The idea of typing out words to solve puzzles seems an odd one, but Supertype makes it work extremely well.
Each puzzle presents you with open spaces to type letters in, some kind of block or obstacle and a small black pellet you need to crash into so as to win the level. To get that annoying little black pellet, you need to pick the right letters to write down.
Different letters have different shapes; different bits sticking out from different directions. Supertype does a great job at reminding you how weirdly varied our English alphabet can be.[sc name=”quote” text=”Supertype does a great job at reminding you how weirdly varied our English alphabet can be.”]
You use P’s and Q’s to pivot around obstacles, or U’s and J’s to try and swing around smaller blockers. All this variety creates an amazing challenge; not only do you need to keep in mind the shape of letters, you actually need to consider their physical effects on the environment to try to reach the objective.
Sometimes the only way to reach the objective is to utilize a very, very small, specific part of a letter. In some cases, you need to use the slimness of an I or an L, whereas other times, the gaps to break through are even smaller than that. In those circumstances, using I’s or J’s, as their lowercase forms contain a helpful dot that breaks away, allowing it to roll right into victory.
Supertype is one of those few mobile games that manage to blend in education with gameplay. Not only are you learning more about the alphabet and the shapes and variety they possess, but you’re practicing your spatial awareness.
Each level will see you trying out a different variety of letters, maybe even writing individual words. Sometimes the correct letters to solve a puzzle are not the specific letters themselves, but the ones around them.
For example, as whenever you type your letters, they drop down a short distance; different letters react in different ways to the fall. P’s and Q’s will fall right or left, respectively, allowing them to influence the letter adjacent to them.
All this combines to turn Supertype into an incredibly complex, yet easy to understand puzzle game. The variety of gameplay is further enhanced by the inclusion of line puzzles – sometimes, the letters are already written, so you only need to draw the obstacles with which to affect the letters with your fingers.
This latter addition to the game feels like it could be its own game entirely, but in Supertype, it just feels like a brand new addition that keeps the gameplay feeling fresh consistently.[sc name=”quote” text=”This latter addition to the game feels like it could be its own game entirely, but in Supertype, it just feels like a brand new addition that keeps the gameplay feeling fresh consistently.”]
Supertype is an odd, odd game. It is part writing, part drawing, part spatial awareness, but it’s a whole lot of fun. You will be challenged, intrigued and, every so often, just a little bit frustrated, but you can always work out the solution in the end.
It takes inventiveness, creativity and a little bit of outside the box thinking, but you’ll get there in the end.
[review pros=”The variety of gameplay is constantly fresh. The type of puzzles offered feel entirely unique and interesting.” cons=”The drawing system feels like it belongs to a different game, but is still very fun.” score=9]
[appbox appstore id1349292121]
[appbox googleplay de.kamibox.typo]
