Game: Treasure Journey
Genre: Puzzle
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Argyron
Controller Support: No
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $ 7.99 | UK £ 6.69 | EU € 7,99
Release Date: July 15th, 2023
Review code provided with many thanks to Argyron.
Treasure Journey: A Cozy Puzzle Game
Treasure Journey is a cozy puzzle game where you guide a pirate across uncharted islands in search of hidden treasure. Though the visuals are modest, the game offers a surprisingly engaging puzzle experience perfect for a relaxing game night.
Get the Treasure
Treasure Journey features multiple puzzles across three different settings: beach, snow, and forest. The goal of each level is to grab the key and unlock the treasure chest. To achieve this, you will need to navigate carefully through the level, avoiding hazards and being cautious of falling platforms. You have a handy shovel that can be used to destroy soft blocks, causing heavier blocks and important items to drop down a level. Some levels require you to open multiple chests with multiple keys. It’s about assessing the level carefully and planning your moves. The first few levels are simple, but things soon become quite complex, and figuring out the solution to the more intricate puzzles feels rewarding.
Controls
Controls are a mixed bag. Moving your character is pretty easy; simply click the left mouse button on the tile you want the pirate to move to. You need to be a little cautious with this. Click too far ahead, and the pirate will automatically travel in the direction he thinks is best, which may accidentally lead him to walk into an explosive bomb. Small and steady steps certainly win the day. But if you do get a bit gung-ho with the puzzles, there is a quick undo button that you can spam multiple times to go back several moves. The right mouse button activates your shovel to dig. You can do this to blocks next to you or ones you’re standing on. Just be careful not to fall into the sea when doing this, though you will activate an achievement if you do.
Camera
The camera, an important feature for getting a lay of the land, is kind of fiddly in this game. It makes use of the keyboard controls to move and rotate the camera in a way that feels a bit unnatural and awkward. For some reason, moving the camera up and down is very slow, while the rotate buttons are overly sensitive. You can adjust keyboard and mouse sensitivity in options but things felt a bit off. You can zoom in and out with the mouse wheel, but it feels like there could have been a better method to implement camera controls or at least add controller options.
On that note, you can kind of play this game on Steam Deck, but it’s incredibly fiddly. It’s not a total deal breaker, as this is a puzzle game that’s move-based, so you can take your time getting the camera adjusted. It just might feel a bit slow.
Crystals
In addition to grabbing the keys in each level, you can find a crystal shard. These shards can be exchanged to upgrade your pirate’s speed and dig speed, two upgrades which feel completely unnecessary to the gameplay. When you finish a level, the game measures your time, so maybe it’s something for dedicated speedrunners. It feels more like a way to implement small cosmetic changes to your shoes and shovel. You can also exchange crystals to show you the solution to a level.
Graphics and Music
The graphics are very basic, consisting of simple 3D sprites on block platforms. This is clearly a game working with a very low budget and focusing on its gameplay. However, I did enjoy the piano score playing in the background as you play. It’s just one simple melody looping over and over, but it did put my mind in the mood to solve puzzles. There’s no story to speak of, you’re just a humble pirate looking for treasure. Nothing wrong with that.
Conclusion: Buried Treasure
Treasure Journey is okay. Not amazing, but there’s fun to be found. Navigating through the islands, you’ll find yourself immersed in a variety of clever puzzles that require both strategy and patience. The simplicity of the graphics doesn’t detract from the enjoyment; instead, it allows you to focus on the satisfying challenge of solving each puzzle.
Treasure Journey proves that sometimes, a good puzzle and a touch of adventure are all you need for a delightful gaming experience.
Final Verdict: I Like it
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