KeyWe

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KeyWe
Developer(s)Stonewheat & Sons
Publisher(s)Sold Out
Artist(s)Grant Gessel
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows, Nintendo Switch
  • August 31, 2021
  • PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
  • September 28, 2021
  • Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • December 16, 2021
Genre(s)Puzzle-platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

KeyWe is a 2021 puzzle-platform video game developed by Stonewheat & Sons and published by Sold Out. The game was released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on August 31, later releasing on September 28 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S ports were released on December 16. KeyWe follows Jeff and Debra, two kiwis working at the Bungalow Basin Telepost Office. KeyWe was prototyped during the 2018 Global Game Jam. Grant Gessel, the technical artist, took inspiration from Going Postal, a story by Terry Pratchett. Rare games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day inspired KeyWe's art style. KeyWe received mixed reviews from critics.

Gameplay

Jeff and Debra have to type the word "pants" by using the keys in the level.

KeyWe's story takes place over three seasons:[1] Summer, Wickertide, and Winter.[2] Players control Jeff and Debra, two flightless birds.[3] The kiwis can push and pull objects, or grab letters with their beaks.[4] The kiwis can also use their butts to collect labels and press buttons.[4] Each mission has a main objective that has to be completed.[5] The puzzles receive modifiers as the player progresses.[1] In one level, Kudzu vines have to be removed in order to move boxes around the office.[2] Some buttons may change places, and messages may be written in code.[1] The main stages task the players with typing messages, placing the correct postcodes and labels on packages, and sorting incoming and outgoing mail.[3] Beating target times rewards the player with stamps, which can be used to purchase cosmetic items for the kiwis.[3] Players can replay levels to earn more stamps.[1] More stamps can be received from playing minigames such as playing instruments and riding cassowaries.[3]

Development and release

KeyWe is the first game by U.S. developer Stonewheat & Sons.[6] The game was prototyped during the 2018 Global Game Jam.[7] During the event, the developers picked a modifier, and was given "Your game must contain a bird protagonist".[7] The developers liked the idea of postal birds that couldn’t fly, and had to work at desk job instead.[7] One of the developers drew a picture of a bird wearing a headset, and the team later decided on a game with two birds sending telegrams by typing with their butts.[8] Grant Gessel is Stonewheat's technical artist, and Joel Davis is the animator.[9] Stonewheat wanted the game to be accessible to families.[8] Gessel took inspiration from Terry Pratchett's Going Postal, a story about a conman who is given an opportunity to work as a postmaster.[10] Rare games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day were inspirations for KeyWe's art style.[10]

In February, Sold Out announced KeyWe for PC, with a planned release date of 2021.[11] Sold Out showcased the game at their booth at PAX East 2020, along with Disjunction, No Straight Roads, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder, and Radical Rabbit Stew.[12] In May, KeyWe was one of 55 games featured at the Wholesome Direct.[13][14] KeyWe made an appearance at The Escapist's Indie Showcase.[15] A trailer was featured at Gamescom 2020.[16] Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S versions were announced in February 2021.[17] The game was set to release in the summer.[18][19] On April 14, the game was shown at the Nintendo Indie World showcase.[20][21] The game was given a release date of August. Owners of the Switch version would receive an exclusive outfit.[22] On May 27, 2021, KeyWe's release date of August 31 was announced.[23] Those who pre-ordered the game would receive the Early Bird Pack.[23] KeyWe was featured at the Wholesome Direct of E3 2021.[24][25] It was also one of over 45 games featured during the Future Games Show.[26] KeyWe's demo was available during the Steam Next Fest.[27] KeyWe was released for PC and Nintendo Switch on August 31, 2021.[28] On September 28, the game was released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.[29][30] Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S versions were released on December 16.[28]

DLC for PC called "The 100th Annual Grand Ol' Telepost Tournament" was released in February 2022.[31] At W.A.S.D 2022, KeyWe made an appearance at Fireshine's[a] stand, along with games such as Silt.[33] KeyWe was added to GeForce Now in June.[34][35]

Reception

KeyWe received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[36][37] The game received a score of 29/40 from Famitsu, based on individual reviews of 6, 7, 8, and 8.[38]

Writing for Shacknews, Sam Chandler wrote that KeyWe "something special" and a "charming, yet challenging experience". He praised the puzzles, mini-games, and "charming" visuals. Chandler criticized the controls, calling them "finicky".[1] Slant Magazine's Aaron Riccio wrote that KeyWe "turns a game about operating a telepost into a noble calling".[2] Stephen Tailby from Push Square rated KeyWe 7/10 stars, praising the cooperative challenges and the "cute" presentation. However, Tailby criticized the controls, calling them "occasionally iffy".[3]

Shacknews gave the game an honorable mention in their "Top 10 Indie Games of the Year 2021".[39] Rock Paper Shotgun included the game in its "25 best non-violent games on PC" list.[40] PCMag listed the game as number eight in their "10 Terrific Indie Games You Might Have Missed In 2021" list.[41] Android Central included the game in their "Best social and co-op games for PS4 and PS5 in 2022" list.[42]

Awards and nominations

KeyWe won the award for Best Family Game at the 2020 Gamescom Awards.[43] In 2021, KeyWe was a finalist for Best Social Game at TIGA's UK Games Industry Awards.[44] At the 2022 Independent Games Festival, the game received an honorable mention for Excellence in Design.[45]

Year Association Category Result Ref
2020 Gamescom Awards Best Family Game Won [43]
2021 UK Games Industry Awards Best Social Game Finalist [44]
2022 Independent Games Festival Excellence in Design Honorable Mention [45]

References

Notes
  1. ^ Sold Out rebranded to Fireshine Games in March 2022.[32]
  2. ^ Score based on 6 reviews.
  3. ^ Score based on 5 reviews.
References
  1. ^ a b c d e f Chandler, Sam (31 August 2021). "KeyWe review: Two birds, one job". Shacknews. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Riccio, Aaron (31 August 2021). "Review: KeyWe Delivers a Detail-Rich, Charmingly Packaged Co-Op Experience". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Tailby, Stephen (7 October 2021). "Review: KeyWe (PS5) - Two Birdbrains Are Better Than One in Quirky Co-Op Title". Push Square. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b Bell, Alice (31 August 2021). "KeyWe review: extremely cute, but this is no way to run a post office". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  5. ^ Chandler, Sam (29 July 2021). "KeyWe hands-on preview: Overcooked in the post office". Shacknews. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  6. ^ Loveridge, Sam (13 June 2021). "KeyWe delivers cute and chaotic fun with its evolving, seasonal levels". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Harrison, Christian (15 July 2021). "KeyWe Interview: Stonewheat and Sons Discuss the Joys and Hardships of Making an Indie Game". Game Rant. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  8. ^ a b Avard, Alex (14 June 2021). "How KeyWe reimagines the co-op chaos of Overcooked in the post office for family-friendly, flightless fun". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  9. ^ Denzer, TJ (23 June 2020). "ShackStream: KeyWe developer interview". Shacknews. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  10. ^ a b Harrison, Christian (13 July 2021). "How Rare and Terry Pratchett Inspired KeyWe". Game Rant. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  11. ^ Romano, Sal (20 February 2020). "Cooperative mail delivery game KeyWe for PC launches in 2021". Gematsu. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  12. ^ Grubb, Jeff (20 February 2020). "Indie publisher Sold Out is bringing 5 games to PAX East". VentureBeat. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  13. ^ Watts, Steve (26 May 2020). "All 55 Games Games Featured In The "Wholesome Direct"". GameSpot. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  14. ^ Morton, Lauren (27 May 2020). "Check out all the kind and cute games shown off in the Wholesome Direct". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  15. ^ Clayton, Natalie (11 June 2020). "Catch up with The Escapist's packed Indie Showcase stream". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  16. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (30 August 2020). "Gamescom 2020 Highlights: The Biggest Game Announcements, Trailers, and Gameplay". IGN. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  17. ^ Romano, Sal (17 February 2021). "KeyWe adds PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch versions; launches this summer". Gematsu. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  18. ^ Borthwick, Ben (17 February 2021). "KeyWe is a co-op puzzler that sees you run a post office as a pair of Kiwi birds". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  19. ^ Morton, Lauren (17 February 2021). "Co-op puzzler KeyWe will launch this summer". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  20. ^ Kim, Matt (14 April 2021). "OlliOlli World and 20 More Games Announced at Nintendo's April 14 Indie World Showcase". IGN. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  21. ^ Watts, Steve (14 April 2021). "Nintendo Indie World Showcase: All The Games And Trailers". GameSpot. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  22. ^ Romano, Sal (14 April 2021). "KeyWe launches in August". Gematsu. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  23. ^ a b Romano, Sal (27 May 2021). "KeyWe launches August 31". Gematsu. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  24. ^ Bell, Alice (15 June 2021). "Every game from Wholesome Direct 2021, grouped by genre". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  25. ^ Spear, Rebecca (12 June 2021). "Several feel-good games announced during this year's Wholesome Direct". iMore. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  26. ^ Sheehan, Gavin (13 June 2021). "We Recap Almost Everything In The Future Games Show At E3 2021". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  27. ^ Hetfeld, Malindy (17 June 2021). "You can play demos of these 52 E3 games right now". PC Gamer. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  28. ^ a b Game Informer Editorial. "2021 Video Game Release Schedule". Game Informer. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  29. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (26 September 2021). "The Week In Games: A Whole New World, A Dazzling Place". Kotaku. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  30. ^ Borthwick, Ben (23 September 2021). "KeyWe brings its postal puzzling birds to PlayStation 5 and PS4 next week". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  31. ^ Edwards, Trevor (23 February 2022). "Co-Op Game KeyWe Gets New Tournament DLC and Finally Releases on Xbox". Game Rant. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  32. ^ Partis, Danielle (7 March 2022). "Sold Out rebrands to Fireshine Games as it ramps up digital portfolio". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  33. ^ Regan, Tom (14 April 2022). "W.A.S.D 2022: an intimate return to in-person indie events". NME. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  34. ^ Broadwell, Josh (3 June 2022). "Grab God of War on GeForce Now before it leaves the platform for good". PCGamesN. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  35. ^ Kaser, Rachel (2 June 2022). "GeForce Now adds 25 new games to service for June". VentureBeat. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  36. ^ a b "KeyWe for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  37. ^ a b "KeyWe for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  38. ^ a b "KeyWe-キーウィ- (Switch)のレビュー・評価・感想". Famitsu (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  39. ^ Shack Staff (31 December 2021). "Shacknews Top 10 Indie Games of the Year 2021". Shacknews. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  40. ^ Alice, Holly; Meer, Alec (15 December 2021). "The 25 best non-violent games on PC". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  41. ^ Jensen, K. Thor (14 December 2021). "10 Terrific Indie Games You Might Have Missed In 2021". PCMag. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  42. ^ Locke, Jennifer; Shore, Matt (5 May 2022). "Best social and co-op games for PS4 and PS5 in 2022". Android Central. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  43. ^ a b Sinclair, Brendan (31 August 2020). "Cyberpunk 2077 tops Best of Gamescom awards". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  44. ^ a b Stephenson, Suzi (1 November 2021). "TIGA announces the UK Games Industry Awards 2021 Finalists". TIGA. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  45. ^ a b Blake, Vikki (9 January 2022). "Inscryption and Unpacking lead nominations in this year's Independent Games Festival". Eurogamer. Retrieved 12 July 2022.

External links

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