Humanity Review (PS5) | Push Square

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In many respects, Humanity feels very much like something Sony's Japan Studio would've made about 15 years ago. We of course mean that as a compliment; an experimental game that doesn't quite conform to normal conventions, instead carving out a new path with a weird, singular vision. We can put this bizarre new puzzler from Enhance Games and tha ltd on a podium alongside LocoRoco and Patapon — unusual but charming spins on long-established genres.

The easiest way to explain how this game works is to think of it as a high-concept take on Lemmings. Each level has you guiding a group of forward-marching people to the exit. Playing as a glowing dog, you can freely run around each stage and lay down commands that'll help the humans get from A to B. It's a simple concept that's easy to grasp, and it's backed up by uncomplicated controls. However, as you earn more and more commands, the game's puzzles steadily grow more complex as they introduce new elements and obstacles to overcome.

You begin with the ability to make the humans change direction and jump, but the game doesn't take long to throw in new ideas. Long and high jumps, splitting the stream of people into two, lowering the effect of gravity — the list of commands grows quite quickly, with the game not resting on any one idea for too long. Each level only enables the commands required, so you're not overwhelmed with options. On top of your own abilities, though, new wrinkles in the puzzles are added frequently. The humans will need to push blocks around, swim through water, activate switches, and more as you progress through the campaign. It's that classic puzzle game trick of presenting you with a simple core concept and building up and out from that base.

Humanity