“Scientists have discovered that the small brave act of cooperating with another person, of choosing trust over cynicism, generosity over selfishness, makes the brain light up with quiet joy.” – Natalie Angier
Overview
In Sink is a two-player online co-op puzzle game in which the participants must communicate and work together in order to solve problems and make their way through a series of escape-room-style levels.
Developer: Clock Out Games
Released: 12th November 2024
Price: £12.79
Platforms: Windows
Available on: Steam
Engine: Unity
Gameplay
In Sink contains eight levels, plus a very brief and somewhat subtle tutorial section. Players must collaborate to solve a wide range of puzzles that involve communication at their core but also require pattern recognition, logic, timing, and more. Often, each player will only have access to one half of the puzzle after being separated from their teammate, working together is essential to overcoming the challenges presented. There is a hint function available, this is done quite well and is helpful without offering full solutions which can sometimes spoil the fun. The puzzles provide a good variety of tasks, they are generally well-designed and are both challenging and satisfying without being frustrating.
Narrative and Styling
In Sink does not bulk out its gameplay with a superfluous storyline. The two characters appear to be father and son and the different levels all have distinct themes such as noir, and locations such as a pirate ship for the pair to work through. Besides these things, there is very little in the way of narrative elements.
The game uses a vibrant 3D art style that uses somewhat simple shapes and mostly flat colours. The visuals are very colourful and inviting, unlike a lot of other co-op puzzle games, emphasised further by the atmospheric lighting. The music can be very serene or almost ethereal, but also more energetic in places. The soundtrack has a lot of variety and the tracks always match the level that they are accompanying. There is no voice acting in the game, and minimal text (making it pretty accessible) but there are some nicely implemented sound effects that help to immerse the players in the experience.
Summary
Overall, In Sink is a great example of a co-op puzzle game, definitely one of the better offerings in terms of this specific genre. It features fun, vibrant aesthetics, a fitting soundtrack, engaging puzzles that are both challenging and entertaining, as well as intuitive, accessible controls. Communication is key to making it through this game and the developers implement this brilliantly, providing short sections where the players work within the same space to break things up and reduce repetition. It will take around 8 hours to complete, providing a good amount of playtime for its price point. My puzzle companion and I both thoroughly enjoyed In Sink and I am happy to recommend it to puzzle fans looking for something to enjoy with a friend.
Looking for more games to enjoy with a friend? You may also like these reviews:
Pets at Work – Cats and Dogs and Co-op Platforming Fun! – A Way Out – Co-operative Prison Escape Game – Wobbly Life – The Cutest and Wobbliest Open-World Sandbox Game!
