Let’s dive into Biped by NEXT Studios, published by NEXT Studios. First of all, I loved how players control each robot leg with two sticks or mouse buttons. Notably, that fresh input scheme won praise on Steam. One user said it feels “like a true Nintendo puzzle platformer.” When I read that, I nodded. This game rewards precise moves and team trust. As a pro gamer, I value tight controls. Moreover, NEXT Studios built Biped in Unity to allow Steam Workshop mods. Clearly, that shows they know their audience and want long‐term support.
Speaking of teamwork, the moment‐to‐moment cooperation blew me away. You slide, cut wood, power machinery and that all fits the world design. While I did compare it to It Takes Two, Biped keeps levels tighter. Forests, waterfalls, icy mountains. They each bring unique puzzles. Over the past year, I’ve scouted more than fifteen open‐world titles. Yet, Biped’s compact maps still pack secrets. I found hidden coins tucked behind sliding platforms. Admittedly, that replay secret feels familiar from Zelda’s Korok seed hunts.
I tackled every side quest, hat purchase and Steam Workshop level. The base game has eight normal and 16 coop pro levels. However, critique: coin economy feels stingy. One review pointed out grinding just for hats gets tedious. I agree. To address this, I’d reward extra coins when we replay levels or grab stars twice. Fortunately, the developer interview said they’ll tweak the store after community feedback. They read our Steam posts. As a result, that level of responsiveness thrills me as a completionist.
Moving on to performance, I timed the eight solo levels and hit sub‐five minutes on most. Some timers in normal mode felt tight, but thankfully no achievements punish you there. In contrast, the pro water levels slowed me down by thirty seconds each. Still, I dug into the design. Each loop and ice slide demands exact timing. I used my speedrunning skills from games like Celeste. Interestingly, Biped’s physics remind me of Human: Fall Flat but way more polished. Meanwhile, the Unity engine holds at a steady 60 fps on PC.
Story‐wise, the game keeps it light but sweet. Aku and Sila trek planet beacons. The dialogue occasionally locked me in a text box too long. One Steam reviewer mentioned missing a skip option. On one hand, narrative keeps you moving; on the other, a skip could help pace. NEXT Studios said they aim for tight storytelling, not epic lore dumps. Personally, I respect that focus. They want you solving puzzles, not reading walls of text.
Visually, Biped pops with its pastel palette. Trees glow, water glistens, and robots have charming loops in their walk cycles. The art style nods to classic platformers but adds a modern twist. For example, I noticed Unity’s Post-Processing Stack gave bloom that pops in sunset levels. Furthermore, on my mid-tier rig, it holds 1080p at 60 fps with no stutter.
Audio plays its part too. The soundtrack shifts from gentle forest tunes to upbeat cave themes. I hummed the waterfall track on my commute. Effects like wood-chopping and water splashes sync perfectly. No voice acting, but that fits the simple emotional tone. One fan on the forums credited the music for making them feel calm under pressure.
Regarding challenge balance, it felt fair after a learning curve. Early levels teach you leg control. Pro levels spike the challenge. Almost boss-rush style in puzzle form. For new players, some may hit a wall. I’d love an assist mode for tighter timing. Accessibility options matter. Given Unity’s flexibility, I hope NEXT Studios adds adjustable timers or hints.
Yes, replay value shines with Steam Workshop. Players share custom levels weekly. That community fuel matches games like Trackmania. You get endless puzzles. I replayed five community maps already, each more devious than the last.
In conclusion, Biped stands out as a co‐op gem. It balances fresh controls, artful levels, and mod tools. It’s short solo but shines in coop or with custom content.
For completion hunters, the game offers a clear 100 percent roadmap. Collect all coins, hats, achievements, pro-level stars. Then, dive into workshop levels.
And for speedrunners and lovers of tight physics, Biped lets you chase PBs on every course.
Looking for the best co-op games? It Takes Two delivers deep story-driven puzzles, while Unravel Two charms with its duo platformer and yarn physics. Overcooked 2 offers frantic teamwork in colorful kitchens, Human: Fall Flat challenges you with quirky physics puzzles, and Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime invites you to pilot a vibrant cosmic ship together. These titles guarantee cooperative fun, diverse gameplay mechanics, and memorable multiplayer experiences.
They each bring unique co-op challenges and creative design, just like Biped.
