As a fan of puzzle games, "Hob" initially seemed promising with its intricate map design and puzzle mechanics. However, delving deeper into the game reveals a host of frustrating issues that mar the experience and make it difficult to fully enjoy.
One of the most aggravating aspects of "Hob" is its lack of navigational aids. When new areas open up, they often lead to multiple previously explored regions, leaving players disoriented and unsure of where to go next. This problem could have been easily remedied with the inclusion of waypoints or a pinging mechanic to provide guidance. Instead, players are left to rely solely on their spatial memory, leading to tedious backtracking and aimless wandering.
As the game progresses, the map becomes increasingly convoluted, exacerbating the navigation problem. To make matters worse, the main objective marker, which once provided a general direction, inexplicably disappears near the ending of the game, leaving players even more directionless and frustrated.
The jumping mechanics in "Hob" are also a source of annoyance. The isometric design of the map makes precise jumping difficult, and attempting to play with a mouse and keyboard is an exercise in futility. This forces players to use a controller, limiting accessibility and alienating those who prefer other input methods.
Furthermore, the game suffers from technical issues such as getting stuck on minor protrusions in the environment, which should have been addressed by the game's engine or code but remain unresolved.
While "Hob" does have its merits, particularly in its meticulously crafted puzzles and detailed map, these positives are overshadowed by its glaring flaws. The lack of waypoints and guidance makes exploration a tedious chore, and it's difficult to imagine anyone completing the game without resorting to outside help.
Overall, "Hob" has the potential to be a standout title in the puzzle genre, but its execution falls short. With proper attention to navigation and technical polish, it could have been a stellar experience. As it stands, however, the frustrating mechanics and lack of guidance hold it back from achieving greatness. My rating for "Hob" cannot exceed 7/10 due to these significant issues.
One of the most aggravating aspects of "Hob" is its lack of navigational aids. When new areas open up, they often lead to multiple previously explored regions, leaving players disoriented and unsure of where to go next. This problem could have been easily remedied with the inclusion of waypoints or a pinging mechanic to provide guidance. Instead, players are left to rely solely on their spatial memory, leading to tedious backtracking and aimless wandering.
As the game progresses, the map becomes increasingly convoluted, exacerbating the navigation problem. To make matters worse, the main objective marker, which once provided a general direction, inexplicably disappears near the ending of the game, leaving players even more directionless and frustrated.
The jumping mechanics in "Hob" are also a source of annoyance. The isometric design of the map makes precise jumping difficult, and attempting to play with a mouse and keyboard is an exercise in futility. This forces players to use a controller, limiting accessibility and alienating those who prefer other input methods.
Furthermore, the game suffers from technical issues such as getting stuck on minor protrusions in the environment, which should have been addressed by the game's engine or code but remain unresolved.
While "Hob" does have its merits, particularly in its meticulously crafted puzzles and detailed map, these positives are overshadowed by its glaring flaws. The lack of waypoints and guidance makes exploration a tedious chore, and it's difficult to imagine anyone completing the game without resorting to outside help.
Overall, "Hob" has the potential to be a standout title in the puzzle genre, but its execution falls short. With proper attention to navigation and technical polish, it could have been a stellar experience. As it stands, however, the frustrating mechanics and lack of guidance hold it back from achieving greatness. My rating for "Hob" cannot exceed 7/10 due to these significant issues.
