3 Great Things About Total Reload (And 2 Things That Can Be Improved)
Total Reload is one of the most unusual indie games I’ve played recently. Taking inspiration from Portal, you play an AI named HAWKING who must rediscover his past and, perhaps, save the universe itself. I previously covered this game in my Weekly Indie Spotlight column, but now that I own the full game, I can cover it in a bit more detail. Here are three awesome things about the game (and two things that can be improved).
Three Great Things About Total Reload
1. It Encourages Abstract Thinking
Developed by TORSHOCK, Total Reload drops you into the game with no opening cutscene or main menu. The bulk of the game involves connecting wires, switching power generators, and more. As you progress, the puzzles, of course, get more and more complicated, really stretching your mind. Instead of an action-packed experience, you get a slower pace that encourages you to think.
2. The Immersion
As I said in my Indie Spotlight, this is the first game I’ve ever played where the protagonist is aware that it’s being controlled by an outside force. As such, HAWKING talks directly to you, making you feel like you’re actually forming a relationship with the main character instead of merely controlling him. He gradually reveals the story through drawings on the wall, creating suspense as you slowly learn why you are doing what you’re doing.
3. The Music
As you’re stretching your brain out, you’ll be listening to an awesome soundtrack. With chill techno vibes, the soundtrack is nothing short of a treat, which helps to make the experience more complete and relaxing, even when you’re tearing your hair out while trying to figure out where you need to plug the next wire or how to turn off the force fields so you can carry your wire into the next room. Music goes a long way to de-stress an experience.
Of course, no game is perfect, so here are two things that the game could improve.
Two Things to Improve on
1. A Reset Feature
Sometimes you place one wire, then you place another one, then you switch the power, then you place another wire, then you switch the power again, then you might lose track of what you were doing, which wires you’ve connected where, or even your main goal. If you go a few weeks without playing, you might forget what you were doing and which steps you took. A button or switch that allows you to reset rooms could help make for a smoother experience.
2. More Varied Environments
Much like in Portal, you’ll be exploring a lot of sterile rooms and corridors. After a while, they all start to look the same. Giving the different areas more distinction isn’t a necessity, of course, but varied environments could help certain parts of the game stand out in people’s minds.
Go Buy Total Reload
Even though there are spots to be improved, Total Reload is a rich, unique experience. If you enjoy games like Portal, you should definitely check this game out. The Steam Winter Sale currently has Total Reload on sale for $15.99, so why don’t you head over to Steam and check it out?
