Figment 2: Creed Valley

Figment 2: Creed Valley dives into the human mind and perfectly balances the story, gameplay, and visual design to present a complete package worth checking out.

Ever since the movie Inside Out (2015) came out, I’ve always thought about the beings inside my body looking after me. Figment 2: Creed Valley plays on that idea of anthropomorphic creatures helping from within. Whether that’s through trauma, depression, or stress. In the game, you take on the role of Dusty, the mind’s courage, and along with your friend Piper, the mind’s optimism, you have to battle foes known as the Jesters in puzzles that incorporate music to its core. Does Figment...

With a wide selection of puzzles to solve and a fantastic art style to enjoy, there’s a lot to like about Figment 2: Creed Valley. Whether or not you’ve played the first, this is a worthwhile, albeit short, jaunt for anyone who enjoys puzzle-solving and adventuring. It’s just a shame we’ve encountered a few bugs while playing. Maybe hold off jumping in for a week or two until they’re (hopefully) fixed.

Figment 2: Creed Valley feels like Bastion met Psychonauts. It’s an adorable action game set within the four walls of a troubled mind, delivering a colourful albeit shallow journey to enlightenment.

Looking at Figment 2 from any angle other than a strictly aesthetic one makes it seem lacking. But because it executes its sights and sounds so expertly, it’s really hard to identify where it’s lacking. It’s so well-polished and tangible passion has gone into crafting it that, so long as you have a good vector on what to expect, it’s still possibly a good time. I think I just might be too cynical and jaded to connect with its kindness and optimism.

Figment 2 is a good sequel but lacks the novelty of the original. Many of the story beats and mechanics feel familiar from the original and the lower stakes take awaay some of the emotional impact. That said, I do appreciate a more down to earth piece of storytelling and think there is plenty of room in gaming for more of this. It's a perfectly pleasant game, but it also won't stick in the memory as well as the original.

This game delivers an impactful experience I won’t soon forget!