Heavenly Bodies
Gameplay 8
Graphics 9
Sound 9

Heavenly Bodies combines fun and frustration, featuring hapless cosmonauts trying to complete tasks in zero gravity. Even mundane actions, such as pulling switches and wielding tools, are more challenging due to the control scheme. It is certainly not a game for the easily frustrated, as the physics-based gameplay and intentionally tricky controls can wreak havoc on your carefully laid plans. However, struggling through the missions with a friend is hilarious and rewarding.

Gameplay: Requires a controller to be played properly but offers a lot of fun despite the frustration.

Graphics: The whole visual aesthetic of the game is excellent.

Sound: Excellent soundtrack and sound effects

Summary 8.7 Outstanding
Gameplay 0
Graphics 0
Sound 0
Summary rating from user's marks. You can set own marks for this article - just click on stars above and press "Accept".
Accept
Summary 0.0 Terrible

Heavenly Bodies

Developer: 2pt Interactive | Publisher: 2pt Interactive| Release Date: 2021 | Genre: Puzzle / Simulation / Indie | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Steam

There has always been something a little eerie about watching those grainy vintage films about early space missions. Perhaps it’s the unfathomable depths of space or the looming sense of dread that something could go wrong at any moment. But, of course, if something did go wrong, there was very little that could be done from Earth for the brave souls risking life and limb in the name of scientific progress. Heavenly Bodies by 2pt Interactive perfectly captures this feeling of being a 1970s space cosmonaut who has to rely on their own skill and ingenuity to complete a series of challenging missions in zero gravity.

Heavenly Bodies opens with players arriving at a space station and immediately tasked with restoring power to the facility. Although players can tackle the game alone, it is clear that the missions were designed with local co-op in mind. It is still perfectly playable in solo mode, but mishaps are never quite as hilarious, and there’s nobody else to blame when things invariably go very wrong.

While the missions in Heavenly Bodies are all very straightforward, the big draw for this title is the control scheme and physics. Instead of being given complete control of their cosmonauts, players can only control their limbs. This is also the reason why the game was very much designed with a controller in mind. Each analog stick is dedicated to an arm, while the triggers are used for grasping. Players can also use the shoulder buttons to pull up their cosmonauts’ legs, but this feels a bit cramped, so it’s a good thing the buttons can be remapped. It obviously takes a while to get used to the controls, and the lack of gravity also increases the challenge exponentially. The result is a game that can be toe-curlingly, teeth clenching frustrating, but somehow highly entertaining and addictive at the same time.

At the start of each mission, players receive a guidebook with clear instructions on what needs to be accomplished. These objectives include launching a telescope into space, establishing a healthy garden to replenish oxygen supplies, and even retrieving mineral samples from an asteroid field. Each mission is broken down into a series of smaller steps. For example, players must attach the top and bottom solar panels, receiver, and processor to assemble the space telescope while unpacking the cargo delivery and removing the lens cap after attaching the lens. Accomplishing any of this with debris swirling about, players crashing into each other, or momentum sending players careening off in the wrong direction is as challenging as it is funny.

The only way to move around efficiently in Heavenly Bodies is to push, pull, and twist your astronaut in the right direction. This is challenging enough on the default “classic” mode, but opting for “Newtonian” mode makes it even trickier. Thankfully, the game also has an “assisted” mode that allows cosmonauts to float in the direction they are pointed without struggling too much. Once all the objectives have been completed, players must return to the command console to radio in their success. Even with the stiff challenge, the seven missions on offer don’t take too long to complete, but thankfully, there are some optional objectives for players to sink their teeth into, too. Not only does each level have a secret collectible to find, but to complete the challenges, players might have to complete levels within strict time limits or use the Newtonian mode.

Visually, Heavenly Bodies is a great-looking game, and the developers used archival space photography and technical illustrations as inspiration for the style. The result is a game that captures the clean and clinical look of a space station and the vastness of space. However, since it is a physics-based game, there’s also plenty of debris along with wires and whatever is not tethered swirling about. In addition to cosmetically contributing to the chaos, these objects can hinder your efforts to get from point A to B. Heavenly Bodies is a 2D game, but the camera can twist as your cosmonaut changes orientation. Fortunately, it is possible to orient the camera again with just a tap of a button, provided you can get your cosmonaut to stay pointed in the right direction long enough.

As with the visuals, the developers of Heavenly Bodies have done a great job with the sound design. The soundtrack is there when something interesting happens but fades into the background when you are trying to focus on solving the challenges in your way. The sound effects are equally impressive, and the various hums, beeps, and alarms perfectly capture the otherwordly feel of the space station. The controls are obviously intentionally rage-inducing, but that’s kind of the point of the game. It often feels like anything that can go wrong does, and it’s hard not to grimace when you attempt to pull a lever, and instead, your cosmonaut manages to wedge their head between the lever and the wall. It’s also not uncommon to painstakingly inch your way towards something only to mess up and overshoot your target or go flailing off in a different direction. A special mention should also go to the mineral mining mission where the craft you pilot feels like it was designed to fly you off into deep space instead of toward where you want to go.

Ultimately, the amount of fun you’ll have with Heavenly Bodies will depend on how much patience you have and how tolerant you are of frustration. Missions are not very long, and the inclusion of checkpoints is welcome, but we suspect that some players might lose a controller or two in the process if they are easily frustrated. We strongly suggest taking a partner along for the ride, but it is a pity that only local co-op and Steam Remote Play are supported instead of a proper online mode. Since there’s no split-screen, it forces players to stay close together, which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how clumsy you or your partner is. Overall, though, we thoroughly enjoyed Heavenly Bodies, and the challenges kept us returning even after completing the missions. As with all of these physics-based games, it is not going to be something for everyone, but if you are not scared of the challenge, there’s a lot of fun to be had here.

System Requirements

  • OS: Windows 7 64-bit and greater
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia GTX 660
  • DirectX: Version 10
  • Storage: 2 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Controller Recommended
  • OS: OS X 10.12
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Storage: 2 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Controller Recommended

Related posts

A Hat in Time

A Hat in Time

Help Hat Girl retrieve the time pieces that fuel her spaceship in this colorful and charming 3D platformer. It is definitely a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre and offers a rip-roaring adventure across large, colorful levels. The hat swapping antics and the way in which the game constantly switches things up certainly makes for an engrossing experience. It is not without its flaws and could have benefited from a bit more polish, but what is on offer should definitely not be missed if you have fond memories of classic 3D platformers. Gameplay: Solid 3D platforming action and plenty of variety. Graphics: Bright, colorful and more than delivers on its promise of being “cute-as-heck.” Sound: The soundtrack is great and the game even features some nice voice acting.

Devil’s Dare 悪魔の挑戦

Devil's Dare 悪魔の挑戦

Devil’s Dare isn’t afraid to challenge you and mock you for your pitiful skills, but it is also very rewarding and surprisingly addictive. The pixel art visuals are very stylish, although a little on the monochrome side, and packs a lot of charm. The lack of online co-op is obviously a bummer, but understandable for a game like this. To get the most out of Devil’s Dare you are going to have to actually play it enough to become good at it, which is something that can’t be said for many games these days. Graphics: Charming and detailed pixel art visuals, but not a lot of color. Sound: The music sounds like something straight out of the Arcade era. Gameplay. Unforgiving, but very rewarding and addictive.

Serious Sam 3: BFE

Serious Sam 3: BFE

Serious Sam 3: BFE is not as colorful or over the top as its predecessor, but it is still a great title for players in search of frantic action. The game slows down a little too much in some parts, but few other games can come close in terms of the sheer mayhem when all hell breaks out. It is definitely a game that is best enjoyed with some friends as there are plenty of co-op modes and options to keep everyone happy. Gameplay: The campaign starts a little slow, but overall the game still has plenty of action. Graphics: It is not as colorful as Serious Sam 2 and definitely shows its age, but some of the set pieces and enemies remain impressive. Sound: The soundtrack is excellent, and the iconic enemy sounds are all present.

Isbarah

Isbarah

Isbarah is not a game to approach if you are looking for an easy challenge or rewards that you don’t have to work hard to earn. The game requires quick reflexes, plenty of practice and a lot of dedication to master. It is definitely rewarding though, and taking down bosses many times your own size while they are covering the screen in projectiles is quite a rush. It is not for the faint of heart, but if you are up for the challenge you simply must try out the game. Gameplay: The blend of platforming and bullet hell works brilliantly. Graphics: Beautiful 2D art with excellent character designs. Audio: Adrenaline pumping tunes.

Heart of the Woods

Heart of the Woods

An engaging storyline that reads like a modern day fairytale, beautiful artwork by Rosuuri, and a stellar soundtrack makes Heart of the Woods a must-have visual novel. As long as you are not scared away by yuri content, this visual novel has plenty to offer with great characters, sweet romances and a plot that isn't afraid to take a few dark twists. Overall, this is one of the best western visual novels on the market and one that will be hard to beat by the competition. Gameplay: Very few choices, but the gripping story makes up for this. Graphics: Stellar artwork by the very talented Rosuuri. Sound: No voice acting, but the soundtrack is great.

Creature Romances: Kokonoe Kokoro

Creature Romances: Kokonoe Kokoro

Creature Romances: Kokonoe Kokoro is a typical slice of life visual novel, with one exception, the love interest is a grotesque humanoid grasshopper. Unfortunately, the game simply ignores this fact, so the story progresses just like a typical, bland high school romance. The game can also be completed in less than an hour and features one choice that leads to one good or two bad endings. Overall, this game can be skipped as it has very little to offer. Gameplay: Short, simple, and extremely bland despite the monstrous characters. Graphics: The CGs are rather disturbing, but that's probably the point. Sound: The music is unremarkable, but the game does feature full Japanese voice acting.

Leave a comment

1 + twelve =