Nomori: A New Physics Puzzler Game Review
If you’re a fan of games that challenge your perception and reward creative thinking, then the upcoming physics puzzler game Nomori might just be the perfect fit for you. Recently, at the ID@Xbox event at GDC, I had the opportunity to play through the demo of Nomori and chat with Studio Director Marnix Licht, who heads the small remote team at Enchanted Works, spread across the Netherlands.
In Nomori, players take on the role of Kiko, a young girl who, in a classic folktale twist, gets lost on her way to her grandmother’s house. She finds herself in a whimsical spirit world filled with floating islands inhabited by friendly mushrooms, giant talking cats, and other enchanting creatures. The game draws inspiration from Japanese folklore, particularly from the works of animation legend Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, such as “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke.”
While the game’s cozy and inviting aesthetic may seem simple at first glance, the puzzle design is much more intricate. Licht mentioned that one of their key insights at the beginning of development was to create a game with a warm and cozy atmosphere but with challenging puzzle mechanics. This design philosophy is reminiscent of games like Portal, which are known for their complex puzzles that require players to think outside the box.
Initially, players navigate through the game by moving across floating islands connected by fixed portals. The twist comes when players realize that the orientation of portals remains the same, meaning that the direction of gravity when entering a portal will be maintained when exiting it. This unique mechanic adds a layer of complexity to the gameplay, requiring players to think strategically about their movements.
Licht described Nomori as a game that focuses on the conservation of orientation, drawing inspiration from the work of surrealist artist M.C. Escher. As players progress, they encounter a friendly gelatinous cube with bunny ears called a Slimebun. Players can use their Wind Grasp ability to manipulate the Slimebun and use it as a mobile platform to solve puzzles and unlock new areas. This mechanic is akin to the companion cube in Portal, adding an element of companionship and puzzle-solving to the game.
One of the standout moments in Nomori is when players gain the ability to rotate portals in 90-degree increments, changing the orientation of their exit point and altering the direction of gravity. This mechanic adds a new layer of complexity to the puzzles, requiring players to think spatially and experiment with different solutions.
The Slimebun’s design, with liquid on its bottom and bunny ears on top, serves as a visual cue for players to understand its orientation. The Wind Grasp ability allows players to send the Slimebun through portals independently, creating unique gravity-defying scenarios that players must navigate. By combining this mechanic with time manipulation, players can create moving platforms and solve increasingly challenging puzzles.
Nomori’s world is grounded in consistent physics, allowing players to approach puzzles in multiple ways and find creative solutions. The game rewards players for thinking outside the box by placing collectible spirits in hard-to-reach spots that were not initially intended to be accessible. This open-ended approach to puzzle-solving gives players a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as they progress through the game.
Overall, Nomori is a charming and thoughtful game that offers a unique take on portal puzzling. I am excited to see how the game’s mechanics evolve and challenge players across the entire experience when it launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC later this year, with support for Xbox Play Anywhere.
In conclusion, Nomori promises to be a delightful and engaging puzzle game that will test players’ spatial reasoning and creativity. With its charming aesthetic and challenging mechanics, Nomori is sure to captivate players looking for a fresh and innovative gaming experience.
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