

When we travel through a created pathway the black line becomes chequered trying to then change this route will reset the puzzle, forcing us back to the start.
#THE PEDESTRIAN GAME PS4 HOW TO#
There is usually a key item in one sign, and the exit to the puzzle in another, with our objective to figure out how to move through all signs presented to us in one motion successfully. A press of the Y button zooms our view out a little, allowing us to both move signs around as needed and also create pathways between them by linking up the black exit points. Once we’re in a puzzle area, things start to become far more complicated – and not always for the better, but we’ll get to that.Įarly examples take the concept of fliting between signage and implement the challenge in really rather clever ways. In between sections simply lead us around the environments as we flit from road to street to information signage in an area, getting us used to the idea of doorways, platforms, ladders and more before lumping a collection of these and more into the actual puzzles. You see, we move our character between these signs to progress. Aside from looking lovely and giving the puzzles a unique backdrop, this is also intrinsic to the gameplay concept. Later on we get mild hints in the form a post-it notes pointing towards the area we need to look for the items but once we’re there it’s all back on us.Īs you can tell from the screenshots about this page, this puzzling gameplay takes place across several street and warning signs dotted around a real world environment. From the simple implication of an exit door to an obvious need to move a block or key from one place to another, The Pedestrian does a great job of using the levels and items to let players fill in the blanks with what we’re supposed to be doing. The best kind of puzzle titles are the ones that make clear what we’re to do without explicitly saying a word, and that’s exactly what we get here. It can feel a bit overbearing at times, and it could have been a tad shorter if anything, but overall I rounded off the campaign with a smile on my face. 2D puzzle platformers are hardly rare, but when they’re to the standard of The Pedestrian you know we’re in for a treat. Not only is this a wonderful way to link levels, but it also creates the notion of a journey as the stick person makes an arduous trip through the city.The Pedestrian embodies almost all that I like about indie puzzle titles inventive twists on standard mechanics wrapped up in a unique and gloriously designed aesthetic. As you complete a level, the camera beautifully tracks across the environment leading to the next puzzle. Your stick person can be represented on a 4bit LCD screen or even on a chalkboard adding variety to the areas you explore. Depending on the surface, the graphical style changes to reflect it. Scratches and dents glimmer off signs and surfaces making the world feel authentic. Each area is filled with character and faithfully replicates the bustling streets that we are so used to wandering. The minimalist design of the 2D puzzles beautifully juxtaposes the inner city backdrop of the game. With the absence of dialogue and on-screen text, players can work out how to use the new gameplay elements by the design of the puzzle before them.

Each area is made up of multiple puzzles and new mechanics are introduced at the start. Juggling routes, moveable signs, switches, and more may sound overwhelming but due to the ingenious design, these become second nature.

Throughout the relatively short playtime, I had several gaming epiphanies, which made the seemingly impossible conundrum clear and evoked that satisfying feeling of achievement. Routes become more complex and less linear as the difficulty cracks up in the last third of the game creating some head-scratching moments but, it’s at these points that The Pedestrian truly shines. Each stage introduces a new gameplay element that challenges you to rethink how you would have previously tackled a puzzle. Skookum Arts’ pacing and development of core mechanics is masterful.
