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Digital Trends
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
To a T review: imperfection defines Katamari Damacy creator's new game
To a T MSRP $20.00 Score Details 'To a T's well-intentioned story about inclusivity misses key nuances about disability.' Pros Inventive gameplay Creative controls Catchy music Well-meaning story Cons Weaker back half Mixed messaging on disability Lacking accessibility options 'Why you can trust Digital Trends – We have a 20-year history of testing, reviewing, and rating products, services and apps to help you make a sound buying decision. Find out more about how we test and score products.' There's no such thing as perfection. Just look at To a T. Recommended Videos The latest project from Uvula, a small studio co-founded by Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi, is a celebration of life's imperfections. It's an oddball game about a kid stuck in a perpetual T-pose who is trying to, quite literally, fit into the world around them. That's no easy task when you're dealing with grade school bullies who will take any opportunity they can to get a laugh at your expense — or trying to figure out where the sun went all of a sudden. Wackiness and sincerity come together to form a charming twist on the typical adventure game formula that has its heart in the right place. Considering that thematic intent, it's no surprise that To a T is, itself, proudly imperfect. Its experimental spirit leads to a compact story that packs a lot of creative swings into eight disjointed chapters. I can learn to appreciate the structural imbalance as a byproduct of originality, just as I can forgive some unsightly bugs and camera issues, but it's harder to fully hand wave away root problems. As a story that wades into grounded conversations about disability amid cosmic silliness, To a T struggles to do its subject matter with the nuance it needs despite its best intentions. Inventive gameplay To a T's best quality is the fact that you can't box it in with easy genre descriptors. I could be reductive here and call it a narrative adventure game that unfolds like a playable anime season, but even that wouldn't do its playful creativity justice. So let's start with the basics instead: To a T follows a 13-year old, gender-neutral child whose arms are permanently outstretched, turning their body into a T shape. Their story is split into eight episodic chapters, each around 30 minutes, that focus on how they go about their daily life with such a unique condition. It's a tightly directed narrative game framed through fixed camera perspectives, but one that gives players a little free time to explore a small town, collect coins, and buy outfits between chapters. Each episode even has its own intro and outro sequences complete with original songs that are total earworms. The project is consistently at its best when it's about exploring its protagonist's daily life. Like Katamari Damacy, this is a game that's just as interested in the controller as what pressing buttons actually does on screen. In the first episode, I need to help the kid get ready for school. When I sit down to eat a bowl of cereal, I need to pivot one stretched arm over to the box to grab it using the right joystick and then carefully tilt it to pour the cereal. I then need to do the same for the milk carton, using my left stick this time. The sequence ends with me leaning in to pick up an elongated spoon that stretches from my hand to my mouth and eating by flicking the stick up and down. It's a standout little scene that plays unlike anything else. And that's how it should be, because no other game stars a T-shaped hero, afterall. Original moments like that make for a consistently charming first half that's all about adapting to the kid's world. What begins as a fight with the controller soon becomes second nature to my hands. I repeat the same morning routine a few more times, quickly finding that I'm able to brush my teeth or wash my face with just a little practice. Later, I learn to raise my hand to answer a question in class by tilting my entire body to one side. In the story's wackiest moment, I discover that my arms make it so I can turn myself into a human tornado by spinning my right stick quickly. There are even a few Mario Party-esque minigames sprinkled into chapters, like one that has me catching falling scoops of ice cream with a cone in each hand. It's a flurry of inventive gameplay ideas that really leaves you to ask why so many games follow the same stale formulas when there are so many ways to approach interactivity. It's a place where nothing is 'normal,' which also means that it's rarely boring. That creative spirit does go a little off the rails in the story's back half. The last four chapters trade in pleasant slice of life scenes for left-field bottle episodes starring the story's wider cast of characters. While that does help add some dimension to the world, giving a little spotlight to the child's mother and trusty dog companion, it takes the story in a completely different direction that feels a little more concerned with being surprising than cohesive. Though more damning is that those episodes simply aren't as fun to toy around with as they ditch the imaginative T-shaped gameplay for nearly half of the five hour runtime. Though I was less engaged during those moments, it's still always enchanting to see the oddball world fully reveal itself. This is a town where kids live out very mundane routines, brushing their teeth and going to gym class every day. That happens in the same breath that they buy lunch from sandwich artist giraffes and get their hair cut by a crab. The story goes to some truly out of this world places, but it never feels at odds with the world Uvula creates here. It's a place where nothing is 'normal,' which also means that it's rarely boring. That's true of the game itself, too. Grappling with disability What's more of a struggle for To a T is the well-meaning, but messy conversation about disability that it opens. On a surface level, it treats its subject matter with the level of kindness and sensitivity that it deserves. The protagonist's condition is wacky, but it's approached like a real disability that they've learned to live with. Their life is filled with assistive tools like a unicycle to get around town or a faucet that points up. They have a cute service dog that helps them get dressed in the morning and flush the toilet. They've even figured out how to navigate a world that isn't built with them in mind, knowing how to get through narrow doors by walking through them at an angle. As silly as the visual is at first, these moments are rarely played for laughs long term. Players must learn to adapt to the kid's life experience, hopefully giving them a better understanding of how real people with disabilities move through life. To a T is too wishy washy about what it actually wants to say. Those good intentions do eventually butt heads with the story's goofy twists, though. Sometimes it means teetering into tropes that are divisive in the community it portrays. The tornado ability I discover is a fun gameplay idea, but it plays into a hotly debated 'my disability is a superpower' trope as it becomes a tool I use to save the day when no one else can. More problematic is a late game twist that's meant to take the story to one last wacky height, but heavily 'others' its hero in the process. We're repeatedly asked to think of this as your average kid, but later shown that they're anything but. It works too hard to paint them as special instead of normal, a self-defeating decision that's bound to make it divisive. What I find most frustrating is how much a game that deals with disability doesn't seem terribly interested in making itself broadly playable to that community. There's an accessibility menu in the game, but it only features one single option that makes spinning easier. It's not like the game couldn't have used more options either. The standard button layout occasionally has me twisting my fingers in knots so I can sprint while shining a flashlight or performing other actions. The fixed camera angles occasionally obscure where I am on screen and make it hard to navigate. Plenty of games fail when it comes to accessibility (just look at Blue Prince, which launched without crucial colorblindness options), but it's especially jarring to leave them out of a game where its hero uses assistive tools. The problem, as I see it, is that To a T is too wishy washy about what it actually wants to say. It uses topics like disability and body image issues interchangeably when those are two very separate discussions. Someone with limited mobility faces specific challenges that aren't fully analogous to someone dealing with bullying over their weight, for instance. The story ultimately arrives at a generalized conclusion about how there's no such thing as perfection and we should celebrate one another for who we are. It makes good on that idea in subtle ways, like choosing to leave its main character as a genderless kid who can be dressed up in any clothing, but the multiple topics it tries to bring together do not call for a one size fits all approach to storytelling. It's all a little Sesame Street in its approach, boiling everything down to a thin 'we're all just a little different' conclusion that feels insufficient. As clumsy as it may be, though, I can't fault To a T for trying to craft an inclusive story that's delivered with sincerity. It's heartening to see a video game story that centers disability and encourages players to connect with one another's experiences through play. It's not perfect, but nothing is. To a T challenges us to reject the status quo, both in the way it experiments with a well-trodden genre and in its story about embracing our differences. The view out your window is bound to get boring when you see the same thing every day. To a T was tested on PC.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
11 best escape rooms in Singapore to get lost in adventure
If you are looking for a team bonding activity in Singapore, why not try escape rooms? Escape rooms are adventure games in which players, often in teams, work together to find clues and complete tasks within a themed room to 'escape' within a set time frame. Check out our list of the 11 best escape room games in Singapore to break free from. Trapped Escape Room is one of the largest escape rooms in Singapore. With 7 themes and 25 chambers, it features over 70 props with animatronics and non-playable characters. If you are a fan of enigmatic themes, you have got to try the Ravenhill Asylum Room (3 to 12 pax, 75 mins). The mystery of the disappearance of Alisha, a schizophrenic patient, has led numerous detectives to come by to uncover the truth but to no avail. Players will be tasked with investigating the asylum, where they will find key evidence to crack the puzzle. An off-peak 75-minute game costs S$28.90 from 11am to 6pm on weekdays. A peak 75-minute game is priced at S$34.90 from after 6pm on weekdays and on weekends. Students just have to pay S$28.90/person for a game after 6pm daily. 176 Orchard Road, The Centrepoint, #03-26, Singapore 238843 +65 6994 3430 Daily: 11am – 10pm | | LOST SG's outlet at spans over 2,500 square feet. It features 5 unique escape room games. From their beginner-friendly Alcatraz to their new creation the Mausoleum, you will be challenged with up to 11 other friends. Their outlet can take up to 56 players at a time. If you don't mind jump-scares, try out their Aokigahara 2.0: Mysteries of the Sea of Trees (3 to 12 persons, 60 mins). Enter the shadowy depths of Aokigahara, a dense forest at the ominous base of Mount Fuji, which has become the site of a search after a young schoolgirl vanished. Tasked to find the lost girl, your journey is fraught with peril. An off-peak 60-minute game costs S$23.90 from 11am to 5.30pm on weekdays. A peak 60-minute game costs S$29.90 after 5.45pm on weekdays and on weekends. 1 Selegie Road, #B1-03/04, Singapore 188306 +65 6717 1688 / +65 6255 0095 Daily: 10am – 9.30pm (Last game starts at 9.30pm) | | Xcape Singapore is an escape room provider, offering immersive experiences where players solve puzzles and escape a room. The firm is known for its elaborate sets and engaging plots, making players feel like they are characters in a movie or video game. If you are a sucker for horror games, give their Joker (Haunted) (4 to 8 persons, 75 mins) a go. Rumour has it that inside the dilapidated house lives a wretched, human-devouring clown who feeds on fear. The townsfolk are tormented all year round, so your team has decided to risk your lives to venture into the ancient house and break the curse. An off-peak 60-minute game costs S$24 before 6pm on weekdays, an off-peak 75-minute game costs S$29 and an off-peak 90-minute game costs S$34. A peak 60-minute game is priced at S$30 after 6pm on weekdays and weekends, a peak 75-minute game costs S$35 while a peak 90-minute game will set players back by S$40. 161 Rochor Road, Bugis Street, Singapore 188436 +65 6908 1918 Daily: 11am – 11.30pm | | Inmers is a company that specialises in creating immersive escape room experiences, particularly those with an Asian horror theme. They are known for their advanced game mechanics, intricate designs, non-player characters, and cutting-edge audiovisual effects. They offer the following 2 types of horror escape games: The Medium (4 to 8 Persons, 90 Mins, S$88): The story is adapted from folk stories along the Thai-Myanmar border. A father, who lost his son in a tragic accident, wants to use his wizarding skills to perform a ritual to revive his son. You agree to help him out. Break Through the Soil (4 to 8 Persons, 90 Mins, S$68): A dissembled body is found in Nanshui Village. The suspect is an elderly person. But with the death of the suspect, the only witness is her grandson Stone. Hypnotise Stone and enter his mind. For a full list of locations, refer here. +65 9132 8088 Daily: 11am – 9pm | | The Escape @ Science Centre blends the escape room concept with the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and a dose of theatricality. The site consists of 3 themes: Museum of Humankind, Shangri-La and Dr. X. Each offers a different world for players to immerse themselves in. Take on the role of the last humans alive, bots trying to flee a glitching metaverse, or desperate people searching for a lost pal. No worries, you can bring your phone into the room. Feel free to snap away and tag them. A ticket costs S$20 from Mon to Wed, S$25 from Thu to Fri and S$30 on weekends. 15 Science Centre Road, Science Centre Singapore, Singapore 609081 +65 6425 2500 10am – 5.45pm (Mon to Wed, Thu & Sun) 10am – 8.15pm (Fri & Sat) | | 101 Best things to do in Singapore – Ideas for tourists & locals [Mar 2025 update] Escapee at KAP Mall Singapore isn't just about escaping from a room—it's about escaping from the ordinary and forging unforgettable memories with friends, family, and colleagues. If you have dreamt of escaping from school, give their Classroom Crisis (2 to 8 persons, 60 mins) a go. In the heart of a bustling city, a menacing threat looms over Central High School. A nefarious individual has planted a bomb within the school, triggering a lockdown. Amidst all the panic, a bunch of unlikely heroes must work together to detonate the bomb. Unfortunately, they don't list prices on their site. You'll have to call them for a reservation. 9 King Albert Park, KAP Mall, #01-47, Singapore 598332 +65 8513 6300 Daily: 11am – 9pm | | V-Room distinguishes itself by offering enchanting virtual reality (VR) escape room games. Their range of games is one of the largest and most varied collections in town. If you are stuck at work on a dreary Monday, a must-try is their Belko (Puzzle). It raises the question: 'What does it take to survive at work?' Players are prompted to work out a series of tricky puzzles to escape from their office before a microchip in their head goes off. Another must-try escape room game is Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. Here, you find yourself in a room with a ticking time bomb. The catch? Your pals have the manual to defuse it, but they cannot see the bomb. You are going to have to talk it out — and quickly. 1 Maritime Square, Harbourfront Centre, #03-15, Singapore 099253 +65 6988 9467 Daily: 12.30pm – 9pm | | At Captivate Escape Rooms, 8 escape rooms await you. These rooms are brimming with intriguing and amazing challenges. Be the star of your story as your adventure starts here. If you are a fan of Train to Busan, try their Murder on the Singapore Express game. The murder of a Belgian detective in Singapore has captured the world's attention. Buy a ticket to the Singapore Express and solve the clues left behind by the killer at the railway station. If you are a Sherlock Holmes buff, try CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. As the name suggests, you work for the Singapore Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) squad. You rush to the travelling circus to investigate a puzzling death involving the smallest man in the world. Typically, a game costs S$25/person on weekdays and S$32/person from Fri to Sun. 190 Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore Shopping Centre, #06-28, Singapore 239924 +65 6837 0870 Sun to Fri: 11am – 9.45pm Sat: 10.45am – 9.45pm | Lockdown Escape is a reality-first-person adventure game that simulates online room escape games. The player is locked in a room and must exploit the surroundings to flee. If you are a performer at heart, try out their Lockdown VR: Circus of the Dead (2 to 6 players). As an aspiring group of musicians, you have been invited to be a backup for a performance. After entering an abandoned dressing room, strange things start to happen. With your concert starting in an hour, can you escape or be trapped like those before you? A 75-minute session costs S$27 per person on weekdays and S$33 on weekends. 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, #03-149, Singapore 039594 +65 8081 5160 Daily: 12pm – 9pm | | Established in 2013, The Escape Artist is one of the first providers of real-life escape rooms in Singapore. Throughout these 12 years, they have always sought to deliver the best and most thrilling escape room experiences for people of all ages and various events. If you have a penchant for fine art, a must-try is Gatecrash. In the world of underground art, a collector's home becomes the target for those seeking precious loot. You are one of these people, but your plans are foiled when you trigger a trap and find yourself locked in the basement. You have an hour to escape from the mansion before the collector returns. Typically, a game costs S$24/person on weekdays and S$30/person on weekends. 1 Maritime Square, HarbourFront Shopping Centre, #03-15, Singapore 099253 +65 6988 9467 / +65 8868 9217 (WhatsApp) Daily: 12.30pm – 9pm | | is Singapore's best interactive virtual escape room online. With over 10 rooms to explore, you can work with your team to solve puzzles and uncover the truth. Their themes are relatively unique, including The Vaccine Lab Virtual Escape Room Game (60 to 90 mins). A leading vaccine laboratory has developed a vaccine that will save the world from the pandemic. A research assistant from a rival firm has infiltrated their lab and stolen their immunisation jab. They need your help to recover the booster. For teams of 10 people and above, each person only has to pay S$20. For teams of 2 to 9 people, each person has to fork out S$25. Gameplay lasts for roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, inclusive of a trained facilitator on the Zoom, MS Teams or Webex platform. 7030 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, #01-25, Singapore 569880 +65 6100 0567 Daily: 24 hours | | 10 activities in JB worth every RM The post 11 best escape rooms in Singapore to get lost in adventure appeared first on
