I know you all like hidden gems.
Let’s be honest, though. That term gets abused a lot. Too often, popular games get labelled as hidden gems. So for the purposes of clarity, let’s define a hidden gem as a game you
probably haven’t played.
When I say
probably, I mean that it is extremely unlikely that you have heard of it.
And I think
Tiny and Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers ticks that box.
This was an indie game that came out in 2012, and it was exclusive to PC. While it did get a physical release, from what I can tell, it was only issued in Germany. It is very unlikely you will encounter Tiny and Big in the wild.
For an indie game – made by two people, no less – this is as ambitious as it gets. Tiny and Big is no retro-style game with pixel art sprites. It is a full-fledged 3D platformer. Granted, 3D platformers made by indie studios isn’t such a big deal nowadays. But in the early 2010s, few developers were trying this.
But if being an indie-made 3D platformer doesn’t impress you, how about this: Tiny and Big was made with an in-house game engine. It is called the Scape engine, it’s been in continuous development since 2002, and it looks beautiful.
No game engine is anything without great art, and Tiny and Big delivers in spades. This game truly has a unique look, and this is because both developers are professional animators and comic book artists. Thus, while many old games really look their age, Tiny and Big looks as fresh now as it was upon release.
The wonders don’t stop there. Tiny and Big has one of the best video game soundtracks I’ve ever heard. I’m not saying this lightly. The whole game is a quirky mix of jazz, latin, and punk fusion. It is a mood. It is so good that I often find myself playing this game just to hear the soundtrack.
What about the story? The main conceit is ridiculous, of course. You are a nerdy inventor. Someone has stolen your grandpa’s underwear, and you must get it back. I’m won’t go into more detail but the whole narrative is hilarious, and I chuckled more than once.
The game mechanics are truly unique but what really stands out to me is this: you use a laser to cut your own platforms. When you’re at an impasse, you have to study your landscape, find the perfect angle for a cut so you can get from point A to point B. Seriously, how bloody cool is that?
Tiny and Big also runs beautifully on the Steam Deck. While I’ve owned this game for eight years, I must say that playing this with a handheld – suitably on a front porch with a beer in hand – is the best darn way to experience this game. No tweaks needed, it just works!
Black Pants Studio developed Tiny and Big. Other games they’ve made are
About Love, Hate, and the other ones and
On Rusty Trails.
Obviously, I recommend this game. I have nothing but good things to say about it. And I’m not the only one who things so. On Steam, Tiny and Big has a 92% positive rating.
On both Steam and
GOG.com, Tiny and Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers sells for C$15.49. I believe it’s well worth it.
About Love, Hate and the other ones is a puzzle game, in which you influence your surroundings by the force of Hate and the power of Love. They shouldnʻt have pushed the button! Life on the hill...
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