Telebbit

Just play it!

A near-perfect fast-paced puzzle platformer with incredible level design and replay value.

About This Game

Storyline

In the year 3023, Earth has become uninhabitable due to relentless wars, severe pollution, and devastating pandemics, forcing humanity to seek refuge underground. To navigate this subterranean world without exposure to the toxic environment, scientists develop teleportation technology as a primary means of transportation.

Within these underground labs, animals are subjected to experiments aimed at perfecting teleportation devices. During one such experiment, a malfunction results in a high-performance CPU being implanted into a rabbit's brain. This accident grants the rabbit enhanced intelligence and self-awareness. Fueled by the torment endured and the loss of fellow test subjects, the rabbit resolves to escape captivity and exact revenge on the humans responsible for its suffering.

Armed with the very teleportation technology intended for human use, the rabbit embarks on a perilous journey through eight distinct underground areas, each fraught with challenges and guarded by formidable bosses. Along the way, it encounters various characters, including other modified animals and dissenting humans, who provide assistance, share their stories, or pose additional threats. These interactions enrich the rabbit's understanding of the oppressive regime controlling the underground world and the widespread impact of the scientific experiments.

As the rabbit progresses, it uncovers deeper conspiracies behind the teleportation experiments, revealing the extent of the regime's control and the ethical compromises made in the name of survival.

The journey becomes not only a quest for personal vengeance but also a fight against the systemic oppression affecting all inhabitants of the underground society.

Talking to NPCs each time the rabbit is at the base is highly recommended, as they offer interesting lore and character interactions that enhance the experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

Telebbit is a fast-paced platformer that seamlessly blends speed and puzzle-solving. Despite the rapid movement, players must plan their actions strategically to navigate through levels efficiently. The core mechanics revolve around jumping and a teleport gun, with additional abilities unlocked along the way.

The primary goal of each level is to reach the end, allowing you to progress to the next level. Once you complete the first section of a world, you may return to the base, where an elevator transports you to the next sequence of levels. The game is organized into distinct worlds, each divided into two sets of levels, with the second set culminating in a boss fight. You can choose to replay any section you have already played at any time by selecting it in the elevator.

There are carrot collectibles in some levels that provide an additional layer of challenge, encouraging players to explore and refine their movement skills. However, missing a carrot can be frustrating, as players cannot return to a specific level within a set, they must replay the entire section from the beginning.

At any point during a level, you can press start to pause the game and choose the option to return to base. Selecting this option initiates a portal that transports you back to the base, effectively pausing and saving your progress within that world. Keep in mind that to resume from where you left off, you must enter the portal; if you choose to take the elevator instead, the current level section will restart. Fortunately, the game remembers the carrot collectibles you have already gathered, a feature that adds convenience and continuity to your progress.

Additionally, the in-game map clearly shows which levels contain carrot collectibles. By pressing start during gameplay, you can check this map at any time, and once a carrot is collected, it is marked accordingly.

Back to the core mechanics. The teleport gun allows players to instantly travel to the shot location, making it an essential tool for quick maneuvers and puzzle-solving.

Later in the game, players acquire a shooting gun that enables extra jumps or enemy elimination, though it requires charging by defeating enemies. It is important to note that the game carries over the current charge between levels, meaning players may occasionally start a level with fewer shots than expected. It would be preferable if each level reset the gun’s charge to full to avoid unnecessary grinding.

Another acquired ability is the teleporting portal, which shoots a portal ball that allows instant teleportation at the press of a button while maintaining movement momentum. This mechanic adds a fresh layer of complexity to platforming sections and is satisfying to master.

Every level and mechanic feels finely tuned, and the level design is superb. The variety of obstacles and platforming challenges ensures that no two levels feel the same.

Boss battles are another highlight, offering unique and engaging encounters that demand different strategies. Each fight feels distinct and provides a satisfying challenge.

Upon completing the main game, players unlock Overheat Mode, which significantly enhances replayability. In this mode, players must complete sets of levels within a fixed time limit to unlock an exclusive bonus level in each world. This addition rewards skillful play and makes for a fantastic post-game challenge. The bonus levels themselves are well-crafted and provide an additional layer of difficulty for those seeking an extra test of their platforming prowess.

Visuals & Audio

Telebbit features stunning pixel art with highly detailed environments and smooth animations. The aesthetic perfectly complements the fast-paced action and makes for an immersive experience.

The soundtrack is equally impressive, with music that enhances the gameplay and adds to the intensity of each level.

The combination of top-tier visuals and audio creates an engaging and memorable atmosphere.

Pros

Exceptional level design, with every level offering a meaningful challenge.
Smooth and precise movement mechanics that encourage strategic platforming.
Unique and varied boss fights that keep the experience fresh.
Engaging story and enjoyable NPC interactions.
Overheat Mode and bonus levels add substantial replay value.
The carrot collectibles increase the challenge and encourage skillful play.
Gorgeous pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack.

Cons

Each world is divided into two sets of levels, but players cannot return to a specific level within a set. If a collectible is missed, the entire section must be replayed from the beginning.
The game does not allow players to remap controller settings.
The save system is not intuitive.

To Be Improved

1) Level Selection & Backtracking – Allowing players to revisit individual levels within a set would prevent unnecessary replays for collectible completion.

2) Saving Clarity – The save system could be more intuitive. Players must manually select "Return to Base" from the menu to save, but the game does not make it clear that this action saves progress. Once selected, a portal appears for returning to the home base. However, entering the level elevator instead of using the portal results in lost progress. A clearer indication, such as "Return to Base AND SAVE" in the menu and a warning near the elevator, would improve clarity.

3) Gun Charge Carryover – Players sometimes start levels with fewer gun charges from the previous level. Resetting the gun charge at the start of each level would improve consistency.

4) Customizable Controls – The game does not allow players to remap controller settings. Adding a button configuration option would improve accessibility and comfort.

Conclusion

Telebbit is an exceptional game that comes incredibly close to perfection. With superb level design, tight mechanics, engaging boss battles, and rewarding replayability, it stands out as a top-tier puzzle platformer.

The inclusion of carrot collectibles and bonus levels add a great challenge, making exploration and precision movement even more satisfying.

The few minor issues, such as the lack of level selection, the unintuitive save system, and non-customizable controls, are small tweaks away from making it a flawless experience.

With just a few refinements, this could be a perfect 10!

Statistics

Time to beat: 6.8h (Not including Overheat Mode)

Rating: 9.8/10

Played on SteamDeck