Does It Stack? Meet a groundbreaking physics-based puzzle game that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, where we recently had an exclusive opportunity to try out at Gamescom. Here are our comprehensive findings.
Priorly showcased in our concluding UploadVR Summer Showcase, Does It Stack? Here is the rewritten text:
From the Belgian studio Cybernetic Walrus, a new challenge awaits: stacking ordinary objects on top of each other without the entire structure toppling over. The game features 60 levels, divided into three challenging sections each, and offers an impressive 150 unlockable items for players to discover. Additionally, the game tracks your progress, storing your high scores and uploading them to a dynamic online leaderboard for others to view and compete with. Here is the earlier trailer.
Paying tribute to Supermassive Games’ Tumble VR, a PSVR adaptation of the PS3 puzzle game featuring physics-based challenges, the title’s relatable premise is effortlessly conveyed. Whereas Does It Stack? The upcoming game will feature an enhanced VR experience with the addition of a totally immersive Virtual Reality (VR) mode and seamless native co-op capabilities. My recent single-player demo successfully demonstrated four interconnected levels of high-fidelity graphics, showcasing the impressive visuals and immersive gameplay available on the latest Quest 3 device.
The challenge lies in efficiently stacking these objects to attain a specific summit, commencing with a selection of pre-determined items in four distinct colors. Not every object seeks to serve this purpose, and having the capacity to traverse entire ranges through various approaches offers creative latitude. Multicoloured objects, such as a yellow desk with crimson legs, pose intriguing design dilemmas.
While you may attempt to brute-force your way to success by stacking matching colored objects together, ultimately. When two identical-hued objects make brief contact, a potentially catastrophic chain reaction can unfold, imperiling your entire stack’s stability. While the unexpected interaction between objects might prove to be an innovative turn of events, it’s understandable that users may experience frustration when accidentally triggering these interactions during simple relocation tasks.
Where problems become particularly challenging lies on the higher difficulty levels, and the introduction of puzzles adds an extra layer of complexity. In one instance, the protocol necessitated crowning the stack with a cheese wheel, while another iteration demanded that the ultimate product bear a blue hue. The initial offer may not seem unappealing, but once you discover the specific terms, its true nature is revealed.
While awaiting broader features like multiplayer, there’s limited to add until I’ve experienced the full scope; however, the core concept holds up well in virtual reality. The Cybernetic Walrus has informed that a Stack game will serve as the inaugural title in its “Does It” series, but details about future releases remain unclear. As a fan of Tumble VR from its 2016 release, I’m impressed by the progress made so far.
Does It Stack? Is set to debut this autumn on the Meta Quest.
