Degrees of Separation Review (Switch, PS4)

Every once in a while there comes a gaming studio that most of the mainstream media has never heard of, and they drop a title that is so unforgettable (in a good way) that they permanently edge their name into the digital stone of gaming history.
That would be the case of Degrees of Separation, a Co-op platformer developed by a small Norwegian gaming studio that will both warm your heart and cool your nerves.

The premise

The first two verses of Robert Frost's "Fire and Ice" state: "Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice..." . Well, Degrees of Separation is a testament to those words, since you control avatars of these two primordial powers to get past any obstacles that you may face. The only difference is that they don't end the world; they are just trying to find one for both of them. The story is rather simple really: You control Ember, a girl that holds dominion over fire and all that is warm in the world, and Rime, a boy who commands the frigid winds of winter and can control ice. While at first, the premise may seem like a cheap "elemental" take on the whole "Romeo and Juliet" mythos, as you play the game, you'll realize that they managed to take this motif of two different beings working together and turned it into a form of digital art.

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The graphics

As far as the graphics are concerned, they're spectacular. The neat way the developers mixed 3D and 2D elements and the fine attention to details make the game so visually captivating that you won't mind just looking over the shoulder of whoever borrowed your controller, just as long as you can still look at the screen. This fine attention to the visuals is further emphasized by the way the developers managed to recreate the feel of both a sunny summer (or late autumn) environment, as well as the crystalline-filled lands of winter.

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Fire and Ice, not Fire vs Ice

The story and graphics go hand-in-hand very well as to express the duality of the two protagonists. Ember and Rime like (love) each other, but unforeseen powers allow them to be within touching distance, but without actually being able ever to touch. Both Ember and Rime divide the screen in two, each side modifying the environment as to their respective powers. This does not only lead to the most recognizable aspect of the game, but it is also the key to solving most of the game's challenges.

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The environment is whatever you want it to be

Both characters are played differently, and they each have a different feel to them. Ember seems more agile and can jump further up, allowing her to get to ropes and ladders that are beyond Rime's reach, while Rime is stronger, allowing him to move objects that Ember otherwise couldn't. Of course, their powers also affect their playstyle and the way they move around the environment. Since Rime's presence freezes everything around him, all the water affected by his presence turns to ice, and therefore a solid platform that he can walk on. On the other hand, Ember could simply swim through it (the fact that a fire-themed girl can swim in water unaffected is probably the only intentional slip-up I found in the game).

The gameplay

The puzzles and obstacles within the game become harder and harder, and solving them is nothing more but a question of who can trigger what, and where should one be positioned as opposed to the other. Degrees of Separation can be played in both singleplayer and Co-op mode, although the latter is more advised since it allows you to go through the game a lot faster, as long as both of you know what you are doing. Given the pseudo-romantic nature of the game, it is also a very good title to try with your significant other, crush, spouse, etc. When considering whether to play it in singleplayer or Co-op, you need to ask yourself: Will I have to buy another controller?  Not necessarily Will I have a good time with my significant other if I do buy it?  Undoubtedly!

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One downside is that the puzzles seem to get too difficult at some point, and while not being impossible to overcome, they can be a real killjoy if you choose to play in singleplayer mode. More so, some of them are so complicated that you'll literally be facepalming yourself when you realize how simple the solution might have been.

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Differences between the Nintendo Switch and the PS4 version of the game

As far as looks and gameplay mechanics go, there aren't any apparent differences between the Switch and PS4 versions of the game. However, it should be noted that the PS4 version does have some moments when it doesn't display the subs for the narration. More so, both versions of the game sometimes have their brief moments when the characters disappear from the screen, which is rather annoying considering most puzzles are solved through proper positioning of both Rime and Ember. Admittedly this could be easily repaired with a minor patch.

The Good

The Bad

Conclusion