1 
0 When you get asked if you want to check out an upcoming 2.5D being developed by a former Disney Imagineer, I mean you have to say yes right? That’s exactly what happened with Ari Buktu and the Anytime Elevator when an opportunity to check out it’s Steam Next Fest demo early came across my desk.
A Magical Ride
Developed by Adventure Works, with one of the lead designers of the Millenium Falcon ride bringing cinematic moments, this 5 person team are trying to bring a fully voice-acted game that screams of nostalgia straight to you. But how are they doing so far? Lets find out!
Gameplay
Before we get into it, I want to make it really clear this is simply a preview of Ari Buktu and the Anytime Elevator. A wonderful fun preview nonetheless. This preview demo was purely the introduction to the game. A brief tutorial level if you wish. In the full game, there will be 13 different levels across 6 environments all inspired by classic platformers.
So what is Ari Buktu and the Anytime Elevator all about? A physics teacher called Professor Raventhorpe builds a time-travelling elevator to retrieve some priceless treasure. All to impress a history teacher. Then Ari stumbles into the professor’s plan and thus an adventure across time ensues.
Through the demo, you get to experience the platforming element and it was divine. The game has such a simplistic control scheme yet with a few difficult areas to link different controls together. Game items are useful and feel genuinely added to the game. For example the grappling hook. This in particular comes in handy to bridge some larger gaps and feels a natural feature amongst the platforming.
As you play throughout the levels, you are required to solve puzzles to continue progress. These include swinging on the grappling hook, dropping from a great height and pushing blocks onto buttons. It’s all very similar yet somehow feels new.
Graphics & Audio
Starting the preview you are immediately greeted with the cartoon, almost claymation-type graphics. With the game being a 2.5D style visual extravaganza, you can rest assured that the environments are incredibly designed.
Ari Buktu and the Anytime Elevator will be fully voice-acted upon its release. This is one of the big selling points of the game. With Joe Gaudet voicing Ari Buktu and Ray O’Hare lending his pipes to Professor Raventhorpe.
The game features an incredibly musical score that I personally can’t wait to experience more of. Even just on the first level, the sense of grandeur was incredible.
Longevity
The demo was approximately 45 minutes long with the advertised full game clocking in at around 4 hours. Even at 45 minutes, I fell in love with this game. So much so I will be replaying this demo. I’m super excited to see how this story evolves and pushes the boundaries of platformers in the current times.
Final Thoughts
There is no way around that the preview of Ari Buktu and the Anytime Elevator was brief. However, I have experienced a taste of an incredible platformer. It’s been so hard to not spoilt too much of this game. It’s an absolute joy to play, even as a small demo. I am not exaggerating when I say I cannot wait to play more of it.
If you want to play Ari Buktu and the Anytime Elevator yourself, go to the Steam page here and add it to your wishlist. The demo will be released on the 10th of October.
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this preview.
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