PGC NEWS

The indie game scene thrives on creativity, offering unique gameplay experiences that often defy mainstream conventions. Puzzle games, in particular, are a breeding ground for innovation. The Pedestrian, developed by Skookum Arts, exemplifies this, presenting a captivating puzzle adventure that will challenge your mind and delight your senses.

Navigating a World of Signs

The Pedestrian throws you into a vibrant urban environment with minimal narrative exposition, allowing the gameplay to speak for itself. You begin by choosing a male or female stick figure avatar and embark on a journey through a series of interconnected cityscapes. The game’s core mechanic revolves around manipulating environmental signs and connecting them to create pathways for your character.

The Pedestrian Gameplay

This seemingly simple concept quickly reveals its depth. Each sign presents a unique puzzle, requiring careful observation and logical thinking to solve. Incorrect arrangements send you back to the starting point, encouraging experimentation and a methodical approach. The developers cleverly introduce variations, such as fixed signs and looping pathways, to keep the challenges fresh and engaging.

A Non-Linear Puzzle Playground

One of The Pedestrian‘s standout features is its open-hub structure. While the overall progression remains linear, many sections offer branching paths, allowing you to tackle puzzles in a non-linear fashion. This flexibility provides a welcome respite from challenging puzzles, allowing you to explore different areas and return to a tricky section with a fresh perspective.

The Pedestrian Open Hub

This approach ensures a balanced pacing, preventing puzzle fatigue and maintaining a steady flow of discovery. While certain larger sections adhere to a linear structure to maintain narrative cohesion, the game consistently provides opportunities for player agency and exploration.

Evolving Challenges and Visual Delights

As you progress, The Pedestrian introduces new gameplay elements, preventing the puzzles from becoming stale. Beyond simply connecting signs, you’ll encounter challenges involving teleportation, maintaining specific states, and even timing your movements to avoid obstacles.

The Pedestrian New Mechanics

The game’s visuals, while not graphically demanding, are aesthetically pleasing. The art direction emphasizes clean lines, vibrant colors, and clever lighting, creating a visually calming and immersive experience that complements the gameplay.

The soundtrack further enhances the atmosphere, adding a whimsical touch to the challenging puzzles. The music evokes a sense of wonder and adventure, perfectly complementing the game’s unique world.

A Minor Narrative Shortcoming

Despite its engaging gameplay and charming presentation, The Pedestrian falls slightly short in its narrative execution. The minimalist approach, while effective in highlighting the gameplay, leaves the story feeling underdeveloped and the ending somewhat abrupt.

The Pedestrian Narrative

However, this minor flaw doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience. The game’s strength lies in its innovative puzzle design, and for those seeking a captivating and challenging puzzle adventure, The Pedestrian delivers in spades.

Game Information

• Developer: Skookum Arts
• Publisher: Skookum Arts
• Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
• Release Date: January 14, 2021
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

System Requirements (Minimum)

• OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel i3
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: GeForce 460
• Storage: 4 GB

System Requirements (Recommended)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5 8300H
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 1500 Ti 4GB VRAM
• Storage: 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD