Initial release date: August 20, 2024
Developers: Hollow Ponds, Richard Hogg, Richard Hogg Limited
Genres: Puzzle, Indie game, Casual game
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Mac operating systems
Publisher: Finji
Series: Hollow Ponds’ Wilmot
Engine: Unity
It’s always wonderful to be a fan when a game you’ve enjoyed gets a sequel. However, once the hoopla has subsided, I frequently begin to wonder what the sequel might bring to the table. Is more of the same enough for me, or does a series require an intriguing new twist to truly captivate me? Both of these solutions have the potential to provide fantastic new experiences for lucky gamers, but they may also disappoint. If you enjoyed Wilmot’s Warehouse, you’ll be excited to dive into the next Wilmot Works It Out, and you’ll most likely be impressed if you don’t mind a significant change of pace.
Although I did not play our square protagonist’s first outing, I have a general concept of what it’s about. It showed Wilmot working at a warehouse and having to sort blocks into convenient stacks to ensure workplace productivity. Wilmot, like everyone else, wants a method to relax after a long day of work. Wilmot Works It Out is about our hero’s downtime, which includes a lot of squares.
Wilmot is obsessed with little jigsaw puzzles while he isn’t working 9 to 5. Every day, the postman delivers a fresh parcel containing puzzle pieces, which you must assemble. That’s pretty much all you’ll do in Wilmot Works It Out, and I swear it’s more interesting than it seems.
The control method is fantastic, and it is one of the most crucial parts of the game that ensures problem solving is never frustrating. The entire game is grid-based, and simply moving your character allows you to push any components around you. In addition, you can pick up and rotate parts around you, and this is not limited to one piece at a time. Sometimes you just want to grab a bunch of similar-looking items and dump them in a corner to work on, and this allows you to do just that.
Every other time I’ve had to piece together a jigsaw puzzle in a video game, I’ve only had to concentrate on one image, but in Wilmot Works It Out, you’ll have to solve a whole bunch at once. The puzzle firm that sends off shipments for our man Willy is experiencing a bit of a mix-up at the factory, so your orders are all arriving with a few pieces mixed in. Because of this, part of the complexity of the game is figuring out which pieces go together to form a picture, and when a mountain landscape and a hot air balloon action image both have a lot of sky, it becomes a bit of a task.
The pleasant job of solving puzzles provides a very warm and comfortable gaming experience, but Wilmot Works It Out is about more than just putting squares together. Every day when you receive a delivery from the postman, she will have a brief conversation with you. At first, it’s just small talk about the neighborhood, but as you get more parcels, she’ll open up about her life and goals. It’s a nice little story that makes you want to play more and greatly enhances the game.
What you do with your completed photographs is another aspect of the game that contributes significantly to the overall experience. You can hang your finished works wherever you choose on your home’s walls, and as you complete chapters, additional rooms will become available for you to display your favorite colorful creations. Each time you open a room, you may change the wallpaper pattern and color, and whether you enjoy interior design or simply want to hang your favorite items together, it’s exciting to personalize your home between moving blocks.
There isn’t much else to say about Wilmot Works It Out, and how much you like it is entirely up to you. I found it to be a really relaxing experience that I needed in my life. The puzzles are fascinating to put together, the controls never get in the way, and the little bonus features, such as speaking with the postman, truly enhance the game. Wilmot Works It Out is one of the most interesting and lovable cozy games I’ve ever played, and if you enjoy jigsaw puzzles, you’ll probably have a fantastic time with all the colorful squares.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 91%
Controls: 89%
Aesthetics: 85%
Content: 86%
Accessibility: 87%
Value: 90%
Overall: 88%
GREAT!
Summary:
Wilmot Works It Out is a wonderful blend of puzzle-solving and management simulation in which players must efficiently arrange and run a warehouse. The basic yet appealing design and intuitive controls ensure a smooth experience, even as the pressure grows. While the fundamentals are straightforward, the increasing complexity keeps things interesting, and there’s plenty of replayability for those who prefer fine-tuning their organizational techniques. Its user-friendly design makes it simple to pick up, and the enjoyable gameplay loop keeps players engaged, providing excellent value for puzzle enthusiasts.