Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

Genre: Puzzle / Party Game

Players: 2-Any (2-4 recommended) Co-Op (Local)

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Review:

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a puzzle game designed with cooperative play in mind, centered on a simple asymmetrical play concept: One player is interacting with a bomb, trying to defuse it before the timer runs out. He can’t see the instructions to defuse the bomb, but other players can, shuffling through pages of a bomb defusal manual (available freely in PDF/web format on www.bombmanual.com) and relaying instructions – however, they can’t see the bomb. As such, communication becomes absolutely vital between both sides, and that’s where much of the difficulty comes in.

Each bomb consists of a series of “modules”, which are rudimentary puzzles, each easily solved if the person looking at them actually knew what the rules were. A puzzle could be a series of buttons with cryptic symbols, or a grid-like “maze”, or a series of colored wires needing to be cut. They’re all randomized so players can’t just memorize puzzle solutions, and in most cases the bomb defuser will need to relay multiple pieces of information about them to their teammates shuffling through the manual, including details about serial numbers and other things attached to the various sides of the bomb.

It may sound complicated, but in practice it’s pretty straightforward, and manipulating and interacting with the bomb is pretty easy once you’ve figured out what to do. However, the really novel part of the experience is the asymmetrical play, and that’s where the Nintendo Switch really shines over other versions, since you can play it on the TV or in portable mode – whatever works best, so long as only the bomb defuser can see the bomb itself. Or, if you’re playing with kids or beginners, you can simply play on the TV while everyone gets used to the game, and then graduate to handheld mode when you want a challenge.

Graphically, the game isn’t going to turn any heads, but it gets the job done. It also does a good job of subtly ramping up the tension of the music as the bomb’s timer ticks closer to zero. For the type of game this is, the presentation is pretty ideal.

In the end, Keep Talking and No One Explodes is a great party game with a unique concept, a good amount of variety, and the Switch is probably the best platform for it. Those looking for a fun, unique co-op experience on the Switch would do well to give it a try.

tl;dr – Keep Talking and No One Explodes is a cooperative puzzle game where one player is defusing a bomb that others can’t see, and the others are relaying instructions from a manual that the bomb defuser can’t see. It’s a really inventive, fun, and unique game that’s sure to be a blast at parties.

Grade: A-

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