A Retro Treat
When indie developer Nexcide, the creators behind Beta MAX, sent me a key for their single-player game, I wasn't sure what to expect. Puzzle platformers have never been my strong suit, but I’ve dabbled in a few—Portal, for example. While I appreciate their charm, I often find them more of a chore than an enjoyable experience. However, as soon as I booted up Beta MAX, I was instantly captivated by its vibrant retro-futuristic look and catchy soundtrack. It brought back wonderful memories of my childhood gaming adventures!
Beta MAX doesn’t waste any time diving into the action. You meet Max, our adventurous hero, who just moved into a new home with his mom. In true 80s style, he finds himself home alone and gets sucked into his TV after playing a VHS tape that clearly warns “DO NOT PLAY.” But hey, where's the fun in following the rules? If you’re not familiar with what a VHS is, that might mean you’re a little on the younger side! Once Max is inside the tube television, things get interesting with a fantastic soundtrack and an eye-catching virtual world my first thought was how amazing it would look in VR!
You Are The Master of Time
Beta MAX encourages players to think outside the box and push their gaming skills. Your main tool is the TV remote you bring in with you, which lets you pause and rewind time at will. You'll find yourself using these cool abilities all the time! Plus, the remote allows you to manipulate certain objects in the environment as you tackle increasingly tricky levels filled with fun challenges like vanishing bridges, lasers, and oversized Rubik's cubes that make things exciting (and a little nerve-wracking) as you try to escape.
What I love about Beta MAX is that it doesn’t hold your hand. After a short (but super helpful) tutorial, it's up to you to figure out how to solve each puzzle, dodge obstacles, and use your abilities to progress. In one memorable level, I had to think in reverse to find my way out. There are also time chambers where Max can stand safely, allowing him to pause the chaos while still interacting with the world around him. One level had me strategically placing blocks on switches to trigger events in just the right order, then jumping into the time chamber to rewind and activate everything perfectly.
Another puzzle used moving platforms that were intentionally out of sync to make casually jumping across nearly impossible. It was here that I learned the true power of the pausing feature as some of the platforms could be paused while others kept moving. I found myself jumping and pausing time midair to catch platforms as they passed by, repeating this method until I reached the other side.
Beta MAX Is Equal Parts Fun and Challenging
Even when I faced tough puzzles, Beta MAX kept me engaged and entertained. The best part? You can’t fail! If you accidentally touch a laser or get squished, the game simply pauses, giving you a chance to rewind and try again before your mishap. Your only true opponent is yourself, and even the timer rewinds, so you can focus on making progress at your own pace.
In an era where everything is on tablets and cell phones (Including your TV remote), the futuristic-retro feel is an amazing balance of old-school tropes with an almost cyberpunk-like aesthetic making for a truly unique experience.
If you’re a fan of games like Portal, Braid, and Superliminal, I highly recommend giving Beta MAX a shot. You can also catch my thoughts in a brief review in our podcast episode titled 2024 Game Awards Highlights: Let's Talk Nightreign. Ready to dive in? You can grab Beta MAX on Steam right now! Happy gaming!
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