An atmospheric, action-adventure puzzle-platformer that’s thoughtful, lush, and gorgeously desolate
FAR: Changing Tides by developer Okomotive is the sequel to FAR: Lone Sails.
FAR: Changing Tides continues the story from the first game. The player is on a versatile vessel that can travel in many different ways on their way to a specific destination. Blocking the path are many puzzles that must be solved to progress.
In comparison to the first game, FAR: Changing Tides has many streamlining elements
The first thing is that the colour palette is different. There is no longer a tacky bright red highlighting interactive objects on a monochrome background.
Now, the colour palette is brown and blue. This is much more organic and soft on the eye, allowing for better immersion.
There are also many subtle differences to the vessel itself. The travel counter, telling the player how many metres have been travelled, has been removed. And now there are bellows to jump on to propel the vessel forward.
Like every game element, the changes to gameplay are thoughtfully considered and have pragmatism at their core.
The core of the gameplay is the collection of trash to burn
This sounds utterly tiresome, but the gameplay loop never gets stale due to many aspects of the meticulously crafted world in which actions are carried out.
Firstly, the scarcity of supply, much in the vein of games like TLOU and other post-apocalyptic titles, makes finding supplies exhilarating.
In addition, the world is so beautifully crafted that the player will get excited every time supplies are found because it means more of the world will be seen and enjoyed.
Finally, the collection of supplies is meditative. There is strength and even mindfulness in the repetition. Befitting the pacing of this game, collecting supplies is slow and steady, which makes the player reflect on what they are doing and why.
The other aspect of gameplay is maintaining direction speed and reducing damage to the ship. This is also quietly thrilling. And even without any interest in ships, many players are likely to find this aspect deeply enjoyable.
All the gameplay is such a welcome far cry from many AAA shooters in which the only task is to kill for XP grind. And for the most part, it never feels arduous but always thrilling.
The soundtrack is like no other, massaging your insides like a Swiss hot chocolate
In the beginning stages of FAR: Changing Tides, the soundtrack is desolate yet beautiful. Empty, yet melancholy. It eases you into the world gently and discreetly.
However, as the game progresses and many surprises rear their lovely heads, the soundtrack shifts and swells into a triumphant symphony. The sounds rub you up in all the right ways, with sumptuous bass and melodious mid-tones.
For all the effort in such a melancholy world, the soundtrack at moments of victory makes everything feel right with the world.
The soundtrack was composed by Joel Schoch, who also wrote the soundtrack for the sequel. But interestingly, Schoch is not known for making music for any other games or movies.
There is great symbolism in FAR: Changing Tides
As the player sees their tiny character overcoming a vast diversity of odds against them, it is impossible not to feel warm and encouraged to achieve great things.
Size is a significant theme for Far: Changing Tides and is explored in many fascinating ways.
More than anything, it feels like a political story is being told, about the ‘tiny’ person rising up against the heavy crush of a world set against them. But this is simply one interpretation of many in a game deliberately crafted to evoke thought and reflection.
But for all its plaudits, FAR: Changing Tides is not perfect
But it’s not far off.
It has to be said that the gameplay loop may deter some players in this age of quick dopamine fixes and instant gratification with little effort. Though very different to XP-grind games, the repetition may feel without a clear objective at first to some players.
Far: Changing Tides has zero dialogue or tutorials, meaning there is no hand-holding whatsoever. This will put many people off, too, as it will be frustrating for some.
A game like this is presumably forged to make the player enjoy the surroundings. The problem is, it is a beautiful world but lacking any movement or life. There are also moments when the player is moving forwards, but nothing is happening.
At times, the vessel itself causes problems as it is just so darn constricted and objects are too close together. Of course, such ships submarines in real life, for example, are claustrophobic, and in this way, the game feels realistic. But tell that to the player grabbing a lever when they want the water hose, and the vessel is about to catch fire, grinding to a halt!
Overall, this is a must-play game for players who like puzzles set in gorgeous, slow-paced worlds
All faults are minor in this game. And when it surprises and awes, which it often does. And in these moments, it is like nothing that has come before, except, of course, the prequel.
FAR: Changing Tides is available on Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows
Thanks to Okomotive for a free copy of this game for review.
