Factotum 90 is pure Indie Corner gold. The game was made by a one-man company and released about 5 years ago. It got released on PC, WiiU, PS4, PS Vita and Xbox One. A physical release was made by Limited Run a few years back. Now even more impressive, a Nintendo Switch release has happened.
F90 Walker Control Terminal
In Factotum 90 you are aboard a spaceship that has encountered some trouble. Something has collided with your ship and damages the main control leaving you more or less helpless. You are stuck with only a control terminal at your hands. Luckily you can still access two F90 Walkers from the control terminal. These old looking robots are the only way to save yourselves from inevitable death by lack of air support. Controlling and puzzling your way through 30 levels will eventually be your savior all while discovering more and more about the ship and the mystery of the collision.
You need both
The F90 Walker comes with some handy features including the ability to pick up heavy boxes, reflecting laser beams and interacting with control panels. Using these abilities in the correct way will eventually lead you to the exit of one room and into another challenging room. Now getting one robot towards the exit is impossible without also using the other robot. Working together to get to the exit is mandatory. The problem with old technology like the F90 Walker is that they can’t be operated at the same time. You’ll need to constantly switch between the two robots in order to reach the exit successfully.
Clever design
The control terminal you use in Factotum 90 is cleverly designed with two screens following each robot. Switching from one robot to another makes you switch from one screen to another also. Seeing the view from both robots gives a nice new dimension to what is, in essence, a puzzle game. The bottom of the screen is filled with the interaction you have with someone guiding you whilst giving tips and backstory. The control scheme, which isn’t hard to master, is neatly incorporated on the screen by means of switches. These are handy reminders as to what robot you are controlling at the moment.
Nice challenge
Factotum 90 uses a great concept but it still comes down to the puzzle element. Developer TACS games didn’t disappoint with its level design either. The levels keep on introducing new concepts along the way making each level a bit more intricate than the one before. Some elements like for instance moving platforms get re-used throughout the game but with added new challenges to make things interested. With 30 levels the game doesn’t overstate its welcome either. Making it a short but sweet puzzle game to enjoy.
Shows character
Factotum 90 has a grainy look to it because of the stylistic choices made. Making everything look like it was filmed with a webcam back from 2003 actually fits the scene quite well. Yes, Factotum 90 looks blocky and it’s probably one of the normal cutbacks from making a game on your own. Despite that, the developer made it fit into the story which was a great idea. It really shows character to go for this approach and incorporating its flaws in the whole idea of the game. Despite its look, the controls aren’t blocky at all. Everything was responsive enough to make this a care-free experience.
Conclusion
Factotum 90 took me by surprise. “Never judge a book by its cover” comes to mind when I think back at what I thought at first glance and what I know now. If you like original puzzle games with some platforming involved, Factotum 90 out now on Nintendo Switch is highly recommended.
8/10
tested on Nintendo Switch
