Typoman

Typoman is an independent video game developed by German indie studio Brainseed Factory for Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC, and mobile. The game follows a hero named HERO who crafts words to alter the environment around him.[1]

Typoman
Developer(s)Brainseed Factory
Publisher(s)Brainseed Factory
Director(s)Bilal Chbib
Designer(s)Zein Okko
Programmer(s)
  • Lino Morales
  • Florian Wurth
  • Tim Schroeder
  • Clemens Schmitt
  • Aaron Grabowy
Artist(s)
  • Arton Rexhëbogaj
  • Lea Dickert
  • Oleg Gorshkov
  • Michael Koloch
  • Zein Okko
Composer(s)SonicPicnic
Engine
Platform(s)
Release
November 19, 2015
    • Wii U
      • WW: November 19, 2015
    • Microsoft Windows
      • WW: August 15, 2016
    • Xbox One
      • WW: February 17, 2017
    • PlayStation 4
      • WW: February 21, 2017
    • Nintendo Switch
      • WW: February 22, 2018
    • iOS & Android (Remastered)
      • WW: July 7, 2022
Genre(s)Puzzle, platform

Gameplay

Typoman features a number of environmental puzzles that are solved by crafting words that are relevant to the situation. For example, players can spell "up" to activate an elevator, or "open" to open a door.[2] Situations become increasingly complicated as the game progresses, requiring the player to come up with puns to manipulate items.[2]

Development

The idea of Typoman was born out of a desire to experiment with typography and gameplay. Brainseed Factory founder Bilal Chbib explains that the original plan was to "have objects and monsters shaped out of letters, and nothing else."[3] As development continued the team eventually decided to implement puzzle based gameplay using letters and words.[3]

The game was originally a Wii U exclusive, and Nintendo showcased the game at the Nindies@Home program during E3 2015.[3] The game launched for Wii U in 2015.

A year after release, Brainseed Factory announced an updated version of the game called Typoman: Revised would be released for PC, Xbox One and PS4. The revised version implements several design and graphical improvements.[4] The PC version launched in 2016, with the console versions following in February 2017.

Reception

The original Wii U version of Typoman received mixed reviews from critics, with a score on review aggregator Metacritic of 57/100.[5] Typoman: Revised for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 was better received, scoring 73/100 and 75/100 respectively.[7][8]

Critics generally praised the game's concept, atmosphere and art style, but directed criticism towards the game's length.[8]

Accolades
YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2015 Game Connection America Awards, San Francisco Best Console / PC Hardcore Nominated [10]
Best Casual Won
Most Promising IP Nominated
Deutscher Entwicklerpreis Cologne Best Game Nominated [11]
Best Indie Game Nominated
Best Sound Nominated
Best Game Design Nominated
Best Console Game Nominated
Gaming Trend's E3 Awards, Los Angeles Best Art Style Won [12]
Quo Vadis 2015, Berlin Best of Quo Vadis Show Won [13][14]
2016 Deutscher Computerspielpreis, Munich Best Presentation Won [15]
German Educational Media Award, Munich Best Youth Game Won [16]
2018 TIGA Games Industry Awards, London Best Puzzle Game Nominated [17]
Visual Design Nominated

References
  1. OPMUK staff (February 16, 2015). "OPM Team Debate: Which under-the-radar game will take PS4 by storm in 2015?". GamesRadar+ (PlayStation Official Magazine – UK).
  2. Priestman, Chris (May 18, 2015). "Typoman's dark world is made of letters that you'll have to sort into words to survive". Pocket Gamer.
  3. Cardoso, Jose (June 27, 2015). "Wii U exclusive Typoman pays tribute to writers and oppressed authors, uses essential GamePad features". GameZone.
  4. Luke K. (August 4, 2016). "Typoman: Revised announced for PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One". Critical Gamer.
  5. "Typoman for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  6. "Typoman: Revised for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  7. "Typoman: Revised for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  8. "Typoman: Revised for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  9. "Typoman: Revised for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  10. "Game Connection America 2015 Development Awards – Winners Revealed". Events for Gamers. 5 March 2015.
  11. "Deutscher Entwicklerpreis 2015". PCGames. 9 November 2015.
  12. "Gaming Trend's Best of E3 2015 Awards". Gaming Trend. 22 June 2015.
  13. "Typoman gewinnt Best Of Quo Vadis 2015". Film- und Medienstiftung.
  14. "QUO VADIS 2015 - Best of Quo Vadis Show powered by Google". YouTube.
  15. "Deutscher Computerspielpreis 2016: Das sind die besten Spiele des Jahres". Deutscher Computerspielpreis.
  16. "Pädi 2016". SIN Studio im Netz.
  17. "TIGA 2018 Winners". TIGA.
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