Euclidean Skies - We take a look back at the brilliant Euclidean Lands for iPhone and iPad
Landing
If you've not already noticed, this week is going to be all about Euclidean Skies here at Pocket Gamer. On Monday we got excited simply because the game is coming out on Thursday, and yesterday we made sure you had all the info you needed about the game before it lands.
Today though we wanted to explain why we're so excited about Euclidean Skies. And we can't do that without taking a step back in time, to spring of last year, when Euclidean Lands first came out for mobile.
It wasn't a game we'd been expecting, but it showed how ingenuity and a unique idea can create something truly special.
The thing that Euclidean Lands does best is create a sense of place. Each little puzzle takes place on a floating selection of blocks - you can manipulate these blocks by swiping the screen, opening up new pathways as you do.
And that all sounds a lot like the Escher-baiting gameplay of Monument Valley. But Euclidean Lands took things further. Because along with figuring out how to get from A to B, you also need to take out the guards and enemies that are trying to stop you.
Essentially that means you're playing two games at once. On the one hand you need to figure out the physical puzzle that's blocking you from getting where you want to go. On the other you're playing a turn-based strategy game.
Manipulating the world is one thing, but every time you move to a different block, your foes move as well. You need to figure out how to attack them from behind. Come at them from head-on and you're going to die, and have to play through the whole of the level again.
It's not the first time we've seen puzzles and strategy mixed together, but Euclidean Lands certainly has a unique take on the idea. Its two mechanics intertwine with each other in interesting and elegant ways, and as you play you'll learn the strengths and weaknesses of various strategies.
Euclidean Lands made you think not just in two dimensions, but in three, and then it gave you control over some aspects of those dimensions. But it made sure you were never perfectly comfortable, always adding some new trick to its repertoire to keep you on your toes.
Which all means that yeah, we're pretty excited to see what Euclidean Skies has to offer when it comes out tomorrow. Make sure you check back then, when you'll be able to read our in-depth review.
