If you look at the title of Uri: The Sprout of Lotus Creek through squinted eyes, you might get a pretty good clue of what this game is about. This is a game where the UI, or user interface, becomes an essential part of the gameplay as you use it to help Uri solve various puzzles. This platformer puzzle game turns the user interface elements—pause and sound buttons, the health bar—into mystical symbols that only prince Uri can manipulate. That’s a pretty smart idea that makes the game work on multiple levels and makes Uri truly a hero who can see beyond all the other characters in the game. In a way, he’s Neo from the Matrix, able to see the code behind the screen.
Uri has some really lovely visuals, with an emphasis on Southeast Asian architecture that gives the game an Arabian nights kind of feel. And, judging from the trailer, the game also has pretty lovely music. I like smart takes on the platformer formula, and as long as the UI interaction isn’t a gimmick and the puzzles are smart, Uri should be fun to play. Uri: The Sprout of Lotus Creek releases September 14th, and you can find out more about the game in our Upcoming Games forum thread.
