The gameplay hook of this is remarkably simple but utterly brilliant. You have 2D sprites of a left hand and a right hand onscreen, and you can use them to grab edges and handholds in the environment independently of each other, each hand having its own stamina represented in the hand turning red. - ThreadSky

caseyexplosion.bsky.social • 12 days ago

The gameplay hook of this is remarkably simple but utterly brilliant. You have 2D sprites of a left hand and a right hand onscreen, and you can use them to grab edges and handholds in the environment independently of each other, each hand having its own stamina represented in the hand turning red.

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caseyexplosion.bsky.social•12 days ago

If you're holding on for too long, the hand starts to shake and gooes completely red before you lose your grip. Both hands run out of stamina? You fall. It's simple, clear to read, and very intuitive, but more importantly, an extremely engaging and tense climbing mechanic. Tremendous foundation.

caseyexplosion.bsky.social•12 days ago

The other thing the game really has going for it is the vibes, there's shades of Half Life and Portal here, but creepier. The dilapidated facility we're escaping being a kind of Black Mesa or Aperture style one, and a very sinister robotic voice makes disconcerting announcements as we climb further.

blastgoggles.bsky.social•12 days ago

I live for all the announcements, there's just something so perfectly haunting and informative about them.

caseyexplosion.bsky.social•12 days ago

It's a very stressful, anxiety-inducing game, but I am finding it incredibly fun. It never really feels unfair, there's a number of usable items that you can place on some surfaces to help you climb further, and if you fall you can quickly grab a ledge or anything on your way down and save yourself.

caseyexplosion.bsky.social•12 days ago

I liked that a lot about it, whenever I screwed up (and I did, a *LOT*) it never felt like it was the game's fault, it felt like it was completely on me. A jump I fudged, or a grab I missed, it didn't feel overly punishing and that I was always in control.

caseyexplosion.bsky.social•12 days ago

Anyway, that's what I think of White Knuckle! It's currently in Early Access and there is a demo so please try that out if this sounds at all interesting to you.

And of course, if you're not doing so already, follow my curator page for more recommendations:

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28340174-Casey-Explosion/

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