Unbox: Newbie's Adventure

Released

Release Date: September 5, 2016

An unusual 3D platformer game based on physics. It was developed by Prospect Games, studio whose employees co-created such games as GRID 2, DiRT Rally, and LEGO Jurassic World. In Unbox, we assume the role of self-delivering cardboard boxes, and our task is to test this revolutionary courier technology in all possible ways.

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Plot
Mechanics
Game modes
Technical aspects

Unbox for PC, PS4 and XONE is an original, physics-based 3D platformer in which we assume the role of self-delivering cardboard boxes. The game’s premise was created during the EU4 Game Jam contest in which the developers had to create a game powered by Unreal Engine 4. The final product for PC, PS4 and XONE was made by the independent Prospect Games, of which some employees previously worked on such titles as LEGO Jurassic World. The Manchester-based studio put a great emphasis on creativity and experimenting with various technologies such as advanced physics engines or the Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets.

Plot

The game puts us in the shoes of testers of a new revolutionary technology, namely, self-delivering packages. Before this solution goes public and changes the traditional postal services forever, it has to be thoroughly tested first. This is where the players step in. Assuming the role of cardboard boxes, they have to their potential of motor skills.

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Mechanics

Unbox draws inspiration from many classical productions that the developers played in their youth, for example: GoldenEye, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Kart, or Marble Blast. Therefore, the title offers typical three-dimensional platformer mechanics complemented with elements of several other genres such as logic, action, racing, and even fighting games. The foundation of the gameplay is the utilization of physical properties of a cardboard box – in Prospect Games’ product, they can not only roll and jump but also use a few kinds of weapons (for instance, flares, fireworks, mines, traps, or black holes). To identify better with the cardboard “protagonist”, the developers also prepared various unlockable skins and accessories that can be applied to our hero to provide it with a unique and special appearance.

Game modes

Unbox for PC, PS4 and XONE allows us to play either solo or in a split-screen multiplayer mode for up to 4 players (the title does not feature an online gameplay). Depending on the chosen mode, our task can involve collecting a given amount of collectibles, reaching a destination before our opponents, or defeating them with the use of available weapons. The production offers a tournament variant and – for the creative folk – the possibility to create your own game mode based on your rules.

Technical aspects

Thanks to building their game on Unreal Engine 4, the developers of Unbox were able to combine simple mechanics of a classical platformer game with elements of other genres and high-quality three-dimensional graphics. While playing, we will visit visually attractive, well-modeled locations such as mountains or island, in both an exotic and a winter atmosphere.

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