Objectophilia. The sensation of being interested in a construction is perhaps best characterized by the phrase that is closest to what you may discover, but it’s actually more like a natural fascination with ordinary inanimate things. While participating in Constructing Relationships, I’m convinced that they’ll create something entirely fresh and innovative for those who join, likely to spark an awakening within. There’s now a sport where you might be attracted to literal buildings, and you know what? While the Steam Subsequent Fest demo showcases its potential, it’s quite decent overall.
Constructing Relationships, a seemingly absurd game where players find themselves stranded on an island with the singular objective of forging meaningful bonds – both literal and metaphorical – with fellow castaways. When I say I’m at home, I mean it – I’m not a dwelling with physical features like eyes, arms, or legs; I might simply be a building, and to navigate around me, you would need to roll around the space.
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What variety of edifices might one encounter? For instance, a windmill dubbed Millie or a tent referred to as Tenet; these unconventional monikers raise questions about what exactly constitutes a structure – a debate that may continue unabated for centuries, yielding no clear winner. Some structures appear hell-bent on invading your basement – a phenomenon I’ve never witnessed before, despite the complete absence of emotional cues on their otherwise expressionless facades, since, after all, buildings lack faces.
With tongue firmly planted in cheek and a penchant for wordplay, every corner of this demo’s compact realm conceals clever puns awaiting discovery. I’ve navigated treacherous situations with care, lest my anxiety trigger a cardiovascular incident; even the most irrational fears seemed to paralyze me, leaving me crimson-faced.
Humorously, the gameplay is intended to be amusing as well. While cruising across the environment, I’m struck by a strong resemblance to Katamari Damacy, particularly in terms of its lighthearted, quirky charm – albeit without the added bonus of growing an enormous ball of collected items. The game boasts an exceptionally captivating motion system that truly grabs your attention.
Leaning on the whimsical tone established by lead developer Tanat Boozayaangool, who aptly dubbed the experience “A Brief Hike, however silly,” his description perfectly encapsulates the essence of this endeavour. You may converse with various Chesters, distinct chests in an intricate polyamorous connection (indeed), which grant bonus jumps and wave dashes, allowing you to bound your home around the island at breakneck velocity – a game I hope speedrunners will craft, simply to witness just how absurd things can become.
In addition to its main gameplay, the title features a lighthearted dating mini-game where players craft decorative items to impress eligible bachelors, known as “Pads,” who surprisingly devour the presented furnishings. Assuming furnishings in this universe are not sentient, as doing so would avoid potential chaos if they were. While the minigame appears straightforwardly inspired by Ikea’s furniture design, its simplicity belies potential challenges arising from varied types of furnishings further along in the game. While fishing minigame enthusiasts may find comfort in similar experiences like those found in Stardew Valley, introducing subtle variations can enhance the challenge and engagement.
The demo won’t consume much of your time, yet it’s surprisingly endearing in spite of some simpler elements; I found myself thoroughly captivated by its quirky charm. When platformers eschew conventional sensibility for unbridled absurdity, they often achieve a zenith of entertainment; Constructing Relationships embodies this ethos to great effect. Now, all that remains is for me to reflect on the emotional significance of homes, which I’m confident will require a straightforward introspection.
