Finding a cooperative video game for a group of more than four players quickly becomes a puzzle. A small independent Japanese developer finally comes to us a solution for our lively autumn evenings: Pico Park, a puzzle game for two to eight players that made us laugh until we cry… and also howl with rage.
Online or gathered in front of the television, the players, armed with their controllers, must collaborate to solve a host of puzzles all more interesting than the others. At one point, we each control their own little character, we take the short ladder to a teammate to achieve an objective or we push with all our strength on an obstacle. At another, we all control the same character, either in turn or all at the same time.
The key, then, is to communicate. It only takes one inattentive player to destroy our plans, which are so well put together. The result is giggles, cries and, often, fingers that point to the culprit. Fortunately, the puzzles of Pico Park are cut into short levels that we can quickly start over … once our laughing eyes are quickly wiped.
A recent evening can attest to this: this little game from independent developer Teco Park can quickly become addictive. “Another try! »« One last level! We will have heard these words more than once.
Our little fellows sometimes show great teamwork to overcome the obstacles that stand between them and victory.
We think of those delicious levels in which our six avatars were attached to each other. Some players had to make a big leap into the void to grab a key while the others, perched high, had to secure them. An act of trust … or extreme madness. We also remember with a smile those levels where flying in formation on board small rudimentary planes was a matter of high aerobatics.
But now, these little pixelated monsters also fall to their loss, since gravity sometimes plays tricks. On the other hand, it is in the failure that we had the most fun.
Released a while ago on the Nintendo Switch and now offered for a few dollars on Steam with an online multiplayer mode, there are similarities between Pico Park and the game phenomenon Among Us. A way to get together after too long a period spent on their own.
And this time it will be, we hope, in person.