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KeyWe

KeyWe is a 2021 puzzle-platform video game developed by Stonewheat & Sons and published by Sold Out. The game was released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on August 31, later releasing on September 28 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S ports were released on December 16. KeyWe follows Jeff and Debra, two kiwis working at the Bungalow Basin Telepost Office. KeyWe was prototyped during the 2018 Global Game Jam. Grant Gessel, the technical artist, took inspiration from Going Postal, a story by Terry Pratchett. Rare games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day inspired KeyWe's art style. KeyWe received mixed reviews from critics.

KeyWe
Developer(s)Stonewheat & Sons
Publisher(s)Sold Out
Artist(s)Grant Gessel
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows, Nintendo Switch
  • August 31, 2021
  • PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
  • September 28, 2021
  • Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • December 16, 2021
Genre(s)Puzzle-platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

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Jeff and Debra have to type the word "pants" by using the keys in the level.

KeyWe's story takes place over three seasons:[1] Summer, Wickertide, and Winter.[2] Players control Jeff and Debra, two flightless birds.[3] The kiwis can push and pull objects, or grab letters with their beaks.[4] The kiwis can also use their butts to collect labels and press buttons.[4] Each mission has a main objective that has to be completed.[5] The puzzles receive modifiers as the player progresses.[1] In one level, Kudzu vines have to be removed to move boxes around the office.[2] Some buttons may change places, and messages may be written in code.[1] The main stages task the players with typing messages, placing the correct postcodes and labels on packages, and sorting incoming and outgoing mail.[3] Beating target times rewards the player with stamps, which can be used to purchase cosmetic items for the kiwis.[3] Players can replay levels to earn more stamps.[1] More stamps can be received from playing minigames such as playing instruments and riding cassowaries.[3]

Development and release

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KeyWe is the first game by US developer Stonewheat & Sons.[6] The game was prototyped during the 2018 Global Game Jam.[7] During the event, the developers picked a modifier, and was given "Your game must contain a bird protagonist".[7] The developers liked the idea of postal birds that couldn't fly, and had to work at desk job instead.[7] One of the developers drew a picture of a bird wearing a headset, and the team later decided on a game with two birds sending telegrams by typing with their butts.[8] Grant Gessel is Stonewheat's technical artist, and Joel Davis is the animator.[9] Stonewheat wanted the game to be accessible to families.[8] Gessel took inspiration from Terry Pratchett's Going Postal, a story about a conman who is given an opportunity to work as a postmaster.[10] Rare games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day were inspirations for KeyWe's art style.[10]

In February, Sold Out announced KeyWe for PC, with a planned release date of 2021.[11] Sold Out showcased the game at their booth at Pax East 2020, along with Disjunction, No Straight Roads, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder, and Radical Rabbit Stew.[12] In May, KeyWe was one of 55 games featured at the Wholesome Direct.[13][14] KeyWe made an appearance at The Escapist's Indie Showcase.[15] A trailer was featured at Gamescom 2020.[16] Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S versions were announced in February 2021.[17] The game was set to release in the summer.[18][19] On April 14, the game was shown at the Nintendo Indie World showcase.[20][21] The game was given a release date of August. Owners of the Switch version would receive an exclusive outfit.[22] On May 27, 2021, KeyWe's release date of August 31 was announced.[23] Those who pre-ordered the game would receive the Early Bird Pack.[23] KeyWe was featured at the Wholesome Direct of E3 2021.[24][25] It was also one of over 45 games featured during the Future Games Show.[26] KeyWe's demo was available during the Steam Next Fest.[27] KeyWe was released for PC and Nintendo Switch on August 31, 2021.[28] On September 28, the game was released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.[29][30] Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S versions were released on December 16.[28]

DLC for PC called "The 100th Annual Grand Ol' Telepost Tournament" was released in February 2022.[31] At W.A.S.D 2022, KeyWe made an appearance at Fireshine's[a] stand, along with games such as Silt.[33] KeyWe was added to GeForce Now in June.[34][35]

Reception

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KeyWe received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[36][37] The game received a score of 29/40 from Famitsu, based on individual reviews of 6, 7, 8, and 8.[38]

Writing for Shacknews, Sam Chandler wrote that KeyWe "something special" and a "charming, yet challenging experience". He praised the puzzles, mini-games, and "charming" visuals. Chandler criticized the controls, calling them "finicky".[1] Slant Magazine's Aaron Riccio wrote that KeyWe "turns a game about operating a telepost into a noble calling".[2] Stephen Tailby from Push Square rated KeyWe 7/10 stars, praising the cooperative challenges and the "cute" presentation. However, Tailby criticized the controls, calling them "occasionally iffy".[3]

Shacknews gave the game an honorable mention in their "Top 10 Indie Games of the Year 2021".[39] Rock Paper Shotgun included the game in its "25 best non-violent games on PC" list.[40] PCMag listed the game as number eight in their "10 Terrific Indie Games You Might Have Missed In 2021" list.[41] Android Central included the game in their "Best social and co-op games for PS4 and PS5 in 2022" list.[42]

Awards and nominations

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KeyWe won the award for Best Family Game at the 2020 Gamescom Awards.[43] In 2021, KeyWe was a finalist for Best Social Game at TIGA's UK Games Industry Awards.[44] At the 2022 Independent Games Festival, the game received an honorable mention for Excellence in Design.[45]

Year Association Category Result Ref
2020 Gamescom Awards Best Family Game Won [43]
2021 UK Games Industry Awards Best Social Game Finalist [44]
2022 Independent Games Festival Excellence in Design Honorable Mention [45]

References

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Notes
  1. ^ Sold Out rebranded to Fireshine Games in March 2022.[32]
  2. ^ Score based on 6 reviews.
  3. ^ Score based on 5 reviews.
References
  1. ^ a b c d e f Chandler, Sam (August 31, 2021). "KeyWe review: Two birds, one job". Shacknews. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Riccio, Aaron (August 31, 2021). "Review: KeyWe Delivers a Detail-Rich, Charmingly Packaged Co-Op Experience". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Tailby, Stephen (October 7, 2021). "Review: KeyWe (PS5) – Two Birdbrains Are Better Than One in Quirky Co-Op Title". Push Square. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Bell, Alice (August 31, 2021). "KeyWe review: extremely cute, but this is no way to run a post office". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Chandler, Sam (July 29, 2021). "KeyWe hands-on preview: Overcooked in the post office". Shacknews. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Loveridge, Sam (June 13, 2021). "KeyWe delivers cute and chaotic fun with its evolving, seasonal levels". GamesRadar+. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Harrison, Christian (July 15, 2021). "KeyWe Interview: Stonewheat and Sons Discuss the Joys and Hardships of Making an Indie Game". Game Rant. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Avard, Alex (June 14, 2021). "How KeyWe reimagines the co-op chaos of Overcooked in the post office for family-friendly, flightless fun". GamesRadar+. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  9. ^ Denzer, TJ (June 23, 2020). "ShackStream: KeyWe developer interview". Shacknews. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Harrison, Christian (July 13, 2021). "How Rare and Terry Pratchett Inspired KeyWe". Game Rant. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  11. ^ Romano, Sal (February 20, 2020). "Cooperative mail delivery game KeyWe for PC launches in 2021". Gematsu. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  12. ^ Grubb, Jeff (February 20, 2020). "Indie publisher Sold Out is bringing 5 games to PAX East". VentureBeat. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  13. ^ Watts, Steve (May 26, 2020). "All 55 Games Games Featured In The "Wholesome Direct"". GameSpot. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  14. ^ Morton, Lauren (May 27, 2020). "Check out all the kind and cute games shown off in the Wholesome Direct". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  15. ^ Clayton, Natalie (June 11, 2020). "Catch up with The Escapist's packed Indie Showcase stream". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (August 30, 2020). "Gamescom 2020 Highlights: The Biggest Game Announcements, Trailers, and Gameplay". IGN. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  17. ^ Romano, Sal (February 17, 2021). "KeyWe adds PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch versions; launches this summer". Gematsu. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  18. ^ Borthwick, Ben (February 17, 2021). "KeyWe is a co-op puzzler that sees you run a post office as a pair of Kiwi birds". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  19. ^ Morton, Lauren (February 17, 2021). "Co-op puzzler KeyWe will launch this summer". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  20. ^ Kim, Matt (April 14, 2021). "OlliOlli World and 20 More Games Announced at Nintendo's April 14 Indie World Showcase". IGN. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  21. ^ Watts, Steve (April 14, 2021). "Nintendo Indie World Showcase: All The Games And Trailers". GameSpot. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Romano, Sal (April 14, 2021). "KeyWe launches in August". Gematsu. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  23. ^ a b Romano, Sal (May 27, 2021). "KeyWe launches August 31". Gematsu. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  24. ^ Bell, Alice (June 15, 2021). "Every game from Wholesome Direct 2021, grouped by genre". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  25. ^ Spear, Rebecca (June 12, 2021). "Several feel-good games announced during this year's Wholesome Direct". iMore. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  26. ^ Sheehan, Gavin (June 13, 2021). "We Recap Almost Everything In The Future Games Show At E3 2021". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  27. ^ Hetfeld, Malindy (June 17, 2021). "You can play demos of these 52 E3 games right now". PC Gamer. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  28. ^ a b Game Informer Editorial. "2021 Video Game Release Schedule". Game Informer. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  29. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (September 26, 2021). "The Week In Games: A Whole New World, A Dazzling Place". Kotaku. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Borthwick, Ben (September 23, 2021). "KeyWe brings its postal puzzling birds to PlayStation 5 and PS4 next week". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  31. ^ Edwards, Trevor (February 23, 2022). "Co-Op Game KeyWe Gets New Tournament DLC and Finally Releases on Xbox". Game Rant. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  32. ^ Partis, Danielle (March 7, 2022). "Sold Out rebrands to Fireshine Games as it ramps up digital portfolio". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  33. ^ Regan, Tom (April 14, 2022). "W.A.S.D 2022: an intimate return to in-person indie events". NME. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  34. ^ Broadwell, Josh (June 3, 2022). "Grab God of War on GeForce Now before it leaves the platform for good". PCGamesN. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  35. ^ Kaser, Rachel (June 2, 2022). "GeForce Now adds 25 new games to service for June". VentureBeat. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  36. ^ a b "KeyWe for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  37. ^ a b "KeyWe for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  38. ^ a b "KeyWe-キーウィ- (Switch)のレビュー・評価・感想". Famitsu (in Japanese). Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  39. ^ Shack Staff (December 31, 2021). "Shacknews Top 10 Indie Games of the Year 2021". Shacknews. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  40. ^ Alice, Holly; Meer, Alec (December 15, 2021). "The 25 best non-violent games on PC". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  41. ^ Jensen, K. Thor (December 14, 2021). "10 Terrific Indie Games You Might Have Missed In 2021". PCMag. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  42. ^ Locke, Jennifer; Shore, Matt (May 5, 2022). "Best social and co-op games for PS4 and PS5 in 2022". Android Central. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  43. ^ a b Sinclair, Brendan (August 31, 2020). "Cyberpunk 2077 tops Best of Gamescom awards". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  44. ^ a b Stephenson, Suzi (November 1, 2021). "TIGA announces the UK Games Industry Awards 2021 Finalists". TIGA. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  45. ^ a b Blake, Vikki (January 9, 2022). "Inscryption and Unpacking lead nominations in this year's Independent Games Festival". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
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