“Completely Stretchy” is a creative game from Warp Digital, a company that supports the whimsical and unusual in video games. The game invites players to explore the fantastical Grombi Isles while taking on the role of a Grombi, a character with a unique, stretchy arm that helps them move around and solve the island’s many problems. It is set in a vibrant 3D open-world environment.
The wider themes of absurdity and charm that run through the experience are furthered by this charming premise, which is not just about gameplay techniques.
Players who enjoy lighthearted, comedic adventures reminiscent of titles like “PHOGS!” or “Untitled Goose Game” should play the game. These games are fun because they have silly jobs and character interactions that make you laugh instead of stressed. In “Completely Stretchy,” players must find lost Elektros, which are soft, living things essential to the island’s power, and help other Grombis with their crazy problems.
Casual gamers and those looking for a fun, relaxing experience will find it especially appealing thanks to its engaging blend of exploration and problem-solving. Its whimsical nature is perfectly complemented by the art style, characterized by pastel colors and cell-shaded graphics, establishing a world that begs for exploration.
Mastering the Stretch: A Deep Dive into Gameplay Mechanics
The stretchy arm is the unique core mechanic at “Completely Stretchy.” The WASD keys are used to move the Grombi character, and the mouse is used to navigate the camera, creating a smooth and user-friendly control scheme.
The left mouse button enables the sticky feature, allowing the Grombi to stick to different objects and swing through the Grombi Isles’ colorful landscapes. This feature makes exploration easier and creates a sense of freedom, reminiscent of the swinging mechanics found in titles like “Spider-Man,” but in a much more fun and whimsical way.
Interacting with the environment is a crucial part of gameplay. Players can grab things, climb stairs, or swing from poles, all while using their stretchy arms to overcome challenges. Mastering the arm’s mechanics is crucial because retrieving Elektros frequently requires players to move through tight areas. Players who find new and interesting ways to navigate the environment will receive rewards from surprises and hidden secrets in the game.
There are some challenges when using the stretchy mechanics, though. The controls might be a bit wonky for some players, especially when making exact moves or finding their way around complicated environments. The game’s physics can sometimes be frustrating, similar to how the controls sometimes didn’t work right in “Octodad: Dadliest Catch,” where the funny gameplay can sometimes become crazy. This adds to the charm of “Completely Stretchy,” but it might turn off people who want a more finished experience.
Overall, the gameplay loop is cleverly woven into the stretchy mechanics, making chores fun while also presenting challenges that need time and practice to master.
Whimsical Worlds: Unpacking the Story and Setting of Grombi Isles
The narrative of “Completely Stretchy” starts with a believable premise: the main character, a normal worker at the Elektro plant, finds their life changed when a routine test goes wrong.
This explosion changes their bodies, giving them a vibrant, stretchy blue arm and sending them on a mission to find the Elektros, the small, fuzzy things that give the Grombi Isles their power. As the protagonist learns to navigate their new abilities while helping their whimsical neighbors, this transformation serves as a clever vehicle for exploring themes of adaptability and resilience.
The Grombi Isles are a colorful and varied setting of different areas contributing to the game’s charm. The lush greenery and vibrant flora of the Nature Isle contrast with the industrial Isle’s dominance of factories and machines. The balance between nature and business is reflected in this contrast, which also enriches the visual experience.
Each area is packed with strange characters and humorous side quests, reminiscent of the lighthearted environments in games like “Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles,” where exploration and interaction are crucial. Players are drawn into a world that amuses them with its absurdity while promoting exploration and curiosity thanks to the whimsical design and interesting narrative.
Visuals and Sound: Crafting a Playful Atmosphere
The visual style of “Completely Stretchy” is important in establishing the whimsical atmosphere of the game. The cell-shaded graphics and pastel color scheme create a vibrant and hospitable world that is playful and surreal. By choosing this style, the absurdity of the Grombi characters—which look like a mix of blobfish and cartoonish creatures—is emphasized, and the different biomes of the Grombi Isles can be easily distinguished.
Each Grombi has exaggerated features that enhance their quirky personalities, making their character designs unique and memorable. Similar to other titles like “Fortnite” and “Borderlands,” which also use bright colors and stylized graphics to engage players, this visual style of the game successfully captures the lighthearted tone of the game.
Along with this beautiful visual experience is music that perfectly fits the game’s mood. The player’s sense of joy and whimsy is heightened by the audio design’s light, bouncy sounds, further immersing them in the world. Character sounds, such as funny grunts and responses, add charm, reminiscent of the humorous audio cues in games like “Animal Crossing.”
Players are encouraged to explore and interact with their surroundings while keeping a constant sense of fun thanks to the attention to detail in sound design, which creates an interesting environment. The images and sound work together to make a smooth experience, highlighting the game’s lighthearted nature and making it a joy to play and watch.
Adventurous Discoveries: The Joy of Exploration and Side Quests
The freedom it gives players to explore the Grombi Isles’ many settings makes “Completely Stretchy” great. The open-world design fosters a sense of adventure by allowing players to freely move through lush woods, industrial zones, and strange urban settings. This freedom is reminiscent of titles like “Breath of the Wild,” where exploration is rewarded with secrets and hidden treasures.
Players can interact with various objects, swing from trees, climb buildings, and interact with them, creating a dynamic and responsive environment. The game piques players’ interest by hiding collectibles and shocks in its many nooks and crannies, ensuring that players are always interested in their immediate surroundings.
In addition to exploration, the game is packed with fun side quests that enhance gameplay and offer a fun break from the main goals. Delivering packages while ensuring they don’t hit the ground and helping other Grombis with strange problems like finding lost children or taking a funny spin class are just two examples of the varied tasks available. These side quests give you Elektros, which you need to move forward in the game and contribute to the experience’s overall charm and humor.
Players are drawn into a whimsical narrative that inspires them to embrace the world’s absurdity through the variety of tasks, which shows off the developers’ creativity. Similar to how side missions in “Persona 5” enhance the main storyline and character growth, this method of side quests enhances replayability and adds depth to the game. “Completely Stretchy”‘s exploration and side quests create a captivating experience that keeps players returning for more.
Endless Fun: Assessing Longevity and Replayability
For a game of its whimsical nature, “Completely Stretchy” has an expected playtime of around 20 hours. The content provides a satisfying sense of progression, organized around a blend of major missions and many side quests. Players are encouraged to fully explore the game world because gathering Elektros moves the narrative forward and lets them upgrade their stretchy arms in different ways.
These improvements enhance gameplay by allowing for longer and stickier grips, opening up new areas and challenges. This sense of development is similar to the progression systems found in games like “Ratchet & Clank,” where character upgrades have a big effect on gameplay and exploration options.
“Completely Stretchy” may not have a lot of replayability despite its interesting material. Since there isn’t a multiplayer mode, players who want to interact with other people or compete won’t find much to keep returning after they’ve finished the main content.
However, the game’s odd charm, many collectibles, and strange side quests can make players want to play it again for a fun heart experience. Players might want to come back for another laugh because of the humorous conversation and ridiculous situations. The game may not have the extensive replayability of titles like “Mario Kart” or “Overcooked,” which are great for online chaos. Still, its unique style and fun gameplay make it a worthwhile experience to play again.
Quirky Characters and Comedic Charm: The Heart of the Game
The core of “Completely Stretchy” lies in its unique humor, which permeates the gameplay and the narrative. The game uses an absurdist, playful style reminiscent of titles like “Untitled Goose Game,” where the humor comes from how the characters interact with the world.
Players are given many funny moments, from their stretchy protagonist’s awkward antics to NPCs’ ridiculous requests. The dialogue is full of witty one-liners and playful banter, creating a fun environment that keeps players laughing as they navigate different tasks. Players may find themselves, for instance, helping a Grombi who hilariously misunderstands everyday words and phrases, which can lead to tasks that make no sense at all.
Another strong point is the variety of Grombi characters, each with unique traits and quirks. These characters not only look different, with over-the-top features and vibrant colors, but they also act funny, which helps to enhance the comedic tone. Some Grombis might be too dramatic, while others might act innocent, creating a vibrant group that begs players to interact with them.
Also, the game cleverly includes references to popular culture, like old cartoons or internet memes, that make sense to players and add to the humor. This cultural reference enriches the experience and makes the game’s comedic parts feel new and relatable, which builds a connection with the audience and keeps the experience fun and interesting.
The Review
Completely Stretchy
"Completely Stretchy" is a fun adventure through a vibrant world of strange characters and interesting gameplay. Its blend of humorous dialogue, charming visuals, and engaging exploration creates a whimsical experience that encourages players to embrace its absurdity. Although the game lacks multiplayer and some precision in the controls, its creativity and sense of fun shine through, making it a memorable journey.
PROS
- Whimsical and vibrant art style.
- Engaging and humorous dialogue.
- Diverse exploration with interactive environments.
- Varied and quirky side quests.
- Unique character designs.
CONS
- Lack of multiplayer options.
- Some controls can be imprecise.
- Limited replayability after completing main content.
