Candleman

Candleman is a 3D platforming puzzle video game with action adventure elements. The game was developed by Chinese studio Spotlightor Interactive and published by ondienova and Zodiac Interactive. The game was created as a prototype for a Ludum Dare game jam, and after initial positive reception, went into development for the Xbox One and published in February 1, 2017. It later released to console on October 20, 2017 as Candleman: The Complete Journey, with a DLC, titled Lost Light.

Candleman
Game icon of Candleman for the Playstation 4.
Developer(s)Spotlighter Interactive
Publisher(s)indienova, Zodiac Interactive
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, IOS, macOS,
ReleaseFebruary 1, 2017
Genre(s)Platformer, Puzzle, Action Adventure

The game received positive reviews, and is praised for its graphics, concept, music, and story, with complaints coming from a lack of depth in the story and minor complaints from difficulty.

Gameplay

Candleman is a platformer with run and jump mechanics, but the light is mostly muted to nearly total darkness. The main character, named "the little candle" in cutscenes, serves as a light source to properly see through the darkness. However, the candle can only be used for a total time of 10 seconds, and if the player goes over this time, it results in a game over. Other light sources can come from the ambience and game design. The goal is to get to the end of each level, and light specific candles along the way.[1]

The base game has a number of individual levels over a course of 13 chapters, and the DLC comes with an additional 3, with additional storytelling cutscenes.[2] After completing the base game, a time trial mode is unlocked, which don't require having to light up individual candles.[3]

The story starts on an abandoned ship, where an anthropomorphic candle questions their life purpose and where they are. After spotting a lighthouse, they set on a journey of inspiration. The ending of the main game is unclear.[4][5]

Development

In 2013, Candleman was originally created as a prototype for a 48 hour Ludum Dare game jam under the theme of "ten seconds". After receiving widespread recognition, the initial prototype was showcased by Kongregate, and received positive reception, and was eventually put on the front page. The game purchased publishing rights for the Xbox One six months later. The original game released worldwide February 1, 2017 and later added three additional chapters on October 20, titled Lost Light, and released to console.[6] During development, local co-op was considered, but focus was shifted due to a lack of development time.[7][8]

Reception

Candleman received generally favorable reviews, from review aggregator Metacritic. After publishing, players had an issue with the gameplay being too short and easy, but the style was created with the intention of appealing to a larger audience. The creator responded with adding a leaderboard for competition.[7]

Critics praise the game for its unique graphics and visuals. Ollie Reynolds from Nintendo Life stated how the game was "beautiful to behold", with abstract scenery and vibrant lighting.[14] Nick Banks from Keengamer calls Candleman "surprisingly atmospheric and artistically driven", but lacked high definition graphics.[16] Jake Arias from Killapenguin.com called the visuals "screenshot bait", with colorful scenery and lighting, with early stages having "so-so" textures.[3]

Complaints from the game mainly revolved around the loss of depth in the game's plot. Garland Pan from Darkstation believed the plot "leaves a lot to be desired" and "doesn't carry much emotional weight".[17] Adam Carroll of GodisaGeek believes the emotion to the story "just wasn't there" and compared it to the likes of a Pixar short.[18]

Other minor complaints came from the game having a lack of difficulty. Mark Jansen from Tech Raptor claimed the difficulty goes up and down, but never reached full potential.[1] Garland Pan from Darkstation critiqued that the game lacked challenge, but the simplicity of controls makes the game accessible.[17]

Notes
  1. Based on 7 reviews.
  2. Based on 13 reviews.
  3. Based on 5 reviews.
  4. Based on 13 reviews.

References
  1. Jansen, Mark (March 13, 2018). "Candleman: The Complete Journey Review – A Light In The Darkness". TechRaptor. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  2. Brierley, Gareth (October 27, 2017). "Candleman The Lost Light DLC Review". Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  3. Arias, Jake (January 1, 2018). "Candleman: The Complete Journey Review".
  4. Minguez, Cindy (February 8, 2017). "Candleman Review". TrueAchievements. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  5. LeClair, Kyle (February 3, 2017). "Review: Candleman". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  6. "Candleman Factsheet". Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  7. Watton, Neil (February 9, 2019). "Exclusive Q&A interview with the developer of Candleman on Xbox One".
  8. "Experience ID@Xbox's Candleman in 18 GIFs". IGN. October 25, 2017. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  9. "Candleman for Switch". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  10. "Candleman: The Complete Journey for PC". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  11. "Candleman: The Complete Journey for PS4". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  12. "Candleman for Xbox One". Metacritic.
  13. Makedonski, Brett. "Review: Candleman". Destructoid. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  14. Reynolds, Ollie. "Review: Candleman – A Relaxing And Illluninating Little Platformer". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  15. Mundy, John (March 30, 2018). "Candleman review – A subtly illuminating platformer". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  16. "CANDLEMAN: THE COMPLETE JOURNEY REVIEW". Keengamer. February 4, 2018. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  17. Pan, Garland (February 27, 2018). "Candleman: The Complete Journey Review". Darkstation.
  18. Caroll, Adam (October 7, 2019). "Candleman: The Complete Journey Switch review". GodisaGeek.
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