Unbound: Worlds Apart
{{Short description|2021 puzzle-platform video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Unbound: Worlds Apart
| image = Unbound Worlds Apart cover art.jpg
| developer = Alien Pixel Studios
| publisher = Alien Pixel Studios
Digerati Distribution
| designer = Sergiu Crăițoiu
| programmer = Sergiu Crăițoiu
Andrei Simion
| artist = Olga Ciob
| writer = Dave Cook
| composer = Alexey Nechaev
| engine = Unreal Engine 4
| platforms = {{ubl|Microsoft Windows|macOS|Linux|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|Nintendo Switch}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{Nobold|July 28, 2021}}|Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch|July 28, 2021|PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5|February 9, 2022|Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S|February 11, 2022}}
| genre = Puzzle-platform
| modes = Single-player
}}
Unbound: Worlds Apart is a puzzle-platform game developed and published by Alien Pixel Studios. The game was released for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch on July 28, 2021. Digerati Distribution published the PlayStation and Xbox versions of the game. The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions were released on February 9, 2022, later releasing on February 11 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Physical copies of the PlayStation versions will be released by Perp Games.
The game follows Soli, a mage with the ability to open portals into alternate realities. Portals have different abilities; some can manipulate time, invert gravity, or change Soli himself. The player is tasked with collecting crystals that open the gates to the dark world. The game's portal mechanics were inspired by the music video of the Architects' song "Gone with the Wind", from their 2016 album All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us. Development was funded through a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $41,000 by June 6, 2019.
Unbound: Worlds Apart received generally favorable reviews, with praise for the game's portal mechanics and art style.
Gameplay
File:Unbound_Worlds_Apart_time_stop_portal.gif
Unbound: Worlds Apart is a puzzle-platforming game taking place in the Sea of Reality, which connects all of the worlds in the game's universe. The player controls Soli, a mage with the ability to open portals into alternate realities.{{Cite web |last=Borthwick |first=Ben |date=19 November 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart brings portal platforming to Xbox and PlayStation in February 2022 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/unbound-worlds-apart-brings-portal-platforming-to-xbox-and-playstation-in-february-2022/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=VideoGamer.com |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517011859/https://www.videogamer.com/news/unbound-worlds-apart-brings-portal-platforming-to-xbox-and-playstation-in-february-2022/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Blue |first=Rosario |date=28 February 2021 |title=The most exciting indie PC games in development right now |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/the-most-exciting-indie-pc-games-in-development-right-now |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=TechRadar |language=en |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517011859/https://www.techradar.com/news/the-most-exciting-indie-pc-games-in-development-right-now |url-status=live }} The player is tasked with collecting crystals that open the gates to the dark world. Soli can only be hit once, dying and respawning at the most recent checkpoint.
Portals that Soli creates manifest in a circle around him.{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=James |date=28 July 2021 |title=Exploiting Different Dimensions in Unbound: World Apart Launch Trailer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/videos/exploiting-the-differences-between-dimensions-in-unbound-world-apart-launch-trailer/408046/ |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611113843/https://hardcoregamer.com/videos/exploiting-the-differences-between-dimensions-in-unbound-world-apart-launch-trailer/408046/ |url-status=live }} There are ten portals in the game, each with its own abilities. Only the environment within a portal's area is affected; the rest remains unchanged. Portals can manipulate time, invert gravity, or change Soli himself.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/unbound_worlds_apart |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Nintendo Life |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516130353/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/unbound_worlds_apart |url-status=live }} Only one portal can be used at a time, and the use of some portals can be blocked by certain gates.{{Cite web |last=Quick |first=Will |date=29 July 2021 |title=A Beginner's Guide To Unbound: Worlds Apart |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/guides/beginners-guide-to-unbound-worlds-apart |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=TechRaptor |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531041835/https://techraptor.net/gaming/guides/beginners-guide-to-unbound-worlds-apart |url-status=live }} Portals can also affect the game's creatures, as some can become hostile if they are caught inside of them. As Soli progresses through the game, he will acquire new abilities, including an additional mid-air jump and a quick dash. These abilities enable the player to find new secrets or locations in previously explored areas. Floating cairns are used to fast travel through the game's world; they activate when Soli runs through them.
Throughout the game, the player encounters non-player characters (NPCs) who provide information about the game's lore. Soli can also find NPCs known as "lost villagers". Lost villagers can be found throughout the world, and provide information about the game's story if they are rescued. If enough lost villagers are rescued, harder levels in the game are unlocked.
Plot
Unbound begins in Rhu, a village located in the world of Vaiya, just before the annual celebration of The Guardian.{{Cite web |title=PressKit – Unbound – Worlds Apart |url=https://unboundthegame.com/presskit/ |access-date=24 May 2022 |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529105114/https://unboundthegame.com/presskit/ |url-status=live }} Rhu is built around a stone gate that contains a crystal suspended inside of it. Soli involuntarily creates a portal to an alternate realm, from which a creature jumps out. Soli then follows the animal outside of the village. When the ceremony starts, the crystal breaks and a portal opens. Vaiya is invaded by the Demon King, and Rhu is destroyed. Soli learns of his village's destruction upon his return. He falls into a cavern while fleeing from a demon. Soli picks up a crystal in the cavern and gains the ability to open portals at will.
Development and release
Unbound: Worlds Apart was developed by Romanian indie studio Alien Pixel Studios. The game's concept was created in 2016 as a 3D project that used Unreal Engine. The gameplay revolved around players using a magical torch that affects the environment. The project later transitioned from 3D to 2D, and the team started to look for another gameplay mechanic that was similar to the torch.{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=25 July 2021 |title=Interview: Unbound: Worlds Apart Game Designer Sergiu Craitou |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/interview-unbound-worlds-apart-game-designer-sergiu-craitou/ |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516130352/https://bleedingcool.com/games/interview-unbound-worlds-apart-game-designer-sergiu-craitou/ |url-status=live }} The game's portal mechanics were inspired by the music video of the Architects' song "Gone with the Wind", from their 2016 album All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us. Developer Sergiu Crăițoiu was watching the video when he noticed a portal in the background, giving him the idea to use it as a gameplay mechanic.
In July 2018, the team decided to create a Kickstarter campaign. They planned to launch the campaign in October, but did not due to a lack of experience with the site.{{Cite web |last=Craitoiu |first=Sergiu |date=4 September 2019 |title=Kickstarter adventures in 2019 based on our game, Unbound: Worlds Apart |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/kickstarter-adventures-in-2019-based-on-our-game-unbound-worlds-apart |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=Gamasutra |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516204247/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/kickstarter-adventures-in-2019-based-on-our-game-unbound-worlds-apart |url-status=live }} They looked at the campaigns of other games within the puzzle-platformer genre and got in contact with other developers, asking them about their experience with the site. The campaign's launch was delayed to February 2019, with Crăițoiu citing multiple reasons, including the size of their community, a lack of a trailer, and a lack of a vertical slice demo. Unbound: Worlds Apart was featured at EGX 2018, and was playable during the event.{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=20 September 2018 |title=Here's a full list of the 265+ games playable at EGX this week |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-a-full-list-of-the-265-games-playable-at-egx-this-week |access-date=23 May 2022 |website=Eurogamer |language=en-gb |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603063011/https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-a-full-list-of-the-265-games-playable-at-egx-this-week |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=20 September 2018 |title=EGX 2018 has tons of playable games at the show - here's the list |url=https://www.vg247.com/egx-2018-playable-games-list |access-date=23 May 2022 |website=VG247 |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604002059/https://www.vg247.com/egx-2018-playable-games-list |url-status=live }}
Alien Pixel Studios released a Kickstarter trailer for the game on April 2, 2019, with the campaign planned to start on May 7.{{Cite web |last=Tarason |first=Dominic |date=2 April 2019 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart warps from frying pan to fire |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/unbound-worlds-apart-warps-from-frying-pan-to-fire |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517011859/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/unbound-worlds-apart-warps-from-frying-pan-to-fire |url-status=live }} On May 7, 2019, the team launched the campaign, seeking $25,000 to fund the game's development.{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=7 May 2019 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart is a pretty puzzle platformer, and you can try a demo today |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/unbound-worlds-apart-is-a-pretty-puzzle-platformer-and-you-can-try-a-demo-today/ |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516130352/https://www.pcgamer.com/unbound-worlds-apart-is-a-pretty-puzzle-platformer-and-you-can-try-a-demo-today/ |url-status=live }} It came with a free demo that was available to those who signed up.{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=James |date=7 May 2019 |title=Walk In Two Worlds in Unbound: Worlds Apart Kickstarter Demo |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/walk-in-two-worlds-in-unbound-worlds-apart-kickstarter-demo/330591/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531041834/https://hardcoregamer.com/news/walk-in-two-worlds-in-unbound-worlds-apart-kickstarter-demo/330591/ |url-status=live }} The campaign was successful, with over $41,000 raised by the campaign's end on June 6.{{Cite web |last=Craddock |first=Ryan |date=14 June 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart Is A "World-Hopping" Metroidvania Coming To Switch Next Month |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/06/unbound_worlds_apart_is_a_world-hopping_metroidvania_coming_to_switch_next_month |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=Nintendo Life |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516130352/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/06/unbound_worlds_apart_is_a_world-hopping_metroidvania_coming_to_switch_next_month |url-status=live }} Following the success of the Kickstarter campaign, the team quit their jobs to work on the game full time.{{Cite web |date=10 November 2020 |title=Making it in Unreal: how puzzling portals opened up opportunities for Unbound: Worlds Apart |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/unbound-worlds-apart/making-it-in-unreal-unbound-worlds-apart |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=PCGamesN |archive-date=14 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614215229/https://www.pcgamesn.com/unbound-worlds-apart/making-it-in-unreal-unbound-worlds-apart |url-status=live }} Alien Pixel Studios was also a recipient of an Unreal Dev Grant, which helped cover some of the financial costs of development. In 2020, Unbound: Worlds Apart was featured at GamesRadar
Unbound: Worlds Apart
Unbound: Worlds Apart was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch on July 28, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=12 June 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart launches July 28 for Switch and PC, later in 2021 for PlayStation and Xbox |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/unbound-worlds-apart-launches-july-28-for-switch-and-pc-later-in-2021-for-playstation-and-xbox |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=Gematsu |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516130354/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/unbound-worlds-apart-launches-july-28-for-switch-and-pc-later-in-2021-for-playstation-and-xbox |url-status=live }} Video game publisher Digerati Distribution published the PlayStation and Xbox versions of the game. The release dates for the ports were announced in November 2021.{{cite web |last1=Sheehan |first1=Gavin |date=19 November 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart Receives Console Release Dates |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/unbound-worlds-apart-receives-console-release-dates/ |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120122221/https://bleedingcool.com/games/unbound-worlds-apart-receives-console-release-dates/ |url-status=live }} The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions were released on February 9, 2022, and later released on February 11 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Major |date=11 February 2022 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X/S |url=https://majornelson.com/2022/02/10/unbound-worlds-apart-is-now-available-for-xbox-one-and-xbox-series-xs/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Xbox's Major Nelson |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518225415/https://majornelson.com/2022/02/10/unbound-worlds-apart-is-now-available-for-xbox-one-and-xbox-series-xs/ |url-status=live }} Perp Games will publish the physical copies of the game for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=18 November 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart launches February 9, 2022 for PS5 and PS4, February 11 for Xbox Series and Xbox One |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/11/unbound-worlds-apart-launches-february-9-2022-for-ps5-and-ps4-february-11-for-xbox-series-and-xbox-one |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=Gematsu |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531030924/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/11/unbound-worlds-apart-launches-february-9-2022-for-ps5-and-ps4-february-11-for-xbox-series-and-xbox-one |url-status=live }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| title = Reception
| MC = PC: 78/100{{efn|Score based on 13 reviews.}}{{Cite web |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/unbound-worlds-apart/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=6 May 2022 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531112455/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/unbound-worlds-apart |url-status=live }}
NS: 78/100{{efn|Score based on 12 reviews.}}{{Cite web |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart for Switch Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/unbound-worlds-apart/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |access-date=6 May 2022 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417162344/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/unbound-worlds-apart |url-status=live }}
| AdvGamers = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web |last=Aukamp |first=Matt |date=10 December 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart review |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/unbound-worlds-apart |access-date=14 May 2022 |website=Adventure Gamers |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530101553/https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/unbound-worlds-apart |url-status=live }}
| NLife = {{Rating|8|10}}{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=1 August 2021 |title=Mini Review: Unbound: Worlds Apart - All The Portals You Need |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/unbound_worlds_apart |access-date=14 May 2022 |website=Nintendo Life |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516091411/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/unbound_worlds_apart |url-status=live }}
| SN = 8/10{{Cite web |last=Erskine |first=Donovan |date=4 August 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart review: You get the best of both |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/125970/unbound-worlds-apart-review-you-get-the-best-of-both |access-date=14 May 2022 |website=Shacknews |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516130352/https://www.shacknews.com/article/125970/unbound-worlds-apart-review-you-get-the-best-of-both |url-status=live }}
| rev1 = Screen Rant
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Keenum |first=Ryan |date=28 July 2021 |title=Unbound: Worlds Apart Review: Fantastic Art, Brutal Platforming and Deadly Worlds |url=https://screenrant.com/unbound-worlds-apart-game-review/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517203754/https://screenrant.com/unbound-worlds-apart-game-review/ |url-status=live }}
}}
Unbound: Worlds Apart received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator website Metacritic.
Matt Aukamp from Adventure Gamers rated the game 4/5 stars, praising the game's portal mechanic as "innovative". He also liked the game's hand-drawn art style, soundtrack, and gameplay. However, Aukamp felt that the story was underdeveloped and "not very engaging". Donovan Erskine from Shacknews agreed, describing the story as "generic", but praised the game's hand-drawn art style, calling it "gorgeous". Erskine felt that the portal mechanics made the puzzles creative, and wrote that the platforming was "challenging" and "inventive". Nintendo Life
Ryan Keenum from Screen Rant rated the game 4.5/5 stars, strongly commending the gameplay mechanics, art style, and narrative, writing that they were all "fantastic". He compared the game's difficulty to that of Ori and the Blind Forest, and the puzzles to those of Limbo. Keenum recommended the game for fans of the puzzle-platforming genre or a "gorgeous" narrative.
= Nominations =
Unbound: Worlds Apart was nominated for the Audio category at CEEGA 2021, but lost to Cyberpunk 2077.{{Cite web |title=CEEGA - Central & Eastern European Game Awards |url=https://ceega.eu/ |access-date=23 May 2022 |website=ceega.eu |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304090026/https://ceega.eu/ |url-status=live }} The game was nominated for Best Concept at Adventure Gamers
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Association ! Award ! Category ! Result ! Ref |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| Best Concept | Games | {{nominated}} |
| Central & Eastern European Game Awards
| Audio | Games |{{nominated}} |
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://unboundthegame.com/ Official website]
Category:Kickstarter-funded video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Unreal Engine 4 games
Category:Video games developed in Romania
Category:Video games with time manipulation
Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games
Category:Video games about magic
Category:Video games about parallel universes
Category:Crowdfunded video games