Factotum 90
- June 20, 2016
- TACS Games
Short, simple and fun, Factotum 90 is a must-have addition to any puzzle game fan's collection. With a unique premise and an interesting plot, it only ever tries to be exactly what it is and offers enough of a challenge to be a satisfying experience. A refreshing addition to the ID@Xbox collection.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreYou’re in deep space and something’s collided with the ship. Main power is offline and you’re trapped. It’s lucky you have access to this terminal. It’s a little old but with these two robots and some clever thinking you might be able to get power back online and save the day. Control two walker robots and puzzle your way through 30 levels to restore power, reactivate the life support and solve th…
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Reviews
- Factotum 90 features engaging puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty, providing a satisfying challenge without becoming frustrating.
- The game has a charming aesthetic and a humorous narrative, enhanced by well-executed voice acting and a polished presentation.
- Controlling two robots in a split-screen format allows for innovative puzzle mechanics and cooperative gameplay, making it a unique experience.
- The game requires a controller for optimal play, which is not clearly communicated before purchase, leading to potential frustration for players without one.
- Some tasks can feel like busywork, and the lack of an option to turn off the elevator music can be annoying.
- There are occasional glitches, such as robots falling through the floor, which can disrupt gameplay, although restarting the game often resolves these issues.
- story5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The story features a humorous and engaging narrative set in a damaged deep-space ship, where players use robots to investigate and restore functionality. A British character guides players through the levels, providing context and commentary, though the overall plot lacks surprising twists.
“And the story was engaging as well, with a fair bit of humor to it.”
“The story is that there's been some type of damage in deep space on the ship, and you're using these robots to investigate and navigate to get the ship running again.”
“You've guided by a British guy who does a good job with the script; he'll introduce each level and interject every now and then, although the story isn't going to surprise you at all.”
“Guiding you on your quest through this future-70s ship is another crewmember stuck in a different part of the vessel.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a well-structured progression of puzzles that increase in difficulty and complexity, ensuring players are never left confused about mechanics. Innovative mechanics allow for unique environmental interactions using one arm at a time, while the design effectively teaches players how to utilize each new element introduced.
“The puzzles gradually build in difficulty and complexity, and there wasn't a moment where I felt like I was missing a detail about a puzzle mechanic.”
“Mechanics are introduced gradually, and the design of puzzles does a good job teaching you what you need to learn from each mechanic.”
“Game mechanics are innovative as you can interact with the environment using two arms but only one at a time.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features an engaging story complemented by a notable sense of humor, making it a fun and stylish puzzler. Players appreciate the lightheartedness woven into the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
“And the story was engaging as well, with a fair bit of humor to it.”
“It is a fun little puzzler with a nice sense of humor and great style.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the soothing soundtrack that enhances the relaxing atmosphere, others find the inability to turn off the elevator music frustrating. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, despite some players wishing for more control over it.
“Lovely graphics and a soothing soundtrack set the tone for a relaxing game that uses its ideas in really interesting ways.”
“The elevator music can't be turned off, there's no 'always run' button (and you will want to always run, as walking speed is quite slow), you collect data packets with no apparent benefit, and there's a vague air of clunkiness to the whole thing.”
“One thing I would like to have seen is an option to toggle off the music, but that's the only real negative I have.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their polish and evolution from the original, contributing to a relaxing atmosphere complemented by a soothing soundtrack. Reviewers appreciate the retro styling and innovative visual ideas, highlighting the impressive quality for an indie game.
“Lovely graphics and a soothing soundtrack set the tone for a relaxing game that uses its ideas in really interesting ways.”
“Graphics have evolved significantly and are definitely more polished than the original Factotum, giving an overall 'amazing work for a single indie' impression.”
“In my opinion, it's a great indie game with a fantastic retro graphical style and control system.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from a modern game.”
“Character models are poorly designed and look like they belong in a much older title.”
“The environments are bland and uninspired, making the game visually unappealing.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by its fun and engaging environment, complemented by strong production qualities that enhance the overall experience.
“Terrific game, fun puzzles, enjoyable atmosphere, and high production quality.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its smooth performance and polished optimization, indicating a well-executed technical foundation.
“Overall, this game runs smoothly and has been polished to perfection.”
“The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how well the game manages resources, ensuring a stable frame rate throughout.”
Critic Reviews
Factotum 90 Review
Short, simple and fun, Factotum 90 is a must-have addition to any puzzle game fan's collection. With a unique premise and an interesting plot, it only ever tries to be exactly what it is and offers enough of a challenge to be a satisfying experience. A refreshing addition to the ID@Xbox collection.
70%Factotum 90 Review
The few people out there who actually own a Wii U might be aware of a well-received strategy puzzle game by the name Factotum. Well, the developers TACS Games have chosen to completely overhaul the game and get it out to a wider audience with the Xbox One release of Factotum 90.
70%Factotum 90 (Nintendo Switch)
I enjoyed Factotum 90 much more than the original Factotum. Complete with updated graphics and smoother controls, I would say the Nintendo Switch game is the definitive version. I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re into puzzle-solving games.
80%
