Typoman

Last updated
Typoman
Typomanlogo.png
Developer(s) Brainseed Factory
Publisher(s) Brainseed Factory
Director(s) Bilal Chbib
Designer(s) Zein Okko
Programmer(s)
  • Lino Morales
  • Florian Wurth
  • Tim Schroeder
  • Clemens Schmitt
  • Aaron Grabowy
Artist(s)
  • Arton Rexhëbogaj
  • Lea Dickert
  • Oleg Gorshkov
  • Michael Koloch
  • Zein Okko
Composer(s) SonicPicnic
Engine
Platform(s)
Release
November 19, 2015
    • Wii U
      • WW: November 19, 2015
    • Microsoft Windows
      • WW: August 15, 2016
    • Xbox One
      • WW: February 17, 2017
    • PlayStation 4
      • WW: February 21, 2017
    • Nintendo Switch
      • WW: February 22, 2018
    • iOS & Android (Remastered)
      • WW: July 7, 2022
Genre(s) Puzzle, platform

Typoman is an independent video game developed by German indie studio Brainseed Factory for Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC, and mobile. The game follows a hero named HERO who crafts words to alter the environment around him. [1]

Contents

Gameplay

Typoman features a number of environmental puzzles that are solved by crafting words that are relevant to the situation. For example, players can spell "up" to activate an elevator, or "open" to open a door. [2] Situations become increasingly complicated as the game progresses, requiring the player to come up with puns to manipulate items. [2]

Development

The idea of Typoman was born out of a desire to experiment with typography and gameplay. Brainseed Factory founder Bilal Chbib explains that the original plan was to "have objects and monsters shaped out of letters, and nothing else." [3] As development continued the team eventually decided to implement puzzle based gameplay using letters and words. [3]

The game was originally a Wii U exclusive, and Nintendo showcased the game at the Nindies@Home program during E3 2015. [3] The game launched for Wii U in 2015.

A year after release, Brainseed Factory announced an updated version of the game called Typoman: Revised would be released for PC, Xbox One and PS4. The revised version implements several design and graphical improvements. [4] The PC version launched in 2016, with the console versions following in February 2017.

Reception

The original Wii U version of Typoman received mixed reviews from critics, with a score on review aggregator Metacritic of 57/100. [5] Typoman: Revised for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 was better received, scoring 73/100 and 75/100 respectively. [7] [8]

Critics generally praised the game's concept, atmosphere and art style, but directed criticism towards the game's length. [8]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2015 Game Connection America Awards, San FranciscoBest Console / PC HardcoreNominated [10]
Best CasualWon
Most Promising IPNominated
Deutscher Entwicklerpreis CologneBest GameNominated [11]
Best Indie GameNominated
Best SoundNominated
Best Game DesignNominated
Best Console GameNominated
Gaming Trend's E3 Awards, Los AngelesBest Art StyleWon [12]
Quo Vadis 2015, BerlinBest of Quo Vadis ShowWon [13] [14]
2016 Deutscher Computerspielpreis, MunichBest PresentationWon [15]
German Educational Media Award, MunichBest Youth GameWon [16]
2018 TIGA Games Industry Awards, LondonBest Puzzle GameNominated [17]
Visual DesignNominated

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References

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  2. 1 2 Priestman, Chris (May 18, 2015). "Typoman's dark world is made of letters that you'll have to sort into words to survive". Pocket Gamer .
  3. 1 2 3 Cardoso, Jose (June 27, 2015). "Wii U exclusive Typoman pays tribute to writers and oppressed authors, uses essential GamePad features". GameZone.
  4. Luke K. (August 4, 2016). "Typoman: Revised announced for PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One". Critical Gamer. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
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