Indivisible is the new game from Skullgirls developer Lab Zero Games. Indivisible was successfully crowdfunded in 2015. They have released a preview of the game for backers to show the people who pledged money how the development is progressing. From what’s on display in this preview backers should be happy with what Lab Zero have created.
No Talking, Just Action
Indivisible is a platformer/action-rpg with some Metroidvania elements. The preview provided had no story at all, instead showcasing the gameplay. In this preview you play as Ajna as she navigates the level and builds up a team to fight with. This writer played through the preview three times and enjoyed it more each time.
The level in this preview is quite complex with many routes and pickups available
The platforming is familiar and solid; hopping over gaps, wall jumps, sliding under obstacles – Indivisible does all this and does it competently. The level in this preview is quite complex with many routes and pickups available, though it isn’t made clear what the pickups are actually for. The pickups were floating and shiny so of course they got collected Traversing the level is fun, and soon enough the player will pick up an axe which can be used to scale walls.
The combat in Indivisible is a lot of fun. As the preview progressed the complexity of the fights increased in a very satisfying fashion. The player’s party of four are arranged in a diamond and their basic attacks are tied to the corresponding face button on the controller. During a battle, orbs beneath the characters will fill allowing them to perform basic of special attacks. Defeating enemies will grant characters XP, levelling each one party member up and making more action orbs available to them.
Battles can get frantic so the clarity in the visuals is appreciated
Party On
As Ajna explores the level she will meet and recruit different characters each of these has a special ability, there’s one who can heal the party and another who can slow down enemies. Indivisible allows you to swap characters in and out of your party very quickly. During battles successful hits will fill a bar at the top of the screen. This bar allows you to unleash the special attacks of the party, in a great move this bar also controls how long the characters can defend themselves. This adds another layer of tactics to every encounter.
Colourful, Crisp and Clear
Graphically, Indivisible looks very nice, the art style is vibrant and the character design is great. Battles can get frantic so the clarity onscreen is certainly appreciated. The soundtrack is quite good, and kicks up an adequate amount of notches when battles commence.
The time I spent with Indivisible was enjoyable as it has a combat system that lends itself to rewarding strategy and timing. This preview should hold the attention of players and make many people eager to see what Lab Zero releases in 2018.
