4 
0 Beta MAX is an upcoming first person puzzle platformer, Developed by Nexcide and published by The Game Publisher. I got a chance to play through the game prior to its release on the 22nd November 2024. There is a small demo available now should you wish to try it out before then.
BE KIND – RELAX AND UNWIND
I’m a big fan of these kind of puzzle games with interesting mechanics. This game is challenging enough to have you scratching your head and thinking abstractly to complete levels. This game is a spiritual successor to games such as Portal, Viewfinder, The Talos Principal among others. Are you are fan of this kind of games? If so, leave a comment below with your favourites!
Gameplay
In Beta MAX you play as a teenage boy called Max. The game starts in Max’s bedroom and judging by its décor, it’s safe to assume we’re living in the early 80s. Movie posters from that era adorn the walls. An Atari-like console sits on a shelf with the most complex game being pong no doubt. In painstaking detail, the developers have used the environment to shape the story and world we find ourselves in.
Max, being the radical rebel he is, doesn’t pay any attention to his mother shouting up asking if he’s done his chores yet. He’s more interested in something way more interesting. He has a VHS tape on his mind, one which has the mysterious words “Do NOT Play” written on it. So of course he does the exact opposite and puts the tape in his player. Max is then teleported into a neon-lined, vibrant and eye-catching retro world. Chores are the least of his worries as he is immediately faced with challenges, which require some platforming and abstract problem-solving.
Puzzle Time
In this new world Max still holds the remote he used back in his bedroom. Luckily, the remote helps us navigate. The first part of the new areas are to help players familiarise themselves with the controls and the remote control. A little time passed before I was confident enough to run around the levels like my younger self, hyper on a sugar rush. As I advanced new mechanics were introduced. For example, opening doors using the remote and carrying blocks to weigh down pressure pads. Standard puzzle solving so far, but things were about to get much more complicated.
Soon enough pink items such as gates, cubes and areas were added, which were unaffected by the time manipulation powers given me by the remote. These puzzles are where the game comes into its own. For example, the first encounter with this was a pink block, which needed to be placed on a pressure pad. A laser grid was activated, making it impossible to go the way you were supposed to. What I soon discovered, although not nearly quick enough, was the power of the rewind button. Pressing rewind to leave the box on the pad would then allow you to go back the way you came, where you find a platform allowing you to proceed. A difficult challenge and equally difficult to describe. Very “time-wimey”. I loved it! The puzzles got more complex with each progression, and I spent longer and longer working them out.
Graphics & Audio
The retro look and feel is strong with this game. Max’s room at the start of Beta Max has had meticulous time spent in adding items and themes from the early 80s. A vintage Atari sits on a shelf, the TV and video recorder look authentic. There are parodies of movies from that time and more on the walls. As you enter the main game itself, neon and palm trees imported directly from early 80s California adorn the scenery. Lens flares and effects bring the game’s look up-to-date, and it is amazing to look at as you zip through each level.
The game has a good helping of synth-wave tunes to fit the retro look and feel of the game. I’m a big fan of the synth-wave genre, often putting it on when concentrating on a project. The sound effects are just as retro-sci fi as you get from its zaps and laser sounds. No voice acting or narration to busy up the game, which was fine by me when I was knee-deep in time manipulation puzzle galore.
Longevity
I will certainly be returning to this game to carry on my adventure and will no doubt spent a lot more time in it. A good amount of that time will be spent just trying to figure out the increasingly difficult puzzles I’m sure! During my playthrough in order to write this review, I must have spent half an hour trying different methods and routes in various places. However, when that solution comes to you, there’s a feeling of accomplishment which drives you on through the game.
For any speed running fans I have some good news too. Beta MAX does also have a timed element. Just the incentive to revisit levels and beat your own high score!
Final Thoughts
You’d be forgiven for thinking this game looks pretty simple on first look. Especially as it leans so heavily on the much-used neon retro graphics style. However, as you progress through the game you will discover the puzzles could give the challenging ones from games such as Portal a run for their money. And maybe even surpass them! If you love your fourth-dimension, out of the box challenging puzzle platformers, give this game a go. I loved every minute playing this one!
I award Beta MAX the prestigious Thumb Culture Gold Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
If you enjoyed this review, why not check out my previous articles here
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