Age Twisters Hands-on Preview – Co-op for All Ages
Krafton had a statement to make at this year’s Gamescom, having a large presence with many new titles announced during the show. Among them was a new cheery, brightly colored, family-friendly co-op platforming game, Age Twisters.
We spent some hands-on time with this game while at the world’s largest gaming expo, and have our impressions ready now.
Bright, Cheery, Nuanced
One look at Age Twisters and it’s clear: the pastel, cel-shaded art style is meant for everyone. There’s no graphic violence, mostly slapstick humor, and the stakes stay relatively low (at least they did during our session). The game stars two characters: a granddaughter and the grandfather who takes care of her because her mother has been missing for several years. They don’t have names, at least no legal ones, but we know the granddaughter is affectionately called Butterfly.
What if you could change your age at will? Well, that’s exactly what the two main characters in Age Twisters wind up being able to do, once they strap on magical watch-like devices sent to Butterfly, seemingly from her long-lost mother. With this newfangled gadget, the two set out to figure out what happened all those years ago.
Certain Toys for Certain Ages
Age may just be a number, but in Age Twisters, it also comes with abilities. While you can switch your character’s age at any time by pressing either shoulder button, certain puzzles will require abilities of a particular age in order to progress. Each age range has abilities and gadgets unique to it; for example, the toddler range gets grappling hooks to cross gaps, while the teenage forms get musical instruments that can alter the speed of objects and projectiles.
Most (likely all) puzzles involve both players working together to reach an exit, unlock a door, defeat multiple enemies, or some combination thereof. The puzzles don’t get too complicated, and according to Piccolo Studio’s Co-Founder and CTO Jordi Ministral, that is by design. The idea is that Age Twisters can be played by people of all ages, and at all skill levels/familiarity with gaming in general. Much like It Takes Two, only perhaps even easier to pick up. That said, the puzzles we saw during our short hands-on time were challenging enough to still provide a dopamine rush once figured out. They aren’t so easy that they insult your intelligence, yet they are also not planned to be too difficult such that they end up blocking progress for more than a few tries.
More Than Meets the Eye
Age Twisters features a mostly lighthearted story, but even in the brief time we spent with the game, it was clear there was more to it than that. Family secrets can run deep, and here it seems there is much more to the mother’s disappearance than one might initially assume. As with any good family-friendly tale, the story has layers you can appreciate on the surface, but it also offers deeper meaning for those who seek it.
Age Twisters has the potential to be a bridge between generations of gamers. It has moderately challenging puzzles for those familiar with gaming, mixed with no true fail states to help those less experienced with gaming still have a good time.
Like co-op games such as It Takes Two, A Way Out, and others, it is designed to be enjoyed with friends and family, whether in the same room or not, for some good, wholesome fun. A Friend Pass will also be included, meaning that only one person has to own a copy of the game for two people to play online. Compared to the other games Krafton had on display at Gamescom, it was unique, intriguing, easy to understand, entertaining, and a breath of fresh air in the co-op space.
While there is no release date for Age Twisters, expect MP1st to cover the game’s development and eventual release.
Age of Twisters is confirmed for release on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and PC.
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