Handshakes
- January 13, 2023
- Trumpetguy1.0
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Handshakes" is a puzzle game where players help characters achieve connection by moving hands through levels to shake each other's hands. The game features achievements, a speedrun leaderboard, level selection, and upgrades. A supporter pack is available for those who want to show their support, which includes the soundtrack and a digital bio & postmortem PDF.
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Steam Deck
Web Browser
Windows
Android
Linux
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Xbox
Reviews
- gameplay78 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and intuitive mechanics, focusing on a core concept of connecting hands through a series of 30 progressively challenging puzzles. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics, which keeps the experience fresh and engaging without overwhelming them. While the game can be completed in under an hour, it offers enough variety and clever design to remain enjoyable and addictive throughout.
“The gameplay is easy to learn and slightly difficult to master; as the challenge slowly ramps up the further you go.”
“The different mechanics that get introduced throughout the different levels are combined beautifully in the later stages, complementing the simple base gameplay and creating a complete experience.”
“With 30 levels of varied difficulty, new mechanics are introduced as you progress, keeping the gameplay fresh and interesting.”
“Explores a simplistic mechanic (you must join the hands) and it's over before you get bored.”
“On one hand, the game is incredibly simple (both in gameplay and visual standpoint), and can easily be beaten in less than an hour; but on the other hand, it's also free!”
“These mechanics could be used to create some devilish puzzles, but they've limited themselves to a feel-good level of difficulty.”
- music50 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and suitability, enhancing the overall experience with catchy and upbeat tracks that fit the puzzle-solving vibe. While some players noted that the music could become repetitive, many found it enjoyable enough to keep on during gameplay, contributing to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, complementing the simple yet appealing art style and gameplay mechanics.
“The music is charming and fitting for a calm low tension puzzle game; the graphics are simple and clear sprites, I adore the little smiling folks.”
“The background music is quite relaxing and really fits the whole vibe of the game.”
“This is a great puzzle game with a great song to go with it!”
“The music got a little on my nerves at the end, but overall it was pleasant.”
“The music is too loud, but other than that, it's a cool idea.”
“Clever puzzles and bad music, worth the price!”
- graphics39 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a simple, charming, and minimalist art style that resonates well with its puzzle design, evoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of retro games. While some users note that the visuals are basic and could benefit from improvements, they still appreciate the endearing animations and quirky aesthetics that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the graphics effectively serve the game's purpose, contributing to its unique charm and enjoyable gameplay.
“The game’s minimalist, endearing art style pairs perfectly with the easygoing puzzle design.”
“The graphics are lovely, the levels are very unique, and the best part is that it didn't take all that long.”
“Enchanting graphics, easy mechanics, and an addicting speedrun feature.”
“Graphics reminded me of the sokoban graphics found in Windows 95 shareware CDs, or early flash games.”
“Graphics is not something to write home about, but this is a puzzle game, so it gets the job done.”
“Handshakes features a simple pixel graphic art style in a limited colour palette using mainly block colours and minimal shading.”
- humor20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it both funny and silly, often laughing at its absurdity and simple mechanics. Many reviews highlight the comedic elements of the characters and gameplay, particularly the quirky handshakes and the overall lighthearted tone. Despite its short length, the game delivers a consistently amusing experience that enhances its puzzle-solving aspects.
“Really neat sokoban-esque puzzle game that throws in lots of simple, yet funny mechanics that can be used in many brilliant ways.”
“Honestly, it's so hilariously dumb, I love it! I was cracking up the whole time about how silly this looks with the handshakes.”
“Funny and hard, will make you think a lot :)”
- story17 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around two friends who engage in a humorous yet profound quest to shake hands, highlighting themes of human connection and the challenges that come with it. Players appreciate the engaging narrative and character development, with many finding it emotionally impactful and worthy of expansion. Overall, the story is described as both educational and touching, resonating deeply with players.
“Very educational, incredible plot development and very diverse characters to play as!”
“I cried at the end, beautiful storytelling and character acting 10/10”
“It just seems dishonest to me to leave this part out of the story.”
“- story: two dudes are able to flex their arms in unholy ways and choose to spend their life trying to shake each other's hands, and risk life and limb (mostly limb) to do so.”
“Handshakes is a story that explores the struggles of reconciling our need for human contact and the trials and tribulations we must face when pursuing that desire.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players expressing joy and sadness through its romantic and wholesome storytelling. Many reviewers noted that the game made them cry, particularly due to its beautiful narrative and character interactions, while also providing a sense of accomplishment through engaging puzzles. Overall, the game successfully combines touching moments with a surreal atmosphere, creating a memorable emotional experience.
“I cried at the end, beautiful storytelling and character acting 10/10”
“First game that made me cry, great story”
“They're so romantic I cried <3”
- optimization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game is highly optimized, allowing it to run smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including low-end systems. Users consistently praise its ability to perform well even on minimal specifications.
“Performance and optimization: can run on anything, even on potatoes.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding mechanics to be generally engaging, with some noting that certain actions can feel tedious, such as manually pushing buttons. However, the game successfully avoids becoming overly intricate or monotonous, introducing new concepts in a way that keeps the experience fresh and enjoyable.
“A button that just retracts an arm since manually pushing it back is tedious.”
“Grinding feels tricky but never enough to become tedious.”
“The game never gets so intricate that it becomes tedious and introduces new concepts gracefully.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a harmonious blend of challenging puzzles and a lighthearted tone, creating an enjoyable experience for players of varying skill levels, while also featuring a deep and immersive environment.
“It strikes a great balance between brain-stretching puzzles and a lighthearted atmosphere, providing an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels.”
“The atmosphere feels shallow and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is flat and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
“The world feels lifeless, with an atmosphere that doesn't draw you in or make you care about the environment.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight that the inclusion of a speedrun mode significantly enhances the game's replayability, offering a fresh challenge and encouraging multiple playthroughs despite a relatively short initial playtime. Overall, the game is seen as providing endless fun through its replayable features.
“Of course, you may see my 3-hour playtime and think 'wow, it's a long one' or 'wow, he's a bit slow,' but the speedrun mode definitely adds to replayability.”
“- Replayability: endless fun”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report a high level of stability, with many noting that they have not encountered any bugs or glitches during gameplay.
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization model is praised for being superior to typical mobile puzzle games, as it features no advertisements, enhancing the overall user experience.
“Better than mobile puzzle games because it has no ads.”
