Thank you Reversed Interactive and Maximum Games for sending us this game to review!

Tyler: Model 005 is a very well-polished single player 3D-action puzzle-platform game that can be enjoyed on either Xbox One or Windows. You play as Tyler, a miniature robot accidentally powered on in a thunderstorm in 1955. In this game you progress through a series of story-based puzzles that may help reveal the mysteries of the robot(s) around you, the environment, and your creation.

To solve these puzzles, since you are but a miniature robot, it can be difficult to do certain things and reach certain heights such as the top of the stairs or the bookshelf. And since you can only restore your battery from light sources and the occasional “restore battery” item (which don’t appear too often) it makes things even more challenging. However, trying to figure out the answer (which can be different in the Windows version vs. the Xbox One version) will allow you to explore the environment and possibly find memories. Once you find a memory (what looks to be a blue orb), you will have the option to restore it. Once you do, you’ll see the words on the screen that Tyler is saying and he (you) will remember something about the past that relates to what you’re doing.

This is not true for all of the puzzles, but for some you may have to solve them in a certain order or find certain things before others.

It is guaranteed that as you are trying to solve these puzzles you will encounter enemies. These enemies are different, however, to those you would see in other games. In order to complete one of the puzzles I had to fight an auto vacuum. More common pests, though, are ones such as spiders, wasps, beetles, ants, and rats.

In almost every room in the house you are in, you will find tools that will allow you to customize your character’s looks and abilities. When customizing Tyler’s looks to your preference, you can change the head, face, accessories, hands, foot, paint job, and weapon to your liking. As for changing abilities, you just go up to the portal and exchange bolts for things like having more light exerted from yourself when your battery is full and how fast you move.

The controls for this game are sterling both using keyboard and mouse and the gamepad, though with the gamepad more so. With keyboard and mouse you use WASD to move, both left and right-click on the mouse are melee attacks, and you can use C to draw your sword. Tab is to reverse time, which can be useful in some maneuvers. Double tap W to roll, F to interact with certain objects such as turning lights on or making a music box play, B to roll, and R to pick stuff up, for you can hold certain items such as coffee mugs and pencils. As for Xbox One/gamepad controls, use the left stick to move, right stick to move the camera, A to jump, right trigger to throw a cherry bomb (cherry bombs are very helpful when fighting bugs), and all of the other triggers are for melee attacks, but you can draw your sword with Y so that the triggers, except RB, will allow you to swing your blade at the enemies you encounter.

While focusing on the puzzles in the game, you barely notice the music. But when it gets to its climax, it can be quite charming and complimentary to the gameplay. Which, in fact, is pretty good. Even when I had to turn to YouTube walkthroughs for help, I still found the game to be very entertaining.

The graphics, in every way, are superb. Everything, once you launch the title, is shown in great detail and color. If your monitor cannot support the highest of resolutions, you can adjust that of the game. The animation, too, was without bugs or lag. I found that the astounding graphics genuinely complimented the gameplay and story.

Tyler: Model 005 has great gameplay, controls, sound, graphics, and a lovely story that made me tear up at the end. When you are hurt by an enemy, the edges of the screen go red for a moment, but that’s just about as far as moral warnings go. I very much recommend this title for anyone even if they aren’t looking for a 3D-action puzzle game like this one. I look forward to future games from this developer.