Been a while since my last game review, but I was able to nab a review copy of Factotum 90 for both Playstation 4 & Playstation Vita. After the jump, let's dive into this Adventuring Puzzler.
Factotum 90 is a Puzzle-based Adventure game made by TACS Games going through 30 levels of problems that need to be solved. The story begins as the spaceship "RV Benevolent Hypocube VII" gets rocked by some space rocks and ends up cutting out the life support system. It's up to you, guided by the engineer Tacs, to control two walker control terminals (b.n.nol .a & b.n.brb .b) as you go deeper into the ship and get the ship running again. Doing so requires you to solve many puzzles including pressure switch, light beam, & explosion like puzzles. Originally released on Nintendo Wii U in August 2015 as just "Factotum", Factotum 90 boasts high resolution textures, physically based shading, new lighting, special effects, achievements, a brand new soundtrack and a new user interface. As well as optimization as a whole.
One thing that immediately comes to mind when playing the game is it's possible influences in games like Portal or The Talos Principle or the Antichamber. Games that are solely based on tackling a problem in a specific manner but having the freedom of movement to do so. The puzzles themselves are very clever and do take some time to figure out. There was many of a time in my playthrough where I reached the end of a level with one terminal and realized I had forgotten to bring over the other. Each level also has a collectable as a way to challenge yourself of figuring the entire puzzle out.
On the Playstation 4 the game is well made with it's budget price in mind. Everything has a nice finish and the sound is enjoyably atmospheric. The voice of Tacs by a Mr. Peter Willington (Who you can find on Twitter @xeroxeroxero) is a well done performance and keeps you in context with the world presented. Everything runs smooth and efficient.
On the Playstation Vita however the game is quite compromised. There are frequent lag spikes when loading between levels, the resolution on everything took a major compression hit, the screen where Tacs is located is also missing effects, and the movement physics are completely different. In particular in Level 24 when using a teleportation gate you have to be very very careful when exiting out or you can easily fall off the edge. Possible oversight or a lack of QA, either way it marks badly for the Vita version. (Edit: I've been informed that there will be a patch that fixes the teleportation gate issue as well as other bug fixes. I look forward to it.)
Overall though Factotum 90 is a nice afternoon romp that unfortunately doesn't have any replayability beyond the tokens and achievements. It's certainly priced accordingly at $6 for Digital, and with it being a cross-purchase deal you can get both the PS4 & Vita versions for 1 price. However I can only recommend playing the PS4 version of the two.
TACS Games has been making games since 2012 releasing titles on mobile platforms with titles like Console Saga, Radiant Flux, Super Tank Poker and Shuttle Quest! Now expanding to home consoles, TACS Games has also released Quadcopter Pilot Challenge, Octocopter: Super Sub Squid Esacpe, and of course the titular title of this review Factotum 90. You can follow TACS Games on their website TACSGames.com, onTwitter @tacsgames, or on Facebook. As well as the head developer of TACS Game Mr. Thomas Hopper on Twitter @thos_thom.
If you wish to purchase Factotum 90 you can do so at these locations
Playstation 4 & Vita: Available on the Playstation Store September 19th, 2017
Xbox One: On the Microsoft Store or on your Xbox One
Steam: On the Steam Store or Steam Machine
Humble Store: Available at a $1 higher price than on Steam
Wii U: Available on as the regular Factotum on the eShop
Limited Run: Coming Soon in physical release!
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