National Video Games Examiner Patrick Hickey Jr. chats with Will Sykes who explains the gravity-bending, mini-game madness that is “Perfect Universe,” which is now available on Steam and is set for a mid-May release on the PlayStation 4.
About Perfect Universe, courtesy of Steam:
Perfect Universe is a collection of nine gravity inspired games. Featuring six hilarious local multiplayer modes and over 70 eye-popping single player levels, this captivating universe has something for everyone.
For more on the game, click here.
Patrick Hickey Jr.: What was the developmental process like?
Will Sykes: The game is based on a concept that has been stuck in my mind for years. This is the third time that I have tried to get the idea out of my mind and into the world. The idea is that of A being able to fly and B being able to run entirely around a planet. When I first prototyped this game I somehow struck gold in the form of doing strange things with gravity and it all came from there.
Hickey Jr.: What games influenced this one the most?
Sykes: I would say that the game is influenced highly by all the games I have worked on in the past. There have been a lot of times when working on commercial projects I have had an idea but not been allowed to implement it for various reasons. This was finally my chance to do all those things. There are so many aspects to the game that I can’t pick one main influence but I would naturally include: Monument Valley, Mad World, Mario Galaxy, Thrust and QWOP.
Hickey Jr.: What makes this game special?
Sykes: This game is special to me because it is my baby (and interestingly launching at a similar time to my human baby girl “Rain” born on Sunday). I have put so much love and soul into this project that it almost feels like a part of me. I have put things into the game that I have wanted to play since being a child. Every game is special to somebody, this one is special to me, I can only hope that it will be special to others.
Hickey Jr.: Which game in this collection do you think stands out most about this game from a gameplay perspective?
Sykes: Naturally all the games are good for different reasons. I can say that 4 player Rocket Ball has been the most fun one to keep playing, but then multiplayer games always have that longevity factor.
Hickey Jr.: How do you want this game to be remembered?
Sykes: I would like people to see Perfect Universe as a game that did things differently, it does things because I believe they are fun and interesting, not just to sell to the biggest user base.
Hickey Jr.: Bottom line, why should someone play this?
Sykes: Given the amount of variety in Perfect Universe, it would be almost impossible not to find something in it which you can enjoy! Also, If you are a gamer, there are some really interesting and unusual things in Perfect Universe that you won’t see in other games so if you want to understand them you will have to play.
Hickey Jr.: What’s next?
Sykes: This is a big question, my daughter Rain has just been born and that places a burden of responsibility to provide on my shoulders. I would love to do something more with Perfect Universe (think virtual reality) but also feel that there are some interesting mechanics that I have found which might be suitable for a brand new IP.
