Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams (XBLA)

Believe it, or not this isn't the first time that "Giana Sisters" has made it's debut as a video game. Before Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams was a reality there was a Nintendo DS game that sported a similar title. This game was none other than "Giana Sisters DS". This original title seemed to borrow inspiration from the Super Mario Bros. franchise, and featured some level designs/details that were very similar to those sorts of games. Even the art that accompanied the game seem to further reflect the developer's uncanny tribute based game design. Luckily for us though Black Forest Games picked up the title, re-imagined the gameplay, and made "Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams" a more original experience. Sure it still had the slight super Mario Bros. tribute content from time to time, but it wasn't as "in your face" as it was before. With new gameplay mechanics, and greatly enhanced visuals 'Black Forest Games' has set out to impress it's audience with possibly one of the best platformers released this year.

Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams follows the fairytale-like story of two sisters who encountered a magical gem which sent them to a completely different dimension. Through a simplistic animated sequence it becomes apparent that one of the "Giana" sisters was abducted by an unseen force during their encounter with the gem. The remaining sister willingly jumped into the vanishing portal after her to pursue her sister's captor. Little else is shown by this short animated feature, but the game picks up where the speechless story left off, and explains things well enough. The sister who followed in pursuit of her sibling ends up developing a certain gift that in turn aids her on her quest. This "gift" is a sort of literal split personality change that also alters the world around her. By changing from a "Cute" version of herself to a "Punk" version this young heroine can alter the land, and features around her in a bi-polar sort of manner. When she's in "Cute" form the world around her reflects a nightmare filled with demons. As "Punk" Giana the world is a lot less frightening, and the foes a lot less scary. Using her abilities the remaining Giana sister treks her way through the mystical land in search of her sister's abductor. It is ultimately up to her to find her lost sibling, and bring her back to the real world.

Gameplay in 'Giana Sisters: TD" is a simple yet somewhat complex system to grasp. As I mentioned before the Giana sister who takes on the role of the game's protagonist has a very unique ability. By pressing (RT) on the controller you will be able to switch between the "Cute", and "Punk" versions of the girl. By doing so the world around you will change from a nightmarish perspective to a sunny fairytale-like scenario. Even the enemies within the levels change along with the Giana sister's personality alterations. Aside from the basic personality switching each version of the Giana sister (Cute & Punk) also has abilities that will aid in level progression, and completion. For example, "Cute" Giana can twirl, and float through the air. To do this you simply have to press (Y) on the controller. If you are currently in the "Punk" state you will automatically switch to the "Cute" version of the character. The same goes for the "Punk" version. The "Punk" version on the other hand grants the Giana sister the ability to dash through the air, and through breakable objects. This also helps with the level progression, and completion.

As you make your way through the "Adventure" levels, and worlds of the game (3 worlds, 23 levels) you will encounter various platforming oriented puzzles that will require quick thinking, and the use of both the "Cute, and "Punk" versions of the Giana sister. Your goal, or aim is to make it through each level, and collect all of the multi-colored gems as possible. The gems come in various colors, and sizes including blue, red, and yellow. The red, and yellow gems can only be collected by the appropriate version of the Giana Sister. The "Cute" version which is sporting blonde hair can only pick up yellow, and blue gems. The "Punk" version on the other hand can only gather red, and blue gems since her hair color is red. Alternating between the two Giana sister types is a must if you hope to gain a 100% completion of each level/world. I should also mention that your deaths are tallied up as well to give you a final star based rating. Completing a stage with no deaths, and all the gems will score you a five star rating as well as a full gem completion icon.

Aside from the basic gem collecting you can also gather large blue gems which will unlock art in the "gallery" menu. These hidden gems are often times out of reach, and out of sight. To obtain them it will take some proper thinking, and searching. Gems are not the only things to be concerned about though. As with any platformer you will find a wide array of environmental hazards, and deadly enemies who stand in your way to the final exit door. As with the other world switching changes you'll also find that enemies change as well. While playing as "Cute" Giana you'll encounter ghoulish devil-like creatures as well as other creepy adversaries. In the "Punk" form your foes are cuter, and a lot less intimidating. The good thing to know is that in either form you can dispatch these deadly denizens by simply jumping on their heads, or by dashing into them via the "Punk" Giana style. There are a few exceptions to these rules however as you will find that some enemies are armed with offensive, and defensive weapons that are best not touched. Last but not least you will also encounter boss battles with some very interesting creatures. Besting these beasts will require that you not only learn their tactics, but that you also switch between "cute", and "Punk" at appropriate times.

You'd probably think that 'Giana Sisters: TD' is a straightforward adventure game with no extra modes. Well, you'd be wrong! This game not only includes three versions of the "Adventure" Campaign (Adventure, Hardcore, Uber Hardcore), but it also includes a "Score Attack" mode as well as a "Time Attack" mode. The three different adventure modes are fairly self explanatory, but I will go over them. In the standard adventure mode you are given an unlimited amount of lives with which to complete the game. Of course how many times you die does effect your end level results. Also in this mode you'll find checkpoints within each level. This in turn makes progress easier. The "Hardcore" version of the game includes all of the features of the standard "Adventure" mode, but without the checkpoints. You must also unlock this mode type by earning four stars within a Boss level. One thing I forgot to mention is that you must have gathered at least half of the gems in each stage before a boss level will be playable/unlocked. The last unlockable adventure mode is "Uber Hardcore". Like the other two previously mentioned modes it too plays out in a similar fashion. The difference this time is that if you die within any point in a world you must start over from level one no matter how far you have made it. To unlock "Uber Hardcore" you must complete all levels within "Hardcore" mode.

The final to bonus modes are unlocked early in the game. These modes are none other than "Score Attack", and "Time Attack". In "Score Attack" your goal is to gain a high score by collecting gems quickly, and by defeating enemies. As I mentioned earlier there are to ways to defeat an enemy. You can either jump on their heads (Super Mario Bros. style), or blast through them using "Punk" Giana's dash maneuver. I believe that one of these ways will score you more points than the other, but I do not know which. As far as "Score Attack" goes you have to forget about all the gem gathering, and enemy killing, and simply make a mad dash for the exit. The quicker you make it to the end of a stage the better your score will be. Keep in mind that this game does have a global leaderboard, and does keep track of your placings in all of the game's offered modes.

Now onto the verdict ...

As of now I have not fully completed the game, but I have played enough of the game to deliver a legitimate opinion. I for one absolutely enjoyed this game. I thought the gameplay was brilliantly done, and the replay value was superb. I revisited each level in "Adventure" multiple times just to find all of the gems, and secret art. The fact that the game eases you into the gameplay mechanics, and builds you up to the more difficult challenges is a huge plus. Keep in mind that as easy as this game seems at first it is only a minute fraction of the challenging gameplay you will encounter later on. The challenge, while formidable is not one that will turn away gamers though. It isn't one of those games that you will feel hopelessly lost on.

Other notable things include the soundtrack which in itself is highly impressive. You'll hear what sounds like fairytale inspired rock ballads as well as whimsical tunes that suit the fairytale settings which you'll encounter in each level. The art gallery is also something worthwhile. Once you've collected the big gems you will be privileged to see some of the game's development stills, as well as other character, and background art designs. This is a must for fans of video game art, or fans of art in general.

In the end the simple controls, and engaging gameplay of Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams make for one heck of an enjoyable platforming experience. The bonus modes are merely icing on Hansel & Gretel's gingerbread cottage. To wrap it all up, I absolutely love this game. I found nothing wrong with it at all. If you are looking for a proper platformer with great replay value then look no further than this game. You might actually see this in my "Top 10 of 2013" later this year! It's worth every point!!!