Games worth discovering

Repetition can be a good thing, and that bears repeating - That Level Again Review

3K View2022-10-12

In an era where mobile releases are becoming as massive as their console counterparts, it’s always nice to see a title that can cut through the fluff and get to the bare bones of what makes it fun and exciting. That Level Again does precisely that.

Created by indie developer IamTagir, That Level Again is a puzzler where each level is the same, but the method to win changes. With that in mind, this game is blissfully free of instructions, long tutorials, difficult controls, or multiple game modes. What you have instead is a simple concept, one that succeeds in being as addictive as it is fun.

That Level Again contains ninety-six non-unique levels, each with their own special way of getting to the next stage. The first few levels are examples of how to progress in the game. For example, in the first level, the only text I was given was the phrase “Plain and simple,” and I simply had to hit a red button without touching any spikes.

But by level twenty, the expectations were far more complex. “Save your soul” was my only clue for that one. I mean...what the hell is that supposed to mean?! But for as baffled as the game sometimes left me, I loved it. That Level Again’s sheer creativity in coming up with new variations on the same level kept me invested. The game’s minimalist sound design also did wonders at portraying an ominous atmosphere. Especially in the title screen, it felt like I was in The Twilight Zone. Trapped, as I was, in an endless loop of the same experience, perhaps that feeling was exactly what the developer intended.

That Level Again also sports a Twilight Zone-esque monochrome presentation. It’s all black and white, save for a big red button in the center of the room, and because the levels repeat, you’re not going to see much else. The lack of color didn’t bug me much, though, as it really built on the eerie vibes.

Besides, the real draw of this game is the variety of puzzles. The current version of That Level Again has been extended to ninety-six levels, though progressing through them depends on your ability to piece together the meaning of cryptic clues. Once you get a handle on things, though, you can breeze through in no time. I managed to complete the first thirty levels in under an hour, though admittedly, I cheated and used a few hints to get me through some of the harder ones.

That Level Again also proves generous in its monetization. This was developer IamTagir’s first game, and you can tell that the gaming experience was prioritized over making money. You can play the entire game for free, and you’re only asked to watch ads in exchange for hints. For a one-time payment of $2, you can remove all ads and have access to however many hints you need. A pretty fair deal.

I don’t have many complaints about That Level Again. It’s fun, compelling, and creative enough that it has spawned three sequels. If there is a drawback, it’s in the replay value. Once you finish a level, there’s no real reason to play it again, mainly because you’ll know the answer to the puzzle. Then again, the game has already been extended with extra levels, so who’s to say there won’t be more updates? In a world where getting into something intended as recreation can be overwhelming, it’s nice to see a minimalistic game provide so much entertainment. This is definitely one I’m keeping on my phone.

SCORE: 4 STARS OUT OF 5

PLAY IF YOU LIKE:

• That Level Again 2. If you played any of the sequels in the That Level Again series and enjoyed them, then you should play the first entry. Download and enjoy.

• Puzzle games. That Level Again is a simple game that offers exciting and nuanced puzzles that get you thinking. If you can appreciate the minimalism, you’ll probably have a good time with what the game offers.

💬 Did you enjoy the puzzles in That Level Again? And do you think more mobile games should follow this example and aim for simplicity? Let me know in the comment section!

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