In MotionRec, it is usually very obvious what you need to do in order to get Rec the robot from point A to point B. The trick comes from figuring out how to accomplish that with the character’s movement recording technology, which is the whole crux of the platformer. The result is many moments where you eventually feel so smart because you realized exactly how and when to move in order to finally make significant progress.
The world ended, and Rec is one of the few relics left behind. The robot is woken up and tasked with going on a journey to explore what remains of the world. As we do, we’ll solve challenges using their ability to record their own movements and play them back to get past seemingly untraversable areas and figure out what happened.
At the outset, MotionRec seems rather simple. Hold down one trigger on your controller while moving to create a recording of all of Rec’s actions in the environment for a few seconds. Once you saved that, you can press the opposing trigger button to recreate that action. Passing a checkpoint flag, which comes up basically after every apparently impassable area, saves and “erases” that last recorded action. Because of that recording, the robot can then get past areas that would otherwise be filled with hazards or not offer any platforms or footholds. This does mean that, in order to make the recording in the first place, you need to analyze the immediate vicinity to see what sorts of elements are in the landscape that would allow you to recreate the movements you need.
This can be such a brainbuster. But in a good way. Because MotionRec is designed to ease you into it. There will be locations and initial stages that are more or less obvious. After a little exploring, however, you’ll find opportunities that allow for multiple exits to levels and situations where it isn’t blatantly obvious what movements are need next. Frustrating? Occasionally a little, but in the kind of way in which that challenge is a welcome one. It makes you reconsider what you recently did or thing through the steps needed to take to solve that situation. It helps with developing spatial awareness as you figure out what is around you and possible. Procedural efforts come up too, since we need to plot out the exact steps to make progress.
The subtle, monochromatic color scheme and pixelated presentation help with this too. At a glance, the 2D game looks simplistic. Which means nothing is being hidden. There are no tricks here. What you see is what you get, which is comforting. It means there is 100% an answer. You just aren’t seeing it yet. But you will if you pay attention and experiment. And because of that, I felt like it was never stressful or presenting me with “cheap” situations, as it gave me the freedom to take my time to work things out and get creative. It’s very well designed.
It is usually obvious what moves you need to make in MotionRec, and the fun comes from figuring out how to do it. The level design is executed well, so it gradually ramps up the challenge while also ensuring like the resulting solutions aren’t obtuse or popping up out of nowhere. The design is also quite unique, and the pixelated aesthetic suits the situation and allows you to more clearly pinpoint opportunities. Those who love platformers that make you think would probably be able to spend a few fun afternoons with this one.
MotionRec is available on the PC via Steam.
MotionRec
It is usually obvious what moves you need to make in MotionRec, and the fun comes from figuring out how to do it.