[20151202 Edit]
Level Format:
The game begins with a simple tutorial and brief overview of ancient writing (contained in pages which the player may collect).
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| Part of the tutorial. |
Afterwards, each level (composed of four chapters) represents a font and, like the tutorial, the player may collect six pages of history pertaining to the font and/or closely related history.
In addition to the pages, the player may also collect the letters A through Z (written in the corresponding level's font) or look for a hidden ampersand.
20141110:
Today I played the tutorial and the subsequent two levels. Not only did I enjoy the simple platforming experience, but I also enjoyed learning about the history - possibly because I once picked up a little bit of calligraphy.
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| Unlock and read about the history! |
Note that reading the history is optional, and the player can choose to go through the game without reading any history at all (but that would be a shame).
Comparison:
As I mentioned above, I found the game similar to NightSky. In particular, both games feature a black foreground.
However, the background art of Type:Rider was more intricate and complex than that of NightSky. This appropriately shifted the atmosphere of the game from a feeling of relaxation (NightSky) to one of complication and discovery (Type:Rider).
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| Gothic - Don't get squished by the letterpress! |
Steam Game Time: 0.8 hours (total game time)
[20151202 Edit]
20151203:
Today I decided to finish the game (100% completion). This began with finishing the main story.
Gameplay Log:
Steam Achievement: End. @ Steam 1.9 hours (2.7 hours total game time)
I began playing the secret level which was hard compared to the rest of the game.
Steam Achievements: Letters; Legendary; LOL. @ Steam 2.2 hours (3.0 hours total game time)
Next I began looking for the hidden ampersands. I read about the location for a hidden ampersand in the level Times. Upon collecting it, I discovered that a level with no more secrets will be marked with an 'Aa'. Though by now, the only levels without the 'Aa' mark were Didot and Futura.
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| Gothic - One of the trickier jumps. |
Steam Achievement: Ampersands. @ Steam 2.8 hours (3.6 hours total game time)
Then I went for the Desperado achievement: "Finish the Clarendon level without dying." Fortunately I only had to replay the level three times. Part of my success was due to the following:
The gunman shows up when I jump on the 'O' and he/she normally continued until I get about halfway into the saloon. However, once during the second run and during the third run, I jumped off from the 'O' to the platform on the far right and the gunman ceased to follow me.
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| Clarendon |
Finally there was the "Share knowledge" achievement which I learned must be done from the end of a level (so I quickly played the last chapter of Gothic). Fortunately, the achievement is triggered simply by clicking one of the social media buttons (at the end of a level). In other words, nothing actually has to be posted.
Steam Achievements: Desperado; Share knowledge. @ Steam 3.3 hours (4.1 hours total game time)
Steam Game Time: 3.3 hours (session game time) / 4.1 hours (total game time)
Thoughts:
Pros:
+ Cool background art.
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| Times |
+ Great soundtrack. Wide variety of music to accompany a wide variety of history.
+ Educational (optional)
+ Solid level design
Neutral:
~ Relatively casual game:
a) plentiful number of checkpoints
b) collection of objects (letters/asterisks) are saved, even if the player dies
Cons:
- Unintuitive pause menu*
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| Helvetica |
- The character is not the easiest to control and its odd physics can feel random without taking the time to master; can feel frustrating or buggy
Unknown:
? Some elements in the game appear to have random timings.
*Exit a level by navigating to the far left of the pause menu
Recommendation:
The level design is nicely laid out and reflects the developer's attention to detail. Unfortunately, the game's character physics occasionally hampered the experience making Type:Rider a solid, but not excellent platformer.
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| Comic Sans MS |
Type:Rider (PC) (2013)
Relevant Links:
Type:Rider (PC) (MetaCritic.com)
Type:Rider (Steam Store Page)
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