project_structure_01 - A Blame-like Game Review

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project_structure_01 is a blame-like in form and function. You are exploring a series of large Levels in an open-ended approach.

There is no timelimit or any other mechanic to hurry you, but the game offers a number of lightbulbs on the way, to prevent you from getting lost.

The game presents itself in a superior 4:3 aspect ratio, an untextured but pretty lit-up look and a slight lens distortion to round of the presentation.

The levels are vast and have rubber ducks in special places for the player as collectables.

My opinion

I've only played the first 3 of the six total levels with the Steam Next Fest demo, so take this with a grain of salt.

I liked the levels, even though they had a brutalist concrete look to them and not the tpyical mega city look of a blame-like. But, to be fair this is a game that doesn't advertise with Blame! at all, so it would be unfair to expect that.

The music transported the general mood really well and underscored the awe-inspiring architecture. The game uses a good mix of simple hallways, often looking similar in combination with beautiful structures. It is a balance well chosen.

I think where its goals clash is the exploration paired with the collectables. Exploration in a game like this, especially without any specific goals or a narrative hook is something that has to come from the player. But as soon as the player is given the hint of collectables, they see that as their goal.

In my opinion, a trademark of a good blame-like is the feeling of the journey being a reward in itself. The world should impose itself on the player (and ps01's world does that) so diluting that experience with given goals that are video-gamey by nature feels unnecessary to me. If I could influence the game in it's current state, I would suggest adding another hook, gives the player a reason to move but not keep it moving.

Overall I liked my time with the demo and plan to revisit the game when it releases.