Together, Forever- ilomilo Review

I wouldn’t be surprised if recent XBLA title ilomilo became a compulsory case study for first-year DigiPen students. By interweaving an absorbing game mechanic, quirky back story, along with safeguards to protect players from getting stuck on a particularly challenging conundrum, the title is the rare prototypical puzzler with few flaws. Coupled with a visual style that’s as cozy as a fluffy blanket on a cold winter day, ilomilo‘s whimsical world offers a near-irresistible destination for gamers. Only the most adamant action-infatuated gamer won’t be beguiled by the game’s synergistic combination of charms.

Like the best entries in the puzzle genre,  ilomilo‘s  impetus is deceptively simple. Players are tasked with reuniting ilo and milo across an increasingly complicated series of levels. Although tangential to the game’s enjoyment, the title itself could be read as a metaphor for relationships- tasking the duo with circumnavigating a succession of increasingly complex and obstacle-filled stages. To succeed, players must guide each of the protagonists to adjacent squares- typically a halfway point on the map, where the tribulations begin anew on the next level. Although gamers control only one character at a time, they can shift freely between members, and even press a button to display where the other partner is in the environment.

Fortunately, both ilo and milo have a few tools at their disposal to offset any obstructions. Each character may pick up a cube, which can be used to traverse chasms in the playfield; some cubes even enlarge fourfold to crate makeshift bridges or elevators. Occasionally, one character is required to place the device in an area that is accessible to the other, bringing ilo and milo temptingly close to each other. Additionally, stages are littered with pieces which allow each characters to move blocks, spring through the air, and alter which side of each isometric environment can be navigated. Before long, ilomilo has players conceptualizing in three dimensions, as they think about the easiest way to connect the characters.

Like most contemporary puzzlers, the title offers a number of supplementary objectives to maintain a player’s interest. Gamers may scour each stage for Safkas- diminutive creatures which unlock bonus levels. Additionally, there’s a wealth of memorabilia-themed items: photographs and records which grant access to inspired concept art and soundtracks. There’s also a plethora of flowers in each level to entice completionists, and even an unlockable eight-bit style diversion. For owners of A World of Keflings or Raskulls, there’s an additional amount of crossover content, encouraging fans to purchase the trio of indie titles.

Graphically, ilomilo‘s fabric-textured world might dupe gamers into thinking the title is a family-friendly romp. From the gentle plumpness of each cube in the playfield to an soft depth-of-field, the game’s visuals can belie the game’s challenge. With later puzzles taking close to an hour to complete, the title is sure to test the patience of both younger players as well as gamers accustomed to more action-oriented fare. Fortunately, the game’s soundtrack offers sufficiently smoothing melodies, ideal for reuniting the star-crossed significant others.

Like the best conundrums, ilomilo‘s ruleset is masterfully exploited, gently guiding gamers though nearly fifty, ever-increasing intricate brainteasers. Smartly, the inability to pass to solve a particular head-scratcher doesn’t impede a player’s progress- the game’s branching overworld map ensures multiple routes are open. It’s these type of design decisions which elevate ilomilo over its peers, and into the upper echelon of puzzle games.