Shift Quantum

Shift Quantum is the third game created by the Belgian Fishing Cactus studio. The earlier titles were Epistory and Algo Bot. This time the developers decided to have a go at the logic/platform game genre. The game was released on the {PLAT} platform.

Plot

The players take control of a virtual avatar that belongs to a scientific experiment volunteer, who is taking part in testing an application under the name – identical to the title of the game – Shift Quantum, which (in the game world) is developed by a fictional company called Axon Vertigo. The purpose of the program is to increase the capabilities of the human mind. The volunteers have to solve a series of puzzles that dwell in their own minds.

Mechanics

The game is based on the web browser game Shift made by Antony Lavelle. Every level is built in two dimensions that are distinguished by two different colors, black and white. The goal of the game is to reach the door; these are placed in seemingly impossible to access sections of the game world. Shifting between dimensions in the blink of an eye, the players traverse obstacles and solve puzzles. Some of them (puzzles) are rather simple and allow the player to “create” stairs by shifting dimensions. In other cases, players have to use their brains and be clever in how they approach a problem; e.g. sometimes it may be necessary to use a piece of the environment to make a bridge allowing the player to reach the other side of a gap.

The developers have prepared one hundred patterns; some of which are more skill-based, while others require thinking long and hard. Additionally, players can design their own levels using a simple editing tool. Levels that were created using this method may be shared with others via the Internet.

Technical aspects

Because of the type of mechanics employed, Shift Quantum’s graphics for the {PLAT} platform are not very impressive; the color scheme is mainly black and white. However, comparing this release to the web browser original, the graphics have been substantially improved. The character animations are smoother, the backgrounds have a feeling of depth to them, and everything is glued together with a cyber-noir atmosphere.

Last updated on 14 February 2018