Back to Bed

Back to Bed is one of those rare puzzle games that keeps me captivated with its graphics as much as its gameplay. A true diamond in the rough, this title walks (or sleepwalks) that fine line between level difficulty and worthwhile epiphany, making it a delight to tackle. Each stage presents a challenge that perfectly scales off of the last one, meaning the pacing feels appropriate throughout the entire game.

Our protagonist, the narcoleptic Bob, likes to get up in the middle of the night (or whenever I guess) and take a little stroll through Dreamland. As an extension of Bob's subconsciousness, your job is to keep Bob safe while he walks through the Dreamland. You are represented as "Subob", a four-legged, spandex-clad version of Bob with pointy, ear-like...antennae? I'm not sure. Maybe you're Bob's spirit animal.

Bob will slowly walk straight forward until he hits an object, at which point he will turn clockwise. If Bob walks off the edge of a level, he mercifully drops right back into his starting spot and continues walking. You can't stop Bob yourself, he will walk right through you, but you can place down giant apples to get him to turn. As the levels progress, you will eventually get to use flat sardines to bridge gaps for Bob to walk across. Yes this game is weird, but delightfully weird.

The real star of the show is the incredible, eye-popping level design and art style. Somewhat reminiscent of Monument Valley, the platforms and parapets are crafted in the image of an M.C. Escher painting, meaning sometimes you will find yourself walking on the walls (or re-examining your perspectives) in order to solve puzzles. Layered on top of this are visual elements you would typically see in a Picasso piece, and this combination creates a stunning, living world that is just as fun to look at as it is to play on.

After you get the hang of guiding Bob around, the game starts to throw "enemies" at you that will wake Bob up if they come into contact with him, which will...kill him? The game seems to imply that if Bob wakes up before he gets to bed then he will perish, but really all it does is make you restart the level. The only downside to restarting a level is you have to pick up and set your objects again, which isn't much worse than when Bob falls off the edge.

Some of these enemies can be destroyed, some cannot, and some manifest based on what square Bob is standing on. None of them add too much trouble to completing a level, but some achievements can only be obtained by interacting with them in one way or another. 

There are cut scenes, but as far as what they are trying to accomplish, I can't be sure. There really isn't a story outside the explanation of the mechanics, but I guess it would seem odd if there were no context to what Bob is doing. It never really advances any kind of plot though.

Overall, I enjoyed my time, however brief, with Back to Bed. If the levels were stark or bland, it wouldn't have nearly the same effect on me, and I can't see myself playing it again, but for the price asked it contains just enough value to recommend as a unique spin on the genre.