Review: Figment 2: Creed Valley | Xbox

I recently had the pleasure of playing Figment 2: Creed Valley, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Figment. As a fan of the first game, I was excited to dive back into the whimsical world of Figment and explore the colourful and imaginative world once again.

Graphics and Sound Design – A Vibrant and Lively World

The graphics and sound design of Figment 2: Creed Valley are nothing short of exceptional. The game’s hand-drawn environments are bursting with colour and personality, and the attention to detail is impressive. From the trees grooving to the background music to the eclectic homes of the ‘opinions’, every location is beautifully crafted and full of life.

The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a range of catchy and upbeat tracks that perfectly capture the game’s playful tone. Bosses sing as they attack and you respond in catchy lyrical quips. The voice acting is also top-notch, with each character bringing their own unique personality and charm to the game. Both Catty Donnelly and Yui Hisaishi reprise their roles as Rusty and Piper.

Gameplay – A Fun and Challenging Adventure

Figment 2: Creed Valley is a pseudo-3D adventure game that follows the story of Dusty and Piper, two heroes tasked with saving the mind from the fears and doubts that plague its inhabitants. The top-down isometric view works well and matches the original. The gameplay is a mix of puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat, and it all comes together to create a fun and challenging experience.

The puzzles are cleverly designed and often require a bit of creative thinking to solve, while the combat is simplistic but satisfying. One of the new additions to Figment 2 is the mindset switch that changes the world from a closed mind to an open mind. In a closed-mind state, the world has purpose and platforms move methodically, however, in an open-mind state, the world is brighter and barriers are removed. This change is also reflected in the characters with Rusty preferring the focus of a closed mind whereas Piper is more open to new ideas. This theme continues throughout the story. Figment 2 also allows for cooperative play with player two acting as the trusty sidekick Piper. Unbound from gravity, she is able to fly around the level and assist Rusty with battle. As her move set is very limited she mainly acts in a support role. However, my daughter and I enjoyed working through the story together, and she was able to learn from the lessons found within without having to worry about being the main player.

Story and Characters – A Heartwarming Tale

One of my favourite parts of Figment 2: Creed Valley is its heartwarming story and lovable cast of characters. I felt like I learned more about myself and my mindset throughout. The game tackles themes of self-doubt and fear in a thoughtful and engaging way, and the characters are all wonderfully written and memorable. Dusty and Piper are a charming duo, with their banter and personalities providing plenty of laughs throughout the game. The game’s villains are also intriguing, with each one representing a different fear or doubt that the heroes must overcome. The main ‘enemy’ in the game is a two-faced clown bent on free thought and childhood innocence who appeared after the breakdown of the moral compass and most of the game is spent chasing them through the mind.

A Short but Sweet Adventure

As much as I enjoyed Figment 2: Creed Valley, a minor criticism would be that the game is a bit on the short side. While the main story is engaging and entertaining, it can be completed in around 8-10 hours, which may disappoint some players.

Personally, I love self-contained games that can be completed in a week. However, the game’s side quests and hidden collectibles do offer some extra content, and the game’s replayability factor is high thanks to its engaging story and enjoyable gameplay.

Figment 2: Creed Valley is a delightful and charming sequel that improves upon the original game in almost every way. Its exceptional graphics and sound design, fun and challenging gameplay, and heartwarming story and characters make it a must-play for fans of the adventure and puzzle genre. The concepts that the game explores make you think about your own mindset and how experiences differ depending on your perspective. A fantastic lesson for any gamer.