There are many aspects of mathematics. The core principles of addition, subtraction, Multiplication, and division. Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, etc. Many increasingly convoluted strata of theory involving numbers. And there’s Geometry, the study of shapes, both two dimensional and three dimensional. And what is every fundamental shape made of? Corners…and edges.
That’s where EDGE comes in. And boy was this a stretch to justify a game about moving a cube around geometric levels suspended over oblivion.
Developed and published by Two Tribes, EDGE puts the player in control of a cube, which they “roll” across varied levels from start to finish. Additionally, the player picks up colored blocks that increase the rolling speed and score bonus. The demo showcases ten of the early levels, all of which help the prospective buyer get familiar with the game mechanics.
EDGE is a relatively simple game, abstract as can be; much like regular mathematics. But as is often the case, complexity and difficulty are inversely related. As such, while the concept may be uncomplicated, the levels of this game test the player’s skill and problem solving ability. Not to mention the controls, the way the cube moves, take some getting used to. I for one fell to my death countless times from just holding the direction key too long and went straight off the map, doing what should be easy feats of navigation.
The only controls needed during the game are the directional keys, or directional pad on a game controller. This is both good and bad, since on the one hand it’s easy to learn them, but difficult to master some feats of skill performed by using only the arrow keys. The first time you try hanging on a block without climbing on top of it or losing purchase and falling to your doom, and you’ll understand my meaning. Not to mention the game uses an isometric point of view, so remembering which direction of movement is “up” takes time. Assuming you move into this game for the first time.
My personal experience with this game is limited to the ten levels, but I’ve had the fortune to watch a Let’s Play of the full game on YouTube that illustrated the many different and challenging levels that this game contains. And there are a lot of levels; over a hundred through updates and the like that introduce multiple new gameplay additions. So if the demo intrigues, the full game has plenty to offer.
Major Boon: Geometry. You’ll be amazed what the designers could do with simple blocks.
EDGE is available on Steam for $8. EDGE received a Metacritic score of 74%.
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