| Version | 1.1 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Simogo |
| Release date | Jan 23, 2014 |
| Date added | Jan 23, 2014 |
| Os requirements | iOS |
| Requirements | Requires iOS 5.1 or later. |
| Total downloads | 497 |
| Price | $3.99 |
Description
A surreal thriller in which the written word is your map, as well as your narrator.
DEVICE 6 plays with the conventions of games and literature, entwines story with geography and blends puzzle and novella, to draw players into an intriguing mystery of technology and neuroscience.
Anna wakes up in a castle on a remote island, with little recollection of how she got there. All she remembers is an unusually unpleasant doll.
Why are there two identical castles on the island? Who is the mysterious man in the bowler hat? And above all, what is the purpose of the tests Anna is put through?
Read, listen and peek into three-dimensional photographs to solve the bizarre mysteries of DEVICE 6.
Review
Device 6 is a story-driven game for iOS that lets players solve a mystery using a gyroscope, parallax images, and clues hidden in text.
Pros
Clever use of narrative: Device 6 begins with words and pictures and so plays like a storyboard. The app cleverly uses visual cues in line breaks, images, audio, and even paragraph structures to make you solve puzzles to advance the story. We found ourselves constantly backtracking, rereading paragraphs for clues, and becoming immersed in this novel of a game.
Interactive images and music: Device 6 is best played with headphones, because ambient noise and sound effects are critical elements to solving puzzles. Scrolling parallax images are great visual complements to the story but also give players clues to progress. Each chapter's puzzle incorporates audio, visual, and textual references that give you clues to unlock the next story section.
Satisfying challenges: Device 6 requires some thought, as well as a hefty amount of reading. Though the puzzles in each chapter are challenging, they never quite feel impossible. Device 6 is a game that plays on your curiosity to drive your decisions -- not casual achievements or interactive goals.
Cons
Not for short attention spans: Device 6 can be a pick-up-and-play game, but it is not designed for the casual user.
Little replay value: Device 6 is a bit like a good movie: It has a great ending but leaves little incentive to replay the game -- at least not in the immediate future.
Bottom Line
Device 6's innovation and polish put it in a league of its own. Though it's not for everyone, those who are willing to explore the multiple levels of the story and become immersed in its clever narratives, design mechanics, and puzzling challenges will be rewarded with a deep, satisfying experience. Device 6 received many nominations and awards at the 2014 Independent Games Festival for good reason. We highly recommend serious gamers take Device 6 for a spin.
