We’re massive fans of anything PixelJunk. Anything. If there was PixelJunk bog roll we’d buy it; we’ve even got a PixelJunk t-shirt that we share between us, sweaty and stinky but loved all the same. So when Q-Games’ Dylan Cuthbert has something to show, we watch, like dough eyed schoolkids.
Eden is the latest PixelJunk title, following on from the cool and under-rated Racers and the sublime and universally acclaimed Monsters, which Dylan broke the name of in our first interview with him back in September. All Dylan would tell us about Eden back before it had a name was that ‘it’s crazy and fun in yet another direction‘ and by golly he was right.
So, we’re on the cusp of the game’s big unveiling, but allow us a moment to whet your appetite: Eden is a platform game, a psychedelic, flowing, organic platformer, unlike anything we’ve seen before. The game, strictly in 2D (as with the other PixelJunk games), involves the player controlling a ‘Grimp’ who’s sole task is to collect ‘Spectra’ by jumping and spinning between the ever evolving flora that spans the 10 levels.
The key ingredient here is Pollen, which is left behind by the odd floating creatures – collect it and deposit it into the seed pods and more plants and platforms can be created which will obviously allow you to climb ever higher. Grimps (the game supports 3 players) also have a thin line of silk that allows Pitfall style swinging from leaf to leaf, and doing a full circle will reveal the direction of the next Spectra, creating a soothing, peaceful exploration in single player but a crazy mad dash with friends.
All this is backed by incredible 1080p aesthetics and wonderful audio from Baiyon and makes for yet another unique, engaging cult classic from the PixelJunk team. Look out for Eden soon.