There is no Game: Wrong Dimension, la non recensione (PC)

If technically there isn't a game how can you write a review? Let's try to figure it out together.

Reader, give me a hand and scroll this page up.

What would you do if there was no game?

The title proposed by Draw me to Pixel is presented as a non-game so much so that, just as the title suggests, a voiceover tells us to go away, leading us to click on a button that closes the program.

Back for a second round, the rumor turns out to be the (non) game itself that continues to not fully appreciate our presence on the main screen. Now let's talk clearly, we gamers are terstardi to the core, we do not let ourselves be commanded by the first recorded voice that breaks the fourth wall, and it is in these cases that we put into practice the greatest skill acquired in years of playing: Click everywhere!

Our OCD itself sets in motion a series of events that will reveal the true identity of the (non) game. There is no game is actually an ironic point and click adventure that will leverage our desire to play that will lead us to literally dismantle the very structure of the (non) game in order to find meaning in the proposed story. But taking things apart and clicking everywhere has consequences as it will free Mr. Glitch, a world-conquering programming error, which will transport us and the (non) game to other dimensions.

For a handful of quotes

The first dimension proposed will be that of Sherlock Holmes, a graphic adventure in the style of Monkey Island / Day of the Tentacle in which we will help the famous investigative duo while we will look for a way to return home. During this level we will be offered riddles and puzzles typical of the genre with a little twist by managing a cathode ray tube television that will even allow us to look behind the scenes of the level.

The second dimension proposed is the parody of the typical Legend of Zelda-style RPG (so much so that it is called Legend of the Secret), in this world we will naturally have to help the little hero to save the princess. To do this, however, the formula will not change and we will have to devise several ways to use the interface to our advantage. Mr. Glitch, however, will not stand by and will transform Legend of the Secret into a Free 2 Play full of money grinding, even in this case our wit will be the main weapon to move forward.

Of course, nothing prevents you from using the hints provided by the game, but the "Buuuh!" what comes out will make you feel pretty stupid.

During our journey the (non) game will open up more with us, telling us its story and how it was abandoned by its developer, while there will be many references to films, TV series and above all to the most famous titles of the indie scene such as Goat Simulator, Undertale and Paper Please just to name a few.

Short but intense

The game does not last very long (about 5 hours) but offers a series of really well-studied puzzles that place the so-called “Thinking outside the box” as the real keystone of the entire title.

The artistic sector is a joy for both the eyes and the ears, a graphic that ranges between different styles of pixel art in order to provide the best visuals according to the situations and music perfectly adapted to follow the progress of the scenes.

The only flaw I could find in this game is the difficulty that some players may find in hitting a significant language barrier. The game does not have support in our language, but trust me when I tell you that some puzzles and some jokes are untranslatable and in fact I don't know how it is in the other supported languages. So let's say that to be truly enjoyed the title requires a certain knowledge of the English language.

In conclusion:

There is no game: Wrong Dimension is a true love letter to the world of Indie games, ironically underlining some critical aspects of this world such as budget, deadlines and working conditions. The proposed paradox will take us on a journey in which despite there being a game it will make us play many games without even realizing it like the old 9999 in 1 cassettes. The history and presentations of the different situations maintain a constant and pressing pace that will not make you. detach from the screen so easily. If you are a meta game lover you cannot miss it.