There are theories about other dimensions that exist just outside our own. These dimensions mirror ours but are a little different. In the world of Quantum Conundrum separate dimensions exist, and you are going to need them.

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The story for Quantum Conundrum is rather simple: you have been dropped off at the home of your rather eccentric uncle, Professor Fitz Quadwrangle, who has some how become trapped inside a pocket dimension. It is now your job to traverse various puzzles throughout the house, by way of dimensional manipulation, to help rescue your uncle. Outside of that, you’ll get little tidbits about your uncle’s life and other inventions as you make your way through the gigantic sprawling mansion.

The puzzles in this game are something fans of Portal should be able to instantly understand. However, they do not function in the same capacity due to the use of dimensions. Each of the four dimensions shifts the world around you allowing for feats not possible in the normal dimension. For example, the Fluffy Dimension makes everything… well fluffy. Then there is the opposite dimension, the Heavy Dimension where everything becomes solid hard metal. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages requiring a combination to solve most areas. You cannot shift to two dimensions at the same time which means that you’ll need to have some good reflexes and sense of timing.

Overall, the game looks and feels like a cartoon, a feeling that is bolstered by the whimsical score and John De Lancie, who voices Professor Quadwrangle. All of these elements make the rather dangerous and life-threatening puzzles seem not so bad and almost comical. One could easily consider it all as a complete 180 to the setting in Portal and Portal 2. The thing that stands out to me the most was the shift into other dimensions which never got tiresome, thankfully. Each dimension has its own feel as every surface, including paintings and shifts. You will always know what dimension is activated at any given time just by looking at your environment as the colors correspond to the color on the hud.

While I would have loved to go into this review and not mention Portal, I found it impossible not to. There are too many allusion to Kim Swift’s previous work and anyone who played those games will instantly see the similarities. This is sort of a double-edged sword, as those expecting something like Portal will be a bit disappointed as it definitely does not feel the same. Those who were hoping for something entirely new won’t exactly get their wish either. I can’t fault Kim Swift for sticking with what she knows, but I can’t really say that this game offers up anything that is really new.

Outside of this, the games controls aren’t as precise as I would have liked, making a lot of the jumps more difficult than they already were. There were many times where I was unsure of my footing, which lead to me either dying or missing an opportunity while looking at my nonexistent feet. There is also a minor quibble concerning the condescending nature of your uncle who you are trying to help. I mean, you’re trying to help him, he could try and act a bit more grateful about it.

Quantum Conundrum is a good game, and the rather low price it’s going for only helps that. If you liked Portal and want something similar, then this is the game for you. However, if Portal just didn’t do it for you, then you won’t miss a thing by passing on this game.

GO Rating: 3/5