14 DAY TRIAL // 
FAR: Changing Tides is not a game for those seeking the adrenaline of the combat, the challenge of coming up with a strategy, the precision needed to shave of half seconds in each lap. It does not even have dialogues or complex plot twists. Yet it can be exactly the thing you need to unwind after a long day of work, being equally relaxing and brain cell wrecking.
FAR: Changing Tides looks very similar to the first game developed by Okomotive up to the point that in some fans of the Lone Sails might be struck by déjà-vu. And they might not be wrong at all. It all starts with Toe, a very quiet boy who has to embark on an adventure after his home was destroyed by a flood of Biblical proportions. After a few shy steps and dives he manages to find a strange vessel that increases drastically his chances of survival given that he can singlehandedly control the boat.
But don’t be fooled by the premise, the second FAR game does not turn you into a manager of tasks, nor into a skipper who knows knots by heart. It is more of a very conveniently paced platformer with some puzzle elements included. These two genres have been blended together to create a strangely satisfying dual experience.
When you are sailing you have to keep an eye on the propulsion system may it be wind or fossil fuel based, while most of the time resting your eyes on the scenery. And we are using the rest verb on purpose since there will be plenty of screens in which your sole purpose is to sail and enjoy the world unfolding in the background.
These idyllic moments are interrupted by different obstacles you encounter that need to be removed by direct intervention. These are the moments when you are forced to leave your trusted vessel behind and adventure on foot in different ancient structures in order to remove the hinderances and be able to continue on your apparently pointless tips. With each stop you discover new mechanics and on a couple of occasions you will get rewarded for your efforts by a ship upgrade.
Just like maneuvering the sails, initially the puzzles are quite simple and straightforward. But as you switch to fossil fuel and you have to make the decision about sacrificing items to be used as energy source for the engine of the boat, the puzzles become more and more complex. When you get the hang of carrying back everything to the boat in hope of satisfying the always hungry boiler, you will learn new tricks, like the fact that your ship can function as a submarine as well.
With a few exceptions FAR: Changing Tides lets the gamer choose the preferred method of locomotion, in order to complete the 30 km trip envisioned by the developers. And that is basically the scope of the game. There is no evil to be vanquished, no land to be conquered, no damsel in distress in need of saving. What you get is an atmospheric trip, a vessel that you will care about as if it was a living companion and an altogether artistic and relaxing experience.
Changing Tides can be considered an allegory just as the Lone Sails was but now instead of an endless desert you have to navigate the waters left behind a huge flood. Each and every one of those who are enchanted by the art style of the game, will have to decide for themselves if this concept works for them or not.
Particularly, I found it relaxing and enjoyed exploring around and trying to discover secrets in a world reconquered by nature. Those who are willing to invest 5-6 hours in the game will have their moments of satisfaction, frustration and an ending that comes at the wrong moment, the developers stretching too far the ending.
But the first thing that will capture your imagination about FAR: Changing Tides is the art style. At first or without a proper look it might seem minimalistic, but in reality, is carefully crafted and together with the soundtrack manages to create an atmosphere that envelops you and gets out all the tension from your system. And this seems to have been the main design criteria: create a unique atmosphere that takes you to places, even without complex game mechanics.
The Good
- Incredibly immersive atmosphere
- Great soundtrack
- Beautiful art style
The Bad
- Feels a bit empty
- The ending is too much of a stretch
- Controls can be a bit counterintuitive
Conclusion
Yet, despite its shortcomings, FAR: Changing Tides is just as recommendable, especially if you liked the first game in the series. It has a kind of magic that is worth experiencing at least once, even if the replay value is quite thin. Is it for everyone? Definitely not! But those who look for their games off the beaten path, FAR: Changing Tides won't disappoint.
Review code provided by the publisher.
