Poly Bridge (video game)
{{short description|2016 puzzle video game by Dry Cactus}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Poly Bridge
| image = Poly Bridge cover art.jpg
| engine = Unity
| developer = Dry Cactus
| publisher = Dry Cactus
| series = Poly Bridge
| composer = Adrian Talens[https://adriantalens.bandcamp.com/album/poly-bridge-original-soundtrack Poly Bridge Original Soundtrack]
| platforms = {{flatlist|
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|July 12, 2016}}|Linux, OS X, Windows|July 12, 2016|iOS|June 13, 2017|Nintendo Switch|December 14, 2017|Android|March 15, 2018}}
| genre = Simulation, puzzle
|modes=Single-player
}}
Poly Bridge is a bridge-building simulation-puzzle game, developed by New Zealand–based indie studio Dry Cactus with music by Canadian composer Adrian Talens, where players build bridges for vehicles to cross. Poly Bridge was released for Microsoft Windows on July 12, 2016, iOS on June 13, 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/poly-bridge/id1197552569|title=Poly Bridge on the App Store|website=App Store|date=November 21, 2017 |language=en|access-date=December 18, 2017}} Steel, wood, rope, and cable can be combined and used to strengthen a designed bridge and "hydraulics" are used to move pieces of the bridge. The game is made more difficult with the availability of different building materials of different prices. A sequel to the game titled Poly Bridge 2 was released on May 28, 2020 for Windows, macOS, and Linux.{{cite news |title= Poly Bridge 2 is coming! |url= https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/367450/view/2108188492720732694 |accessdate= April 1, 2024 |work= Steam|date=March 27, 2020}}
Gameplay
The objective of the game is to build bridges to allow vehicles to cross them.{{cite web|website=PCGamesN|url= https://www.pcgamesn.com/poly-bridge/poly-bridge-early-access-review |title=Poly Bridge Early Access review|last=Brown|first=Fraser|date=July 27, 2015 |accessdate=June 12, 2019}} That is done via 2D bridge model by creating a blueprint, and working with the materials which are given at use.{{cite web|website=Hardcore Gamer|url= https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/07/07/review-poly-bridge/215737/ |title=Review: Poly Bridge|last=LeClair|first=Kyle|date=July 7, 2016 |accessdate=June 12, 2019}} Poly Bridge has a campaign mode with a series of scenarios that require different things to accomplish and introduce certain geographic features.{{cite web|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|url= https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/04/12/poly-bridge-early-access-2/ |title=Premature Evaluation: Poly Bridge|last=Zacny|first=Rob|date=April 12, 2016 |accessdate=June 12, 2019}} In each level (more than 100 overall{{cite web|website=Vice|url= https://www.vice.com/en/article/building-bridges-is-hard-a-story-in-5-gifs/ |title=Building Bridges Is Hard, a Story in 5 GIFs|last=Maiberg|first=Emanuel|date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 12, 2019}}), there are two requirements: the building cost must come in under budget and the bridge has to be strong enough for a specific number of cars.{{cite web|website=USA Today|url=https://www.thespectrum.com/story/entertainment/2016/06/23/poly-bridge-engineering-physics-game-enjoy/86248574/ |title=Poly Bridge an engineering, physics game to enjoy|last=Snow|first=Nathan|date=June 23, 2016 |accessdate=June 12, 2019}} There is also a sandbox mode that allows free building without restrictions, where the parameters can be set for creation.{{cite web|website=Nintendo World Report|url= http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/46055/poly-bridge-switch-review |title=Poly Bridge (Switch) Review|last=Gibson|first=Casey|date=December 20, 2017 |accessdate=June 12, 2019}} There is a variety of vehicles, ranging from motorcycles (fast and light) to dump trucks and cranes (slow and heavy).{{cite web|website=Gamezebo|url=https://www.gamezebo.com/2017/10/19/poly-bridge-tips-cheats-strategies/|title=Poly Bridge Tips and Strategies|last=Rich|first=Rob|date=October 19, 2017|accessdate=June 12, 2019|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603073655/https://www.gamezebo.com/2017/10/19/poly-bridge-tips-cheats-strategies/|url-status=dead}} Since every vehicle has a different body and weight, that means longer cars may not be able to drive up steep slopes and the structure might need to adapt to the situation.{{cite web|website=Nintendo Life|url= http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/poly_bridge |title=Poly Bridge Review (Switch eShop)|last=Mason|first=Matthew|date=December 14, 2017 |accessdate=June 12, 2019}} The game also features obstacles such as jumps and boats, forcing the player to design their bridge creatively.{{cite magazine|magazine=Game Informer|url= https://www.gameinformer.com/games/poly_bridge/b/pc/archive/2016/08/02/poly-bridge-game-informer-review.aspx |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160805173858/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/poly_bridge/b/pc/archive/2016/08/02/poly-bridge-game-informer-review.aspx |url-status= live |archive-date= August 5, 2016 |title=Poly Bridge-Troubled Bridge Over Water|last=Reeves|first=Ben|date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2019}} A badly built bridge will collapse under the weight of a crossing vehicle. The game includes a GIF generator, allowing players to capture certain moments while playing and share them online.{{cite web|website=Red Bull|url= https://www.redbull.com/nz-en/poly-bridge-interview-constructing-a-viral-hit |title=How Poly Bridge is constructing a viral hit|last=Cook|first=Adam|date=August 24, 2015 |accessdate=June 12, 2019}}
Reception
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Poly Bridge received mixed to positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the game holds a score of 73/100 for the Windows version based on 7 reviews.{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/poly-bridge/ |title=Poly Bridge Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 25, 2025}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://polybridge.drycactus.com}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Construction and management simulation games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Universal Windows Platform apps
Category:Video games developed in New Zealand
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