Pillar (video game)
| Pillar | ||
|---|---|---|
Composer(s) Michael Hicks | | |
| Platform(s) | ||
| Release | February 17, 2015 | |
Puzzle | ||
| Mode(s) | ||
Pillar is an
Gameplay
Pillar is made up of several levels, each starring a different character with their own set of gameplay mechanics. Examples include
Development
Hicks started work on Pillar in August 2012
Pillar was officially announced in August 2014. Hicks cited the film Magnolia, the Myers-Briggs Personality Test and real life relationships as influences on the game.[8] He also explained his goal to tell a story non-verbally through the gameplay mechanics and cited Jonathan Blow and Jason Rohrer as influences for this idea.[1]
The game was originally planned for a 2014 release but was delayed until 2015, releasing February 17.[9]
Music
Pillar's soundtrack was composed by Michael Hicks and inspired by ambient artists Brian Eno, Sigur Rós, Nils Frahm, Peter Broderick and experimental musician Tim Hecker.[10] Hicks approached the soundtrack in an unorthodox manner, composing each song as he designed the level it was intended for. He claimed the music influenced game design decisions and vice versa, resulting in a "cohesive experience".[11][12]
The soundtrack was independently released via Bandcamp a few months before the game's release.[13]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Who/What/Where?" | 02:04 |
| 2. | "Pillar" | 01:46 |
| 3. | "I Met You... Again" | 05:54 |
| 4. | "Bonkers (Slow)" | 04:28 |
| 5. | "Gathering Place" | 04:10 |
| 6. | "The Cathedral / What Little You Have" | 02:56 |
| 7. | "Frivolous" | 01:12 |
| 8. | "Cooperate / Ancient Prophecies" | 05:42 |
| 9. | "To Find Peace (During Winter) / Unexpected Visitor" | 02:10 |
| 10. | "Gathering Place pt. 2 / Life in a Museum" | 06:25 |
| Total length: | 36:51 | |
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 59.38% (PS4)[15] |
| Metacritic | 59/100 (PS4)[14] |
Pillar received mixed reviews from critics, with a score on review aggregator
In a mixed review for Game Informer, Matt Helgeson criticized the gameplay as being "more tiresome than enjoyable" and expressed confusion at the game's plot, failing to see how the elements came together in any meaningful way. He concluded with a plug for the game's soundtrack, stating it has a chance of being one of his favorites of all time.[4] Bradley Marsh of GameStyle wrote that Pillar "clearly isn’t for everyone. But if you like to use your own imagination whilst being tested, then you will get a good experience here."[17]
Matt Whittaker of Hardcore Gamer[18] and TheSixthAxis' Aran Suddi[19] both felt the game was a missed opportunity, criticizing the gameplay. Whittaker felt Pillar would benefit without puzzles in the first place, he concluded that "rudimentary puzzle design overshadows every emotional undertone so greatly that boredom is more likely to ensue than introspection."
References
- ^ a b c Hicks, Michael (25 August 2014). "Introducing Pillar: A PS4 Psychological Minigame Collection". PlayStation.Blog.
- ^ a b Behan, Gary (25 February 2015). "Pillar Review – Cult Of Personalities (PS4)". PlayStation LifeStyle.
- ^ a b Hurley, Tim (3 March 2015). "REVIEW: Pillar". theXBLIG.
- ^ a b c Helgeson, Matt. "Pillar - An Interesting Concept Fails To Deliver A Compelling Game". Game Informer.
- ^ O'Connor, Alice (18 February 2015). "Puzzling Personalities: Pillar Released (And Has A Demo)". Rock, Paper, Shotgun.
- ^ Michael Hicks [@MichaelArtsGame] (September 4, 2014). "FYI: We've worked on this game in Florida, Illinois, Finland, Portugal, an airplane and holed up in a church! #indie" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Hicks, Michael (28 July 2014). "'Independent development has been the most difficult time of my life'". Develop.
- ^ Marsh, Bradley. "Interview with Pillar Creator: Michael Hicks". GameStyle.
- ^ Hicks, Michael (12 February 2015). "Psychological Puzzler Pillar Launches February 17th". PlayStation.Blog.
- ^ Hicks, Michael (17 December 2014). "Pillar on PS4: Watch the New Trailer, Soundtrack Released". PlayStation.Blog.
- ^ Perez, Matt (6 January 2015). "Personality Matters in Pillar". IndieHaven.
- ^ "Pillar". Pillar Official Website.
- ^ "Reven: Music for Pillar". Bandcamp.
- ^ a b "Pillar for PlayStation 4". Metacritic.
- ^ "Pillar on PlayStation 4". GameRankings.
- ^ Roberts, David. "Review: Pillar". Ulster Star.
- ^ Marsh, Bradley. "Pillar (PS4) Review". GameStyle.
- ^ Whittaker, Matt. "Review: Pillar". Hardcore Gamer.
- ^ Suddi, Aran (23 February 2015). "Pillar Review (PS4)". TheSixthAxis.
