneShot”, a game developed by Future Cat LLC. that was first released in 2016.
In the game, the player follows the character Niko, a young boy transported to a world he must save. The player is not playing as Niko, but meant to save him, playing instead as the “God” guiding Niko back home.
The player is able to individually interact with Niko, give specific answers, and act as a Y/N guide throughout the story influencing gameplay decisions. The player even decides whether Niko saves the world he’s been put in, or returns home to his own world.
The more literal storyline of the world Niko finds himself in is to restore the sun, which Niko carries with him. The world is in three sections: the Barrens, the Glen, and the Refuge. All of them are a part of the larger story of the world falling to darkness, creating problems with the environment. Even the robots in the world stop working, yet the player has access to forces outside of Niko, specifically in the puzzles.
The puzzle aspect of this top down game is what makes it a standout example of such a uniquely irreplaceable gaming form. The puzzle aspect comes from two main features: Finding objects through exploration and character interaction, or by “the world machine”. The objects found naturally can be used in gameplay to unlock boxes, or combined to create new objects needed to power robots and other world features.
The world machine is the most unique feature of the game. These puzzles are specifically for you, not Niko, and give you information about the state of the world. While merely a top-down game, the players need to decide Nikos fate, and the world’s fate relies on an emotional morale in the player’s experience. One must choose to either save the world (the one Niko is not meant to be in) or save Niko, by destroying the sun, sending the world into darkness.
Top-down games like OneShot use the easy mechanics mixed with storyline to keep players coming back. It allows for deep lore and story concepts to circle around gaming communities, speculating and reworking just what these characters are (like the world machine) and what the world Niko finds himself in even is.
Is it a world of code? A facade? Maybe it should be saved, but what about Niko? All valid questions, and all ones you should explore in this irreplaceable game. If you love simple controls with complex storylines and puzzles, this top-down adventure game is a great choice.
