TIC: Part 1 Review

We have deviated from our new style of reviewing Xbox LIVE Indie Games via the “Indie Zone” episodes, this is a very special occasion as the team at Red Candy Games has astonished us from the beginning to the end of TIC Part 1.

The game follows the main character,TIC, a mining robot in his quest to rid his province of all the mining drills tearing through the beautiful landscapes and tormenting the Molepeople. The ultimate goal of the game is to bring down EvilCorp, the company putting these drills and mining equipment in place through the beginning of the TIC saga.

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Gameplay wise, TIC is a well thought out platformer with some surprising challenges put in-between the three playable chapters (with nine additional challenges) as you hop, roll and hover your way through the beautiful 2D stages. While traversing the levels, you’ll be told to collect a certain amount of acorns scattered all throughout the levels (even in the sky) to power up your drill and find a way to stop these mining drills. As a bonus to the gameplay, if you’re up for a challenge or are a completionist like me you’ll love the challenge modes, and the surprises hidden when you get 30 acorns on any given level and seek out a certain Molepeople member (you’ll figure it out.)

Graphically, TIC is by far the best looking Xbox LIVE Indie Game I have ever played, really. It is absolutely stunning to see what a small group of Independent developers can do in eight months on a project they put their heart into which is clearly seen through the colorful, thoughtful, and all around beautiful artwork the game has from beginning to end on every single little detail. Really I don’t have much more to say about how great these graphics are at all, I mean just take a look at the screenshots.

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Now on to the sound department, while these tracks are great while playing the game there’s no part of me that screams “I have to have that soundtrack!” But then again, there is nothing to complain about. Sound effects sound great, same with all the sound engineering put into this game all to make it just that much better with its catchy tunes that will stick around your head for a little while, especially if you take on the extended challenge levels.

Overall, this game is truly an Indie gem on the marketplace that everyone should pick up for the bargain price of $3 right this second. However, with a short campaign set of three chapters that’ll last you 2 or 3 hours, and the challenge mode that will have you coming back for another solid few hours while you’re stumped trying to find that last acorn or two hidden in the perfect spot it is definitely worth your spare time.