When I sit down to play a game, I don’t always want a noisy or challenging experience. Sometimes I just want to relax. I often sit on the couch before bed and relax with something low-key, so I appreciate any truly relaxed experiences that put me in a trance. In that case, is it any surprise that I would vibrate with the game of the so-called Melatonin?
Melatonin – discover announcement
The new indie release is a short but sweet rhythm game about a restless dreamer. Its striking visual style immediately caught my attention when I first saw it, but its streamlined gameplay ultimately won my heart. If you’re looking for the video game equivalent of “lo-fi beats for learning and relaxing,” Melatonin is a hidden gem at the end of the year worth spinning.
Go to sleep
Melatonin takes place entirely within dreams. Simple narrative interludes show a character struggling to get a good night’s sleep over the course of five nights (perhaps because they’re trying to crash on a couch covered in Monster Energy cans). Each night, their dreams manifest as a short collection of themed musical levels. The technology dream becomes a mini-game with light weapons where players need to shoot aliens and robots in time, for example. The final challenge each night smashes all of those sequences together into one compilation.
Each level is short, revolving around a simple visual motif and button timing pattern. In one level, I scroll through Tinder profiles using the arrow keys, while in another I simply press the space bar as the hypnotist’s stopwatch swings past the giant eye. Its closest design parallel is WarioWare or The rhythm of the sky, since it has access to microgames. If you like that game’s iconic wrestling interview, you’ll probably like it Melatonin also.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
The experience is entirely dependent on good vibes, and it has no problem delivering those vibes. That starts with its simple controls, which usually revolve around one or two buttons that need to be pressed or held. It’s a game that can be played almost entirely with one hand, leaving me to sit back comfortably while playing. A practice mode appears before each game that explains the correct patterns, but the standard on-screen instructions disappear when the real thing starts. I was worried it might be confusing at first, but I found it easy to pick up and master each game effortlessly.
That ease of play is directly related to its beautiful aesthetics, both in terms of visuals and audio tracks. The entire game has a cool color palette that makes everything feel as soft as a woolen blanket. Levels take place in cycles of cartoon animations that are easy to read even without explicit beat markers. A personal favorite is to use the left and right arrow keys to fill out spreadsheets while daydreaming about my day job. I could skip the tutorial entirely and still know exactly which arrows to press and when thanks to the clean and clear illustrations.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Of course, every rhythm game lives and dies by its soundtrack, and Melatonin delivers there. It contains a selection of light electronic instrumentals that perfectly incorporate sound effects as audio signals. In one level where I take Polaroid photos while holding the spacebar as they pass, the gentle twitch of my lighter becomes an important instrument in its quiet rhythm. Many levels allow you to close your eyes and play with just the sound, making it a potentially more inclusive experience for players who are blind or visually impaired.
Melatonin is a short experience, which I solved in about 90 minutes. The hard mode and editing tool add some extra reasons to keep playing, but I appreciate the brevity here. Its fast levels are the perfect nightcap for anyone who wants to relax with something soft and sweet before bed.
Melatonin out on December 15th for PC.
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn