Humanity

Humanity is an exceptionally good game. Between its smart and challenging puzzles, support for user-created levels, and charming presentation (including quirky visual style and an amazing soundtrack), this is a "must play" for fans of puzzle games. It's also under $30, which is considerably less than many other games today.

After you inexplicably wake up as a glowing white dog in story mode, the first thing gamers will notice is how cleverly your tasks are layered into the levels. The developers gently introduce new commands (and tools) at your disposal to complete each of the nearly 100 levels, so it never feels overwhelming, but becomes more and more challenging with each successive level and themed sections (like Fate and War, when competing hordes of humans are introduced). Besides puzzles, there are action/combat elements and platforming portions to keep things fresh. Trial and error, and a bunch of patience, is required -- but it's oh so gratifying when your Shiba Inu can get the crowds to do what's needed. Along with multiple challenges per level, there are also "Goldies" (gold characters) to collect, if desired, as an added challenge (not required). This nicely adds to the game's replayability -- not to mention the level designer and User mode, to download other people's levels. Reviewed using Steam code (on a Windows PC), I wasn't able to test the VR component, but even on a regular computer monitor it proved to be a real treat (game controller recommended). And it's quite the bizarre sight to witness thousands of people, like ants, all jumping, climbing up ledges, flying into the air or stepping on pressure plates. Humanity is a great action-puzzle game that's worth your time and money. It's an engaging and wonderfully strange title you'll likely play over and over again and tell your friends about.