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Doomsday Vault
By Chad Sapieha,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Game about climate change has fun, simple puzzles.
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Doomsday Vault
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What’s It About?
DOOMSDAY VAULT provides us with a glimpse into what Earth might look like many years from now after being ravaged by extreme changes to the climate, with cities that have been swamped by floodwaters or made unlivable due to intense heat. Players take control of a little robotic character who explores these mostly lifeless environments searching for plants that can be saved and brought to a greenhouse vault where they can once again flourish. Play consists of navigating the world and working out how to progress by solving little contextual puzzles. Players may need to, say, flood a room to raise or lower floating creates to create a path, or throw a series of switches to move platforms to create bridges. Later stages require a degree of caution, as walking in front of a camera could trigger an automated security response that releases drones designed to attack intruders. Along the way, players will also find stashes of nutrients that can be collected and used to grow additional plants, and have opportunity to power up machines that work to cleanse excess carbon from the air. The more thorough you are in exploring the world and finding all collectibles, the more rewards you'll earn in the form of pieces of gear and patterns that can be used to customize your little robot's look.
Is It Any Good?
Short but cute, and founded on a positive message that may make players think more about climate change, this is a good choice for players that don't need constant action and epic quests. Despite its warning of what climate change could potentially do to the planet, Doomsday Vault is welcoming in its look and feel. The loveable little robot can be customized in all sorts of fun ways, from changing colors and skin patterns to swapping arms, belts, helmets, and backpacks. And the world, though empty of human life, is bright and colorful, with a dreamlike electronic score to keep you company. It's pretty fun, too. The variety of puzzles are such that no one type outstays its welcome. Each new environment brings with it new challenges and abilities, whether that means blowing up rocks and other obstacles to reveal hidden paths and collectibles or figuring out how to transfer some of your robot's energy to power up long-dead machines without running out of power yourself.
The only things keeping Doomsday Vault from really soaring are its shortness and some slightly clunky controls. Skilled players may be able to finish the entire game in just a few hours, though finding every last stash of nutrients in each level will take a little more time, and there's not much in the way of replay value. And while exploration and puzzle solving are pretty straightforward, the controls can be a bit annoying. The world's essentially a grid, with our robot moving between squares. But since it's viewed from an isometric perspective (down and at an angle), it can make using a left/right/up/down-oriented d-pad or even a thumbstick feel a bit awkward. But moments of true aggravation are few and far between. If you're looking for a quick little play with a surprisingly feel-good vibe, you could definitely do worse than Doomsday Vault.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about screen time. Doomsday Vault levels are fairly short, with most lasting no more than 15 minutes, so how many stages do you play before feeling satisfied and willing to move on to a non-screen activity?
How do you think the world's climate will change through your lifetime? Is there anything you can do as an individual to reduce your personal impact on the Earth's biosphere?
Game Details
- Platforms: Mac , Nintendo Switch , Windows
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Flightless
- Release date: August 5, 2021
- Genre: Puzzle
- Topics: Activism , Robots , Science and Nature
- ESRB rating: E for No Descriptors
- Last updated: August 5, 2021
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