They keep getting better!
Your puzzle solving and communication skills will be put to the test. Control mysterious gadgets and work your way through a two-player online escape experience. Collect items and share them with your teammate using the new items transfer feature. Help each other discover the truth of an enigmatic device and find out how the many items and controls you find can assist you. Use your new found skills to finally fix what was broken and escape the machine! Using two separate devices, play with a friend on the couch, or even across the globe on the phone or video chat!
Enchambered produce some of the best online games that we have played in the past year, so every time they announce a new release we get excited.
The Alone Together series currently consists of three games, Alone Together, Together Apart, and now Together At Heart. Unlike most online games these are really designed to be played as a team of two (but technically you could play it with more).
We were actually supposed to play Together at Heart before Valentine’s Day but life got in the way and it took us a number of weeks to finally find time. But that’s ok, the Enchambered games shouldn’t be rushed, they should be savoured like a fine wine. So set aside some time, get cosy, and settle down for what is sure to be a good time.
CONCEPT/EXECUTION
When you load up the site to play Together at Heart, the first thing you’ll have to do is to make a decision. You need to decide who will be player one (The Tinkerer) and who will be played two (The Controller). For our game, I was player one and Liz was player two.
This game is quite simple in its setup but the way it’s put together takes it to the next level, it’s really rather clever. The two players are in completely separate areas but using nothing but your communication you find a way to progress to complete your joint goal.
This game is much like the others, but there is one cool feature that they’ve added, the ability to teleport items you find to your teammate. I’d like to have been able to use it more, but it was still a great addition to the game.
PUZZLES
If you bring your communication A-game then you’ll have no problems in this game. Every puzzle made sense, signposting was good, and completing each puzzle was extremely satisfying. When you start, there’s a lot to take in and despite there being a flow to the game, you can tackle things in different orders.
That’s not to say we didn’t have issues though, however those issues were completely our own Liz’s. One tip: make sure your teammate (and you) investigates everything on their side and notices when something changes.
Aside from communication you’ll find plenty of observational puzzles, spatial relation puzzles, pattern recognition and some very simple maths. Oh and of course, figuring out what you can and can’t interact with will be key.
CLUE SYSTEM
Pretty much the only downside we found with the earlier Alone Together games was the clue system (although it was drastically improved in the second). Together at Heart has a detailed walk through that you can load up if you get stuck.
The walk through is quite granular so you can go to the section you’re stuck on and see how to get moving again, if the clues still don’t help you then they also include the solution. One way or another, you are destined to succeed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We’ve enjoyed all the Alone Together games but this was our favourite, and possibly the most challenging. Play it as a team of two, or maybe four, and you’ll have a great experience.
Enchambered, keep doing what you’re doing!
TOOLS REQUIRED
- Internet Connection
- Some way to communicate – Zoom/Phone
- Notepad/Pen may assist in places
Final Rating:
Puzzles | |
Concept/Execution | |
Clue System | |
Value for Money | |
Enjoyment |
Team: 2 players
Time Taken: 1hr 12min
Website: https://www.enchambered.com
*Disclaimer: we weren’t charged for this experience, but this has not influenced our review.
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