Games like Bioshock and Portal asked players some interesting questions about instructions in games - do we ever think about what we're asked to do? Depict1 is a low-fi platform game that takes the idea of a menacing in-game helper to extremes.
Each short level requires you to reach a goal, as in most platform games, but the in game instructions are often misleading - even down to the controls! Essentially this is a puzzle platformer, and it goes out of its way to frustrate you! This actually makes the game quite funny, because you are made to feel the game doesn't want you to play!
Some of the rooms are very tough, but you have infinite lives and they're all short, so you'll complete them eventually. Graphically, depict1 is very basic, as is the sound. The most annoying thing about the game is that you can't skip the talking, or speed it up, and neither can you save.
Starting the game from the beginning repeatedly is pretty dull, which is a shame because each new level seems fresh and enjoyable. Once you know what to expect from the malicious 'help' in the game, there's less reason to play it again.
While it has its problems, depict1 is a great concept and a lot of fun the first time you play it.
