The Playdate gets its Monument Valley

The Playdate's Latest Acquisition: Diora, a Perspective-Twisting Puzzle Game that's sure to Test Your Brain

Andrew Webster has once again proven why he's one of the most skilled puzzle game enthusiasts around. In his latest review for The Verge, Andrew dives into a new title on the Playdate handheld console, Diora, a game that promises to challenge even the most seasoned gamers.

Diora is an ambitious game that turns the conventional approach to puzzle games on its head. By using a simple yet effective mechanic – you control your character with a crank on the handheld's controller – Andrew discovered a world of intricate 3D landscapes and brain-twisting puzzles.

What sets Diora apart from other titles on the Playdate, however, is how it plays with perspective. The game forces players to constantly shift their viewpoint in order to progress through levels. This adds an extra layer of complexity that will keep you guessing for hours.

The author draws a comparison between Monument Valley and Fez, both critically acclaimed puzzle games known for their innovative perspectives. Diora shares these qualities but introduces its own unique flavor by grounding the architecture in reality rather than M.C. Escher-inspired impossibilities.

While this added realism does come with some drawbacks – including no hint system or clear instructions on how to approach a challenge – Andrew emphasizes that it also highlights the game's overall design philosophy. Each level requires players to make precise decisions and consider multiple factors when solving puzzles. This may take time, but Diora's checkpoint system ensures that even when you fail, you won't be stuck replaying an entire section of the game.

Ultimately, Diora proves that developers can still push the boundaries of what is possible on a handheld console like the Playdate. Even if you're not well-versed in puzzle games, Andrew argues that this title's unique approach and immersive atmosphere make it perfect for short breaks or extended gaming sessions.

The author concludes by praising Diora as one of his top recommendations for puzzle fans seeking a challenge on the Playdate.

just played diora on playdate and i gotta say its crazy how they turned perspective into a game mechanic its like a whole new world opened up . love that it doesnt hold your hand but makes you think hard about the puzzles...its like, totally worth it . also dont be put off by no hint system or clear instructions at first just get used to it and youll be solving levels like pro

I just spent like 10 minutes trying to figure out how to crank my way through that first level of Diora and I'm already frustrated . But in all seriousness, this game is like the opposite of relaxing – it's like someone took all the stress and anxiety of everyday life and put it into a puzzle box . I mean, I love puzzle games, but some of these levels are like "why did you make me do that?" . Still, if you're looking for something to challenge your brain and keep you on your toes, Diora's definitely worth checking out .

omg u guys i just tried Diora on my playdate and it's SOOO mind boggling ! i mean i'm not even great at puzzles but this game was still giving me a hard time i love how they incorporated perspective twist in every level, its like you gotta think outside the box (or in this case, outside your screen lol) and i totally get why Andrew said it's similar to Monument Valley & Fez, those games are like my fave too ! but at the same time, Diora has its own unique vibe that's not just about fancy visuals, its actually challenging you in a different way. and yeah, sometimes i got stuck and had to restart from scratch but it was worth it because then i felt accomplished when i finally figured it out

Diora is like that one friend who always pushes you to think outside the box . It's not just another puzzle game, it's an experience. I mean, who needs hints when you can just figure it out yourself? But seriously, Diora's unique perspective mechanic is so cool! It's like your brain gets a workout while playing. And yeah, some parts might be tricky to get through at first, but that's part of the fun. The game's design philosophy really shines through in its checkpoint system too - it's not punishing, just encouraging you to try again and learn from your mistakes . Overall, I'd totally recommend Diora to anyone looking for a challenge on their Playdate .

OMG u gotta try diora!!! its sooo mindblowing u control ur character w/ a crank and its like, 3d landscape madness lol but what makes it stand out is how it plays w/ perspective. its like, you gotta shift ur view all the time or else u get stuck . its kinda like monument valley or fez but w/ more realistic architecture and honestly, its super challenging even 4 me . dont worry if u fail u can just start again from a checkpoint . its def worth it tho!

Diora is like that weird cousin at the family reunion – you're not quite sure what to expect, but it's gonna blow your mind! I mean, who thought putting a crank on a handheld controller was a good idea? Genius, that's who! Andrew Webster must be a secret wizard or something, coz' he just makes all this stuff seem super cool. Perspective-twisting puzzles are like my grandma's gossip – it'll keep you guessing and sometimes make your head spin! On a serious note tho', if you're into puzzle games, Diora is defo worth checking out. It's like the cool kid in school who always has an answer to every math problem... or something

OH MY GOSH i just started playing diora on my playdate and i am HOOKED!!! it's like nothing i've ever played before, the whole perspective thing is SO mind-bending and the puzzles are ridiculously hard but in a good way . i love how it challenges you to think differently about spatial reasoning and stuff. plus the graphics are STUNNING and the atmosphere is so immersive. i can already see why this game is getting so much hype!

omg u gotta check out diora on playdate!! its like, so mindblowin how they used perspective to make puzzles that will keep u guessin 4 hours lol i mean yeah it can be tricky w/ no hints but thats part of the fun rn i loved how it made me think outside the box & appreciate the realism in the architecture also if u r a puzzle game newbie like me, diora is def the perfect game to get u started

I'm so over Diora, it's just too much perspective-twisting stress . I mean, who needs that kind of complexity in a handheld game? It feels like they're trying to force-feed you some fancy puzzle game credentials rather than making it fun and accessible for everyone. And don't even get me started on the no hint system – good luck figuring out how to solve those puzzles without completely stumping yourself! I'll stick with my old-school puzzle games that just let you relax and have a good time, not this brain-twisting, reality-grounding nonsense .

Ugh, I'm getting so sick of these new games coming out for the Playdate... like, what's up with the crank mechanic in Diora? It's just so gimmicky . I mean, I get it, trying to control your character with a crank is supposed to be clever, but it's just not that intuitive to use. And don't even get me started on the lack of hint system... how am I supposed to figure out what I'm doing without any hints or instructions? It's like they're trying to make us all puzzle enthusiasts feel stupid.

And another thing, what's with the constant perspective-shifting? Can't we just have a simple game for once? I mean, I know it sounds shallow, but some of these games can be so overwhelming and stressful. Diora is like the ultimate brain-twister, but sometimes that's just not what I'm in the mood for.

I do have to give credit to Andrew Webster, though... he does a great job of explaining the game's design philosophy and how it all works together. And the atmosphere in the game is pretty immersive, even if it can be a bit frustrating at times. Still, I'm not convinced that this is the kind of puzzle game I want to play on my downtime .