Game: Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
System: Nintendo Switch (also available on Steam, (Windows) macOS & PS5
Developers | Publishers: Furniture & Mattress
Age Rating: US E | EU 3+
Price: US $19.99 | UK £17.99 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: July 25th, 2024
A review code was provided, and many thanks to popagenda PR.
Since it was revealed in the Nintendo Direct in February, I’ve had my eye on Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure. I couldn’t wait to play it, as it looked like my kind of game. Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is an intriguing blend of narrative-driven exploration and unique puzzle mechanics.
It is a debut game from the indie studio Furniture & Mattress. Braid artist David Hellman co-founded Furniture & Mattress with Carto writer Nick Suttner and puzzle designer Nicolás Recabarren.
Move Along an Interconnected Grid in Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
The game’s storyline follows Jemma, a small-town misfit, on her journey of self-discovery in a world filled with inspiration and puzzles. Jemma soon discovers that the world is stagnant and held in place by a static force. She must find her place in it while helping to break the cycle of stagnation.
The main feature of Arranger that drew me to the game is its unique, interconnected grid, which seamlessly combines movement, exploration, and combat. I’ve played numerous grid-based puzzle games in my time, but I haven’t seen a movement and an interconnected grid mechanism executed as well as it is in Arranger.
You see, the grid that Jemma moves along allows for looping around its edges; this adds a challenging layer of strategic depth as you try to understand how Jemma moves.
When you move Jemma, the world moves with her. Moving up shifts the vertical tiles in that row up and then wraps around to the bottom. Furthermore, moving left shifts the horizontal tiles in that row, and so on; the grid you move on is like someone has taken a rolling pin to a Rubik’s Cube and flattened it out.
Everything Moves When Jemma Moves
With the moving gird mechanic, when Jemma moves, everything, including objects like tables, chairs, and other items in the same row as Jemma, also moves, leading to a fun, engaging, and somewhat challenging gameplay experience at times.
At the beginning of the game, while I was exploring the town, I wasn’t paying attention to what was on the same row as Jemma as I moved her. So, I moved Jemma further along the same row, which caused a character to fall off the ladder they were standing on. They weren’t pleased I’d knocked them off. The puzzle mechanic creates a sense of playful chaos and offers a great variety of thoughtful puzzles that continually challenge you.
No XP or Inventory Management
Every area in Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure requires moving Jemma around, solving puzzles, collecting keys to unlock doors, and navigating obstacles.
However, some obstacles have a purplish sheen that cannot be moved; they can be tricky to overcome. Also, some map layouts give you a very tight space to manoeuvre in, so one small step in the wrong direction means everything slides out of place.
Unlike traditional RPGs, Arranger doesn’t have XP or inventory management. Everything is handled in the world. If Jemma is due to fight an enemy, a sword will be waiting on a tile in the puzzle. So, it’s up to you to move the sword and Jemma into position in front of the enemy to hit it. Similarly, when she is tasked with shearing some sheep, the shears she will use will need to be moved to where the sheep are.
The game storytelling is centred on Jemma’s emotional journey. Her character development is woven into the gameplay, making her growth and self-discovery feel meaningful. While travelling through the world, you complete quests and puzzles and also meet some quirky characters.
The campaign in Arranger is designed to be breezy and enjoyable, with optional challenges and assist options that allow you to tailor the difficulty to your liking. You can even skip some puzzles entirely if they prove too difficult. These options ensure that players of all skill levels can enjoy the adventure without frustration.
Visuals and Music
Visually, the game is a treat for the eyes. The art style, contributed by the artist behind the game Braid, is stunning and adds a unique charm to the game. Each environment is beautifully designed, feeling both distinct and interconnected. I love the use of colours and design elements to create a vibrant world that is a joy to explore.
The music is atmospheric and enhances the gameplay experience. Each track is composed to reflect the mood and tone of the various environments and story beats. The narrative of Arranger is heartfelt, and Jemma’s journey of self-discovery is portrayed well. I enjoyed the storyline with its touches of humour and meeting the quirky characters.
Conclusion
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is a game focused on the core experience of exploration and puzzle-solving. It brings a refreshing twist to the RPG genre. Its innovative grid system, storytelling, and visuals make it a standout title for me on the Nintendo Switch.
The game’s unique approach to movement, exploration, and combat, combined with its story, ensures that it will leave a lasting impression on players. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the genre, Arranger is an adventure worth embarking on.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up 
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