Hand In Hand is a 2D puzzle platformer that invites players to dive into a thrilling adventure. Published by OverGamez and developed by MaxMedia, the title offers gameplay based on mutual aid and cooperation. After an early access launch on PC in November 2023, its concept seems to have won over fans of the genre. Now available on XBox Series and XBox One since May 24, 2024, as well as on PlayStation 4 and 5 and Nintendo Switch, we were eager to get our hands on this title that promises to be entertaining. Does the promise live up to our expectations?
Once upon a time, there were two lost soul mates…
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Hand In Hand tells the moving epic of a couple who live in harmony in an enchanting kingdom. But, as in all fairy tales, an evil shadow lurks and falls upon their happiness, striking them head-on and tearing them away from each other. Now separated, they each embark on a common quest, driven by the hope of finding each other again. They thus brave the perils of a world that has become foreign and hostile to them, carried by the strength of their unbreakable bond.
At every step, they must use their ingenuity to solve puzzles and cooperate to open new portals, progressing from world to world. Although they advance separately in almost similar parallel universes, they find themselves in interconnected areas, where collaboration and mutual support are crucial to progress through the levels.
- Once upon a time, in an enchanting kingdom…
Solo: a dynamic duality. In Coop: an unparalleled alliance!
- Where am I ?
Hand In Hand can be played either solo or in local co-op. The screen is split, with each half dedicated to a character. In solo mode, you control both protagonists simultaneously using the joysticks on the controller (the left stick for the man and the right for the woman). This game mechanic reminds us of Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons. The keys vary depending on the role played and change depending on the game mode. In co-op mode, everyone has total control over their own hero.
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Each player can switch to full-screen mode at any time by pressing the top of the controller's cross. This feature is useful for better orientation and visualization of certain key elements of the scenery. Another interesting feature is the ability to swap players during the game, which can be useful if you want to change roles in certain situations.
- But where is the exit?
Each character has a unique skill, which can be activated after a cooldown period. Inho, the male character, has great strength and throws projectiles that allow him to destroy rocks and break planks, opening new paths and revealing hidden places. For her part, Lina, the female character, has the ability to make herself invisible and temporarily invulnerable, while making elements of the scenery appear or disappear. She can thus make her way through enemies in complete peace, reach places out of reach for Inho and take no damage.
Each hero's abilities have the power to change their partner's environment, which is essential to progressing through the game. The success of the quest depends entirely on mutual cooperation, as neither can progress without the help of the other. On the other hand, during the end-of-level boss fights, each player must defeat the boss of their own world solo. The image then switches to the only character concerned, in full screen. Similarly, when playing alone, the camera focuses on the character who has the ability to defeat each of the bosses.
- Boss fight!
Puzzles in tandem
Throughout their journey, Inho and Lina encounter a series of clever puzzles, ranging from simple brain teasers to more or less elaborate logic challenges. For example, they must direct light beams onto mirrors to trigger mechanisms or unlock passages. Perfect coordination is required to adjust the mirrors precisely. They must also cross moving platforms, dodge traps, and solve puzzles that require impeccable synchronization for joint actions, such as exchanging objects via a portal.
- Be careful when opening the doors!
Sometimes, a platform only moves if both heroes jump on it at the same time, which requires good communication between the two players, or good coordination between our two hands. Similarly, to activate certain levers, the adventurers must operate them in perfect harmony, pressing the button together to activate mechanisms.
- Imminent danger in sight
Charming and colorful 2D visuals
- And we hold hands!
Hand In Hand stands out for its 2D aesthetic, with its entirely hand-drawn settings, offering an authentic and attractive visual experience. The game universe draws its inspiration from a fantasy world tinged with a magical aspect, as evidenced by the tower of a castle that appears at the beginning of the game. The enchanting settings are full of meticulous details and transport us to varied landscapes, such as forests shrouded in mystery, dark enigmatic caverns and desert wildernesses, all carefully designed, for a total and captivating immersion.
- A cozy atmosphere
The pleasant and harmonious soundtrack lulls us, composed of soothing and meditative melodies, which adapt to each stage of the game, thus creating a warm atmosphere, faithful to the spirit of the title. The composers were also inspired by the folklore of Eastern Europe to evoke a moving and lyrical narration. The music, conducive to relaxation, is available for download on the game's Steam page and fits perfectly with the general theme.
The perfect symbiosis?
However, we have noticed a technical issue with Lina's character, especially when jumping. Although she is more agile and faster than Inho, there are times when she does not react, despite pressing the A button on the controller (in cooperative mode). This is quite frustrating, especially during sequences where precision and speed are required! We hope that a future update will resolve this issue.
After testing both game modes, it seemed obvious to us that playing alone requires some time to adapt to master the simultaneous use of both joysticks. This is quite disturbing, especially at the beginning, and thus adds an additional difficulty. This is why we strongly recommend that you play it with two people to enjoy an optimal experience.
- Along for the adventure !
Furthermore, the title's lifespan is relatively short since it took us less than 6 hours to complete the adventure.
Tested on Xbox Series X, code provided by the publisher