Game: Hand in Hand
Genre: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle
System: Nintendo Switch (also available on Steam (Windows)
Developers | Publishers: MaxMedia | OverGamez
Age Rating: US E 10+ | EU 7+
Price: US $12.00 | UK £10.99 | EU € 10,74
Release Date: May 11th, 2024
A review code was used with many thanks to OverGamez.
Hand in Hand is an indie adventure game about two soulmates and their separation when an evil force comes into the world they live in. Through perseverance, they discover a delicate connection that binds them together, allowing them to vanquish evil and finally embrace once more. This is a tale that reminds us of the power of helping one another, even when physically apart, and the value of true relationships that transcend distance. It’s a story that celebrates the importance of unity and unwavering love.
I cannot contain my excitement for games with a heartwarming narrative! There is nothing quite like experiencing a cosy and cute story that warms your heart, and Hand in Hand does just that and more. This game is a beautiful lesson in the power of companionship and the ability to help each other, even when physically apart. Hand in Hand truly captures the essence of love and connection, making it a must-play for anyone who appreciates feel-good games.
Paint Me a Picture
The world and animation depicted in Hand in Hand are absolutely breathtaking! Every detail, from the characters to the background elements, is stunning. My personal favourite aspect is the adorable little animals that lurk in the shadows, occasionally popping out to add a touch of whimsy to the scene. Their presence is not at all scary or creepy; instead, it adds a subtle charm that truly brings the picture to life and creates imagery that is hard not to love.
That’s Teamwork in Hand in Hand
Hand in Hand is played in a horizontal split screen with two ways that it can be played. The first is that a single player controls both characters using both controllers, or it can be played with 2 players – each one controlling a different character. I tried both ways. The first was by myself, and with the co-op, I enlisted the help of my 11-year-old.
Trying it solo was…hard. The game is full of puzzles that need to be solved and some of them really do rely on teamwork. For instance, there are closed doors that open by standing on a button. Move off the button, and the door instantly closes again, so one person needs to stand on the button whilst the other goes through the door. The scene on both screens also doesn’t “marry” up completely, so when one character comes up against an obstacle, the other character is not necessarily in the same part of that scene. It makes for some very interesting gameplay.
There was one particular bit that I tried…and failed many times to get past. It involved a tree that had ledges that appeared from the sides when certain buttons were pressed on the floor, but trying to navigate pressing the buttons with one character and then being able to jump when the ledge appeared (with the one I was standing on disappearing) quickly enough was challenging. Maybe my reflexes have given up the ghost a little as I have become older, but it’s definitely something I need to work on.
However, enlisting my 11-year-old to help make that particular puzzle a breeze. I have to admit I am slightly jealous of his ability to be incredibly snappy when learning new controls!
Just like the game is heartwarming and about those who love each other finding their way back to each other, my 11-year-old and I really bonded while playing Hand in Hand. He’s getting to the age now where mum is maybe a tad embarrassing (aren’t all parents embarrassing?), but he happily sat down to play this with me, and he thoroughly enjoyed it, too. We both love the puzzle-solving aspect of the game. We found it challenging but not frustrating, which is always a massive upside because, to me at least, games should be about enjoying my time with them and not wanting to throw my Switch out of the window (it’s okay, Switch, I do still love you, honestly!)
This is Ground Control to…Simplicity?
Despite the puzzles being challenging and being a lesson in dexterity, the controls are relatively simple – well, when playing in co-op mode. Playing solo is a little more tricky because the controls are inverted for the second controller when playing in solo mode, so pressing right makes you go left and vice versa. Once you get over that hurdle, however, the controls are pretty easy to navigate and get used to.
Hand in Hand will also give you hints when the other player needs to activate an ability to do something to aid you and vice versa, which was definitely a nice touch and didn’t make us feel like we were wandering around aimlessly with no idea what to do.
Conclusion
Hand in Hand is a beautifully created game with a narrative which is sure to warm the hearts of young and old alike. It’s challenging without being frustrating, and I absolutely loved playing it. I have still yet to complete it, but my 11-year-old and I are working on it and enjoying bonding time while we do so. I’d definitely recommend this game in co-op mode rather than solo mode purely because it’s far easier to navigate one character than two, but if you’re up for a challenge, then solo mode is also worth a shot. Either way, Hand in Hand is a beautiful addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up: 
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