Hey Rockers. When you think of cute games, what do you think of? Most gamers will typically name off at least one Nintendo title in their top 10 cutest games list. Games such as Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Kirby, It Takes Two, Lego, Pikmin, Sonic, Little Big Planet, Yoshi, and Slime Rancher. So what do all these games have in common? Cute and potentially iconic characters but sometimes an emotional story or easy to utilize game mechanics. At PAX East 2022, we met with Wired Productions to preview a few games that could end up on that list, Tin Hearts, and Arcade Paradise.
For those who are unaware, Wired Productions are the publishers behind Max: The Curse of Brotherhood (PS4 & Switch), Close to the Sun, Deliver Us The Moon, The Falconer, and Martha is Dead. They are also the publishers behind the game, The Last Worker, which we awarded Best of Show at PAX East 2022. Although I enjoyed the little bit of The Last Worker that I played, I did not see it as the true best in show winner; this view is definitely based on personal preferences not the quality of the game. In fact, it could win the Indie Game of the Year award at The Game Awards. Though it had an interesting look at society and how we are proceeding, some of Wired Productions’ other titles could dethrone it if released in 2022. So, let’s talk about a title that could win that honor.
Tin Hearts
Now let’s talk about Tin Hearts. Tin Hearts is easily one of my five favorite games from PAX East 2022; honestly, I can’t wait until it gets released. Tin Hearts is the story of an inventor. Throughout each level, we get a deep look at the inventor’s family life and innovative crafting process. After beating each level, players bear witness to moments in the toy maker’s life.
Tin Hearts builds upon itself giving players different abilities and tools to solve puzzles. For PAX East, players had the opportunity to play through the whole first act of the game. This demo granted guests the opportunity to play through nineteen levels and see some of the game’s mechanics. In the beginning stages of the game, players need limited powers to get the tin soldier from the music box to the door; however, as levels progress, the powerups unlocked build up one another to make players think of non-traditional ways to solve the puzzles. Utilizing a speed up, rewind, and slow down mechanic, players are able to see how the little soldiers will progress and make educated decisions to guide the soldier where it needs to go. If the player gets stuck, it is easy enough to rewind in order to solve the puzzle.
Takeaways
Tin Hearts by far was easily my favorite game from Wired Productions. The game’s elegant design, puzzle mechanics, level design, and cute characters drew us in immediately. Additionally, the mystery behind what is transpiring in the toy creator’s life makes you want to learn more. Does the child ever get to see the dollhouse that is being made or does something else happen?
In a way, Tin Hearts reminds us of the charm of Toy Story. The idea that little objects can bring such emotion reminded me of when I was little. The imagination that goes into bringing something to life. The effort that it takes to turn a simple room into a giant puzzle, reminds us of the childish nature; the ability to turn ordinary everyday things into toys, sets, and even the building blocks of growth. You may ask why growth? When you think about how kids play, it is reinforcing certain mannerisms to help them get better at whatever they are doing. Tin Hearts captures the essence of both a dad who is trying to be a great inventor and a loving father; where it also captures the essence of a child providing something that feels youthful and rejuvenating.
Just from the different levels that we got to play, I can not wait until the game releases. On top of the stacking mechanics, Tin Heart’s visual appeal gave it a special kind of elegance that you don’t see that often in games. The game’s first-act music is playful and happy, pushing the player forward. In a way, it is almost reassuring the player that they can do it.
Release Date
At the moment, there is no official release date for Tin Hearts. Tin Hearts is also currently planned for PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. If this game seems appealing to you, consider adding it to your wishlist.
