Written by Tanner Banks, September 10, 2016, at 2:22 p.m.
When the Rolling Stones talked about how they couldn’t get no satisfaction, I doubt they were talking about video games. However, those hypnotic lyrics really strike a chord when you look at modern video games. The best games are the most satisfying ones.
In Sonic, hitting every jump and hearing the ring counter go bananas felt euphoric. Surviving an attack from the Deathclaw with a well placed V.A.T.S shot in Fallout is a shot of adrenaline right in the arm. And that moment when you line up the enemy team for a double, triple, QUADRUPLE KILL. Oh, baby.
That is what satisfaction is supposed to be about, being challenged to hone your skills and being rewarded for it. And in this addition of Greenlight Spotlight we’ll be looking at one of the most satisfying games I’ve played in a while: Prisma.
https://youtu.be/SxAioJPqR5I
What is Prisma?
Prisma, made by Shiny Bolt Games, is set for release on PC and Mac is side-scrolling platformer where the you use different colored powers to traverse the levels. Each ability that you unlock is mapped to a button on your gamepad or controller and can be used for a specific purpose. Blue makes you jump higher, yellow makes you run fast while your arms swing back like Naruto, and red helps makes you break shit in your way.
In addition, certain objects will only appear if you are in a certain state. If the platform is blue, you need to have your blue powers active in order to land on it. Otherwise you’ll merely pass through it and fall to your death.
However, if an object blocking your path has a white outline you need to tap the button for the ability you’re using to cancel it. You’ll have no powers active, but you can pass through the obstacle. As you progress you’ll need to learn how to combo your abilities to pass the puzzles.
The demo for this game will take you twenty to thirty minutes at most. All it shows you is the power system, a few levels to practice them individually and in combination, and the final level to show off the potential.
Even though it sounds like nothing special, it left me very satisfied from the demo. In fact, I’ve gone back and played the demo over and over to try and beat my times. (It doesn’t show your time as of yet, but timing myself was extremely fun.)
Who is Prisma?
Prisma is a game developed by Shiny Bolt Studios. A team started by Kyle Bolton, Hank Silman and Alex Mendez, three graduates from Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta. Joinging them are Alex Liberatore Khoa Nguyen, Kevin Ridgway, Angelica Rodriguez-Vazquez, and Nicole Strang.
This young team is ready to show the gaming world just what they’re made of. Most members of the team only have one or two other games on their resume, but show more than enough promise with the love and care that’s gone into Prisma.
Where is Prisma?
Prisma follows the adventures of a young explorer named Ray. In the middle of one of her expeditions, she finds herself in a peculiar situation with a mischievous girl named Fractal. Fractal seeks Ray’s help to find and destroy magical masks that are spread throughout the world of Aura.
She lends Ray her dimension changing powers to help her overcome the obstacles and puzzles that they will face. Accompanied by Ignus, Fractal’s silent confidante, Ray and Fractal set out on a worldwide adventure to discover the hidden masks and their mysterious power.
Prisma is set in a gorgeous world filled with colors and personality. Watching the colors of the world change while with your powers is a beautiful touch and the happy little cacti that bounce around give the levels life.
Add a score that breathes excitement, wonder, and mystery by Alex Liberatore and you don’t feel like you’re running through levels, you feel like you’re running through an actual world. Seriously, the GIF I made for the game doesn’t do it justice, It’s beautiful to watch in game and I highly recommend you see for yourself.
When is Prisma?
On the official Greenlight Page we’ve only been given an ambiguous 2017 release date. While that means it could be out as early as January, but don’t expect a release date before the third quarter.
How is Prisma?
I like it. I like it a lot. Growing up on games like Mario, Crash, and Spyro, Prisma really hit the sweet spot for me. Everything about this game really scratching that platformer itch that I’ve had since beating Shovel Knight. (It’s just bellow my right knee.) And much like scratching an itch this game satisfies me like no other.
The controls are tight without being restrictive. The puzzles are easy to understand without being easy to do. As you try to anticipate the puzzle in front of you, you can’t switch to be ready early, or else you’ll fall because you’re still on the puzzle before it. It’s hard, but never unfair.
The character design is lovely and the visuals are so damn gorgeous it makes me want to vomit. The story felt generic when I first read it, but the amount of personality that Ray, Fractal, and Ignus show in their brief appearances made me interested.
But the real winner hear is the level design. All three power-ups practically beg for a speedrun. The Yellow Speed Boost feels so good to bust off, with a cannon noise when you pick up speed. The Blue Jump feels like I’m the reincarnation of Michael Jordan. And the punch, while my least favorite of the three, made me feel like a total badass. All in all, I’m really excited for Prisma to come out, but I’m disappointed about how long I’ll have to wait.
Final Thoughts
Prisma is a platforming game that has a great concept and delivers in spades. Everything in the demo from sound and level design to gameplay feels rock solid. I’m surprised that Shiny Bolt is only going for a release on PC and Mac, because I believe this game could succeed on mobile games and on the PSN, Wii U, and XBONE online stores. Bottom line, go support this game. It’s fucking awesome.
Go support the Greenlight here on Steam.
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