GNOG is… uh… weird.
Totally weird, actually.
Like really, really weird.
So weird, I don’t really know where to begin describing it.
“Was this inspired by those huge Olmec heads like Xtapolapocetl from The Simpsons?,” I inquired while playing. “No, we were thinking more Mighty Max and Polly Pocket,” Ko_Op studio director Saleem Dabbous fired back.
GNOG – pronounced “nog,” as in “noggin’” – is a colorful point-and-click puzzle game that takes place inside a variety of disembodied creature heads. The puzzle elements take place on both sides of the head, so you have to flip back and forth to see what your actions have affected on the other side.
Similar to The Witness, when you first jump into puzzles, you don’t really know what you’re supposed to do, so part of the challenge of the game is hitting every switch, button and lever to see what it does. Soon you’ll start seeing the patterns and method to the madness, and once you solve a puzzle, you’re treated to a trip-tastic light display, some trance diddies and the satisfaction of knowing you unlocked another big-ol’ monster noggin’. All in all it’s a very cute, chill, Zenlike experience.
GNOG should be available soon for PSVR and 2D PS4, with Steam and iOS versions following later.
