Tiny and Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers is a platforming game that adds new elements to an otherwise basic formula. Rather than your normal run of the mill platformer puzzle game, Tiny and Big does what indie games should by giving us a truly unique experience that is enjoyable from beginning to end.
To start things off this game is not a game that is trying to have a deep and somber storyline and setting, and it’s pretty obvious from the beginning that the player is in for a fun and light hearted experience. The plot of the game revolves around a pair of magic underwear being stolen and used in a world domination plot. Tiny is a small framed guy who has a knack for science and gadgets. Big is your basic oaf who relies on size and violence to stop you on your quest. Big steals your grandfather’s magic underwear that grants him the ability to use telekinesis. Big decides to use the underwear to pursue world domination and it’s up to Tiny to stop him.
Tiny has a bunch of cool gadgets as mentioned above that help him throughout his journey. The first tool you are introduced to is the cutting laser. The cutting laser allows Tiny to cut large rocks and platforms into pieces. The way you cut a rock is by clicking the left mouse button and then drawing a straight line across the area to be cut and then releasing the left mouse button. If you cover the entire area edge to edge with your line Tiny will cut the object in half. The laser is used the most and is Tiny’s main weapon when battling enemies. Some of the coolest moments of the game revolve around using the laser to cut rocks as they are thrown at you so that the pieces go on either side of you at the last minute. The grappling hook is another tool used to solve puzzles. The hook will allow you to grab and pull objects towards you to cover gaps and retrieve objects from distances. The last tool used is the rocket. The rocket will attach to an object and when activated will push that object forward with thrust. The thrust can be so great that it can make the object fly off if it is light enough.
The tools are used well together to traverse the puzzling terrain and reaching hidden rooms is very satisfying since there is a lot of freedom for how you want to complete each puzzle. There are times where you will have to restart from a checkpoint because you have cut too much and there is no way to continue, but this is very rare if the player is actually trying to complete a puzzle.
The graphics are fun to look at, but they are nothing to impressive. I like the cartoony look that was used and I think it adds well to the overall humorous feel of the game. I loved the music and sound effects in the game. The developers used 10 different indie bands to create a sound track that is truly unique from any other game. A few of the unlocks include new music tracks to listen to on your radio as you play through the game.
There are a bunch of collectibles in each level and a few hidden areas that are mostly around for achievements. You can replay any levels that you have completed if you want to go back and seek out all collectibles. All in all this game will take you around 5 hours to complete the first time and maybe another couple hours to collect everything in the game. To me this is a ton of value for a game that is only 10 dollars.
Tiny and Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers is a fun well done indie game that adds some innovative features to the platformer genre. The gameplay is well done and the story is light hearted and humorous throughout. For 10 dollars this game is completely worth the price and I can’t wait for the next game in the series.
