At its core, Fez is a puzzle-solving game. But it’s also one that requires thought, reflection and a willingness to break your own assumptions about the world in which it takes place.
Its world map consists of different ‘floors’, with bigger nodes/rooms linking several of them together. Each ‘floor’ can be accessed in four different ways, and each way offers new perspectives on the environment.
Collect all the cubes
Fez is a 2D puzzle platformer that combines multiple elements to create a unique twist on the genre. Players control Gomez, an adorable sprite who lives and perceives the world as a two-dimensional flat plane until he’s given a fez and discovers that his world is actually one of four sides to a three-dimensional cube. The game was well-received upon release in early 2012, with critics praising its emphasis on discovery and its unique perspective-shifting mechanic that has been likened to the 2D-3D shifts found in games such as Braid, Echochrome, and Nebulus.
Throughout the game, players collect cube shards and anti-cubes, solve complex puzzles to access secret rooms, and even try to find the three special red cubes that are rumored to reveal the true ending of the game. The game is incredibly layered and a lot of the puzzles are intentionally confusing in order to deter players from looking up online solutions.
Open up your chests
Fez is one of the best puzzle platformers in years, and now its mobile version lets you take it anywhere. Its main mechanic involves flipping the world at 90-degree increments to see new perspectives, and it uses this in a wide variety of clever ways.
For example, you can use your perspective-shifting ability to align ladders, create runways for moving platforms, and even close the distance between two faraway walls in order to climb up or down them. In addition, you can open up your chests to find treasure maps that help you unlock more secrets.
While Fez’s whip-smart game mechanics count for a lot, it also has an undeniable charm that’s informed by a love of vintage classics. This is apparent from the regular references to Mario and Zelda, but it’s most evident in its retro-inspired electronica score.
Look for the treasure maps
Fez is a game that embodies the joy of discovery. It is a 2D platformer in a 3D world, and its main mechanic involves shifting your perspective to realign obstacles. This is used to solve puzzles and explore areas that would be impossible to traverse otherwise. This also allows you to find secret doors that lead to new rooms, which can contain cubes, cube fragments, or even a treasure map.
The game starts with Gomez living in a peaceful, two-dimensional pixel village. He then receives a fez that reveals his universe’s biggest and oldest secret: there are actually three dimensions. He then embarks on a journey that takes him to dozens of small, medium and large rooms. These are grouped together on the world map as nodes and hubs. The largest nodes contain warp gates, which make it easier to travel around the map.
Don’t get stuck
Fez is one of the best indie games of all time and it’s finally on mobile. It’s also one of the most challenging games to play, especially if you don’t go into it with the right mindset.
One of the game’s most crucial mechanics is rotating the 2D world around you, allowing you to access new areas by simply shifting perspective. This is used for everything from solving puzzles to traversing islands. It’s a brilliant system that gives you an incredible sense of satisfaction when you manage to solve a problem by simply moving your point of view.
It’s a feeling unlike any other, not like the badass high of a good shooter or even the narrative satisfaction of a good RPG. It’s a feeling that teaches you something, letting you feel smarter every time you rotate your screen.
Don’t forget to collect the cubes
Fez uses a low barrier of entry to get its hooks into players and open up its world. It doesn’t punish you for getting stuck and never gives the impression that if you can’t figure out how to solve a puzzle somewhere on the map you should just come back to it later.
This makes the game a joy to play. Sure, there are some jump-for-it moments that demand twitch reflexes, but most of the time you can take your time and just explore. This allows you to think and discover new things in a way that few modern games offer. There’s no need to rush or consult the internet, as answers are almost always right in front of you. The trick is to know where to look for them.