Game: LoopIndex
Genre: Puzzle, Multiplayer, Adventure
System: Switch (also available on Xbox, Steam, and PlayStation)
Developer|Publisher: Somepx | Ratalaika Games
Age Rating: EU 7+ | US Everyone
Price: UK £3.59 | US $ 4.99 | EU € 4,10
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Review code used with many thanks to Ratalaika Games.
LoopIndex is a rare, couch co-op game that players can delve into either solo or with a friend. And while the game might look old with its SNES-looking graphics, the mechanics are fresh and fun.
The Game
There isn’t much of a story for LoopIndex; you play as a robot (or two robots if you are soloing the game). Working together, players have to both get to the endpoint of the puzzle, using robotic pets, boxes, buttons, levers, and more to find a way through. Players direct each of the robots through various dangers like spikes and circuit-frying rivers.

The game feels a little like a demake of Portal 2’s multiplayer; each pixelated robot has to move through the world, helping its partner to also move to the next stage through creative puzzle-solving.

The Look
LoopIndex is one of those games that focuses more on the mechanics of the game rather than the look, but there is something charming about the bit-style graphics. It’s still colourful and clean-looking, and players are forced to focus on what the puzzle is rather than be distracted by pretty graphics.
The simple look also makes the movable and interactable items stand out, too, making the puzzles a little easier visually. The top-down display also gives players a view of the entire puzzle all at once, giving them time to puzzle over how to get through each section safely.

Without spoiling too much, there are also bosses that have to be defeated in a few of the levels. This adds a new aspect that most puzzle games in this genre don’t usually have.
Pros of LoopIndex
There’s a lot to love here. Players have 70 levels to play through, each with its own challenges. Solo play is pleasantly difficult, and the couch co-op makes for a great hang out game. It reminds me of the old-school games we used to gather together for in my youth on the NES, SNES, and even the PS1.
Robotic pets with their own movements make this game interesting; there are a lot of mechanics to learn. Thankfully, the tutorial is integrated into the levels, so players aren’t overwhelmed by a million different things to remember all at once. There is a lot of polish to the game; it feels like a labour of love.

Cons of LoopIndex
I like this game a lot; however, it does have a downside: there is exactly zero replayability. Considering the overall cost of the game, this isn’t a massive problem. Dropping $5 USD on a game that you can play for many hours and with a friend is not a bad deal. While the mechanics of this game can be compared to others in the genre, there is enough that is interesting to make up for it. There are some ways to soft-lock yourself out of solving a level, but the levels are so short and sweet that having to reset the level isn’t a massive headache.
Conclusion
Overall, there just isn’t that much to complain about. LoopIndex is cheap fun that’s worth sitting down and playing solo and is even more fun with a friend. While it’s not going to break records or make history, the game is well thought out and put together.
Also, since LoopIndex is available for just about every single platform that anyone could want it on, players can sit down together and play regardless of what consoles they own. I would recommend this game to anyone who is looking for a fun puzzle experience to share with someone.
Final Verdict: I Like It A Lot.