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Joystiq Tiny Streams: The Impossible Game creates blissful frustration
The Impossible Game is not precisely named. Playing The Impossible Game is certainly achievable, and it is feasible to succeed at doing so. The name of publisher FlukeDude and developer Grip Game's new PC version of the popular mobile platformer refers more to the feeling you get while playing The Impossible Game. As you attempt repeatedly in vain to time rhythmic jumps over plots of spikes, madness sets in. This game isn't meant for conquering. It's only mission is to infuriate and beguile you, much as it does here in Joystiq Tiny Streams. Failure is assured for David Hinkle, and yet he keeps playing. Devilish, The Impossible Game. Devilish. If you want more Joystiq Streams action, we broadcast every Tuesday and Thursday at 4PM EST live on the Joystiq Twitch channel. [Image: FlukeDude]
Torture your friends with The Impossible Game PC's new level editor
When The Impossible Game finally comes out on PC this year, you'll be able to design your own obstacle courses of spike traps and deviously-placed platforms to torture your friends with. Developer Grip Games is introducing a level editor to go along with the five maddeningly difficult levels from the original version of the game. The Impossible Game boiled platforming down to its barest essentials when it first came out, and was insanely, wonderfully addictive as a result. You are a square who can't stop moving. There are spikes you have to jump over, and there's a rhythm you must follow to properly survive. Jumping over those spikes is really, really hard. Hence the name. In the past three years, Fluke Dude has helped bring the game to myriad platforms, from the PSP to Xbox 360 and iOS. Save for the browser-based demo on Fluke Dude's homepage, though, there was never a full PC version. A successful Steam Greenlight campaign last September put the The Impossible Game PC into development alongside its brand new level editor. The editor sounds pretty snazzy, letting you upload songs from your music library to create a rhythmic base for a new level and then simple tools for exporting the level to send to your friends. Fluke Dude has yet to set a price or release date on the game. If you want an early look at The Impossible Game on PC, Joystiq will have a Tiny Stream of an early version of the game this month. Stay tuned. [Images: Fluke Dude]
Portabliss: The Impossible Game (PSP Minis)
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: The Impossible Game. The Impossible Game might actually be impossible -- just really, really damn difficult. That difficulty is belied by a total visual and mechanical simplicity. And yet, despite my persistent lack of success, I keep trying, fascinated by the simple gameplay. Essentially, it's an even more streamlined, more rhythmic version of my beloved Bit.Trip Runner, albeit without all the variety. As ... a square, you jump to hit platforms and avoid obstacles in auto-scrolling levels, moving very quickly and with a very limited view. Make one mistake and you have to start over. These levels are all timed to the tune of accompanying music, so your jumps occur on beat. That's it. But understanding how to play isn't the same as being able to play! The stages move so quickly, and the obstacles require split-second timing and precise jumps, or you start over. And, I'm afraid to say, the game keeps a running count of your attempts, in big print on the top of the screen. Yes, The Impossible Game is intensely frustrating, which makes it ideal for portable play. You play for a few minutes until you get angry, then put it aside. The fact that it's designed for just a few minutes is the "ideal" bit, by the way. I'm not saying it's important to be angry while you're traveling. The Impossible Game is available from the PlayStation Store for $2.99. It's also available on Xbox Live Indie Games, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and even the Nokia Ovi Store. We're always looking for new distractions. Want to submit your game for Portabliss consideration? You can reach us at portabliss aat joystiq dawt com.
