Down in Bermuda, the review

After a period of early access launch, it's time for one review of Down in Bermuda in its most complete version, currently available exclusively on Apple Arcade but soon also coming to PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. It is a'puzzle-structured adventure arranged along various islands, thus combining elements of exploration with the solution of real puzzles, ranging from various designs and types. The story tells in a very hermetic way of an aviator who falls during a terrible storm and finds himself shipwrecked on a strange archipelago full of bizarre ruins, animals and mysterious mechanisms: obviously it is the infamous Bermuda triangle, whose secrets appear in this game much less creepy than one is normally led to think, thanks also to the sweet and dreamy graphic style like that of a children's illustrated book.



Down in Bermuda, the review


The aim of the game is to find a way out by wandering among the islets that make up the archipelago and solving the puzzles hidden within them. In practice, the entire maps are all made up of puzzles scattered around the setting, which we can explore directly by scrolling on the scenarios, widening or bringing the frame closer or rotating it to observe in detail every corner of the islands. The peculiarity of Down in Bermuda is the fact of presenting different types of puzzles to solve but all based on the contextual interaction with the elements of the scenario: it is not a classic graphic adventure, with collection and combination of objects, but of direct action on the objects visible on the screen, through the simple touch on these .


In this sense, the game is somewhat reminiscent of the "hermetic" puzzles of the adventures of Amanita Design as Samorost, in which part of the challenge is to understand which elements to act on and what the reactions to interaction with certain objects may be, seen the strangeness that even here pervades the whole explorable world. However, more structured puzzles can also be found, requiring a more traditional application of logic.


A mystery wrapped in enigmas

Down in Bermuda, the review

This mixed puzzle structure keeps the game somewhere between a more classic puzzle and a continuous "pixel hunting" in search of hidden secrets in the scenario. The protagonist must in fact be able to collect a sufficient amount of energy globes that allow him to open new portals e visit additional islands, and these spheres can be found everywhere: some are conquered only by solving the puzzles, others are simply hidden within the scenario, which generates the need to try to interact a little with any suspicious element of the environments, looking for possible surprises. This is perhaps the weakest element of the gameplay, because it involves groping touching practically everything we see around, given that some interactions are not too predictable, which refers to the simple "hidden object" type adventures that are popular in the mobile world but do not really shine for inventiveness in the puzzle design.


Down in Bermuda, the review


Similarly, some puzzles are not based on a particularly complex logic and can be solved practically by operating levers and pressing random keys as they appear or are highlighted, without great reasoning. It must be said, however, that these more simplistic elements serve above all to thicken the gaming experience, also making the exploration of the scenarios itself an active element of the gameplay and making sure that there are no dead moments between the more structured puzzles. As a result, the challenge level it is not really high, in some cases linked more to the need to scan the whole scenario in search of objects to break or move to find the globes than to actual puzzles. However, you have to see Down in Bermuda as a game with a quiet and relaxing pace, certainly not a continuous exercise for the brains like other adventure / puzzle like The Witness.


In the meantime, between a pulled lever, a pressed button and some combination of figures to be found, we also witness a cheerful and funny theater of colorful characters that reveal the oddities of the Bermuda Islands, in a style of a funny modern fairy tale that can please both the older than the younger ones.

Down in Bermuda, the review

Comment

Tested version iPad 1.5.6 Digital Delivery Steam, Xbox Store, App Store Resources4Gaming.com

7.0



Readers

SV

Your vote

Down in Bermuda alternates excellent things with filler elements that tend to dilute the gameplay a little too much, supporting everything with a very pleasant graphic characterization that still makes it a relaxing pastime. Some puzzles are well thought out but it is as if they detach themselves clearly from the rest of the game, which in large part is composed of puzzles focused on a contextual interaction that must be discovered practically at random, or almost. Beyond the simplest search for hidden objects in the scenario, one can think that the bizarre mechanisms to be activated are an integral part of the story and as such find meaning in the strange world of Bermuda.

PRO

  • Very pleasant, colorful and nice setting
  • Some puzzles are particularly well thought out
  • Great graphic style
AGAINST
  • Many filler elements of the gameplay dilute the action
  • A little 'not cohesive, even in its quirks
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