Quell Memento Review

By , on May 30, 2013
Last modified 10 years, 9 months ago


Quell Memento
  • Publisher: Bulkypix
  • Genre: Arcade
  • Released: 23 May, 2013
  • Size: 47.1 MB
  • Price: $2.99
Download on the AppStore
4 out of 5

PROS

  • A wistful aspect to the gameplay and accompanying music. 
  • Plenty of small gameplay additions to the core mechanic, which tie neatly into the story.

CONS

  • Hidden gems waste moves to recover, which breaks the flow of the some levels.

VERDICT

An enjoyable puzzle game woven around a novel story about lost memories.


  • Full Review
  • App Store Info

It's worth noting that, sometimes, all it takes to create a more poignant gaming experience is attention to presentation and transition. We're not talking about the actual visuals and soundscape of a game, but what lies in-between.

In Quell Memento, you explore the memories of the last occupant of a house based on the remnants of what they've left behind. As you wipe the dust from pictures, you peer closer at glass puzzles that hold special significance. In solving the puzzles therein, you graducally piece together the life of this mysterious individual.

Quell Memento is a variation on the sliding block puzzle. Initially, you're trying to collect all the fragments in as few moves as possible. As you become accustomed to the mechanics, new variants such as blocked pathways are added. You'll also find yourself illuminating other blocks, and shining lasers onto crystals.

All of this revolves around the core finger-driven sliding mechanic. Completing the puzzle in the allotted move limit will grant you a 'perfect'. Each puzzle also contains a hidden gem to locate as well. These gems are secreted in blocks, and need to be bashed with two or three swipes. So, if you're going for a 'perfect', you'll need to plan to collect gems another time (or collect the gem and restart the puzzle). These gems grant you coins which can unlock future memories, or impart handy hints and solutions.

It's not just the action of wiping dust from memories, but the way the game transitions between the windows and into the levels that brings the extra layer of immersion to this puzzle experience. It also helps that the gameplay is simple and enjoyable, with a well-scaled difficulty curve. Puzzle fans should enjoy what's on offer here, while the more casual fan should appreciate its accessibility, along with interesting memory-based narrative. Quell Memento is certainly not the game you expect to find upon firing it up, and, every now and then, it's nice to have your expectations defied.

Screenshots

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