Info about Degrees of Separation:

Official game description:
  
Degrees of Separation is a 2D puzzle-adventure game that requires players to harness the elements of heat and cold to succeed. Two contrasting souls, Ember and Rime, are separated by an enigmatic force, and must use their respective powers to progress through a spectacular world of fantasy and adventure. Players take on the roles of Ember and Rime in single-player and cooperative multiplayer to solve the game's environmental obstacles, drawing on their unique skills to traverse through beautiful, puzzle-filled environments. The two will learn to lean on one another, their individual forces working to bring them closer together...or tear them apart.  
2D Adventure Platforming
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Experience beautifully crafted 2D worlds with a deeply immersive art style based on the aspects of contrasting temperatures.
Innovative Storytelling
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Discover the potential of dual protagonists Ember and Rime and follow a complex story by acclaimed video game writer Chris Avellone.
Environmental Puzzles
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Navigate distinct worlds and solve complex puzzles to organically alter situations and surroundings.
Cooperative Gameplay
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Harness the powers of Ember and Rime in both single-player and cooperative multiplayer to interact with the environment in a variety of ways, both separately and as a team.
Non-Linear Levels
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Traverse through diverse landscapes that each introduce a new game mechanic, weaving together gameplay, narrative, and character progression.

Release date: Feb 13, 2019

Categories: 2D Platformer, Puzzle Platformer, Local Co-op Multiplayer, Online Co-op, Environmental Puzzle, Single-player, Dual-character Mechanic, Relaxing and Cozy Gameplay

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Playable with noticeable control and navigation friction; summary: The reviews do not report Steam Deck-specific hard blockers such as launcher failures, anti-cheat errors, crashes, unreadable text, battery drain, or failed launches. The recurring friction is input and navigation: controls are called imprecise or unintuitive, navigation lacks a clear map or overview, puzzles demand excessive precision, and co-op split/hitbox behavior makes movement awkward. The game appears playable but not seamless on Steam Deck, requiring adaptation to controls and navigation.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently frame the game as a short co-op experience with limited replay value, making a discount purchase the main value case. One reviewer explicitly says it is worth at least $5, while another suggests that 20€ for two copies at full price is steep, implying about 10€ or less per copy is more reasonable. Together, these comments support a fair base-game range of roughly $5 to $10 USD, with stronger value at the lower end.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 3.0h
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The 9-hour 100% achievement report and the under-10-hour 100% clear support a gameCompletion estimate of about 10 hours. A Portuguese review states the game can be beaten in a few hours and lists 3 hours playtime, supporting a storyCompletion estimate of about 3 hours. A German review says the player cannot endure more than about 30 minutes at a stretch, supporting a sessionLength of roughly 0.5 hours. No review provides a distinct post-story or endgame time, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts as an appealing heat-and-cold co-op puzzler, but repetition and slow pacing make it less enjoyable as it goes. Co-op play is the key condition for a worthwhile one-time experience; solo play is much weaker.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Solo play feels boring; Repetitive puzzles; Slow pacing; Clunky controls; Floaty movement; Bugs
  - Unlock drivers: Playing with a co-op partner; Finding a puzzle solution
  - Conditions: Playing in co-op; Enjoying light puzzle platformers; Seeking a one-time couch co-op experience; Tolerance for repetitive puzzle design; Playing solo reduces engagement; Preference for calm, relaxing games
- Player Archetypes:
  - Couch Co-op Casual Duo (buy)
    - Motivation: Shared, relaxed puzzle solving with a partner, friend, or child.
    - Playstyle: Local co-op sessions with light puzzle platforming, usually for one playthrough.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: co-op
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Solo Completionist Puzzle Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastering and completing the puzzle challenges alone.
    - Playstyle: Plays solo, controls both characters, hunts completion goals, and works around harder co-op-oriented sections.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: solo; single player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Partnerless Solo Player Who Bounces Off (no buy)
    - Motivation: Wanting the intended co-op puzzle adventure but attempting it without a partner.
    - Playstyle: Solo attempts at co-op timing puzzles, often stopping before finishing.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: solo
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Puzzle Platformer Genre Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Novel heat-and-cold puzzle mechanics and clever platformer design.
    - Playstyle: Puzzle-focused platforming, preferably in co-op, with interest in mechanics over narrative.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Trine


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Well-designed engaging puzzles (weight 0.57): Players consistently praise the puzzles as well-crafted, creative, and interesting, with some finding them brain-teasing and satisfying to solve. The puzzle design is a core strength of the game.
- Beautiful art and visuals (weight 0.5): Reviewers widely agree that the art style, graphics, and visuals are beautiful, colorful, and crisp. The aesthetic appeal is a recurring positive point.
- Excellent couch co-op experience (weight 0.47): Many reviewers highlight the game as a great local co-op experience for two players, enjoying playing with a partner or duo. It is frequently described as a charming and relaxing co-op game.
- Easy and accessible difficulty (weight 0.23): The puzzles are generally considered not too difficult, making the game enjoyable even for those who are not skilled at puzzles. This accessibility is seen as a positive for a relaxing experience.
- Nice variety of mechanics (weight 0.23): The game constantly introduces new mechanics, with each level or world having its own twist, which keeps the gameplay fresh and adds depth. Reviewers find the evolving mechanics clever.
- Works well solo and co-op (weight 0.2): Players appreciate that the game is fully playable in single-player as well as in co-op, offering flexibility. The solo mode works well overall and does not require a partner.
- Cozy and calm music (weight 0.14): The soundtrack is often described as cozy, sleepy, and calm, fitting the game's meditative atmosphere. The music enhances the overall relaxing experience.
- Meditative and aesthetic experience (weight 0.14): Reviewers appreciate the game as a beautiful and meditative 2D puzzle game, with a purely aesthetic appeal. The combination of visuals and calming music creates a serene experience.
- Good but with some flaws (weight 0.13): While the game has good elements overall, some reviewers note it is fun despite its flaws. The general sentiment is still positive.
- Enjoyable story (weight 0.11): The story is described as beautiful and good, with some mentioning interesting endings. While not the main focus, it adds to the overall experience.
- Unique heat and cold mechanic (weight 0.09): A standout feature is the unique puzzle mechanic based on heat and cold interaction, which players find refreshing and genuinely innovative. This mechanic adds a distinctive flavor to the puzzles.
- Simple and easy to pick up (weight 0.08): The gameplay is simple to understand and easy to pick up, making it accessible to a wide audience. This contributes to the game's relaxing nature.
- Appealing concept (weight 0.08): The core idea and concept of the game are found to be nice and appealing, drawing players in. It is considered a unique take on the puzzle genre.
- Achievement-friendly (weight 0.07): It is totally possible to get all achievements, making it suitable for achievement hunters. This adds replay value for some players.

Common complaints:
- Puzzles are tedious and repetitive (weight 0.48): Puzzles are often described as tedious, repetitive, and lacking variety. Some are overly complicated or rely on brute force rather than clever design.
- Story is unengaging and poorly told (weight 0.42): The narrative is often described as meh, disconnected, and lacking emotional depth. The romance feels forced and the plot is hard to follow.
- Bugs and glitches disrupt play (weight 0.39): Various bugs, such as getting stuck in textures, flying unexpectedly, and rope glitches, often force level restarts. These issues significantly impact the experience.
- Clunky and imprecise controls (weight 0.36): Many players find the controls stiff, imprecise, and frustrating. This affects basic movement and puzzle execution, with some describing them as very bad.
- Difficulty is uneven and frustrating (weight 0.36): Puzzle difficulty is inconsistent, with some levels being very easy and others requiring extreme precision or luck. Sudden spikes in difficulty cause frustration.
- Confusing map and navigation (weight 0.31): The hub world and map are often confusing, making it hard to know where to go or find collectibles. Lack of clear indicators for doors and scarves adds to the confusion.
- Solo play is frustrating (weight 0.31): Playing solo requires controlling both characters simultaneously, which is often frustrating and clumsy. Some puzzles are designed for co-op but are nearly impossible alone.
- Frequent online connection issues (weight 0.25): Online multiplayer suffers from constant disconnects and poor netcode, especially over long distances. Ping can also make puzzles harder than intended.
- Pacing and repetitiveness (weight 0.23): The game's pacing is slow, and the experience becomes repetitive after the initial levels. Mechanics and puzzles change little, leading to boredom.
- Movement feels floaty and imprecise (weight 0.22): Character movement, including jumping and falling, is often described as floaty, slow, and lacking fluidity. This makes precise platforming difficult.
- Gamepad and control binding problems (weight 0.21): Some players have trouble with gamepad detection and key rebinding. Non-QWERTY keyboard layouts can make the game unplayable.
- Narrator is annoying and overbearing (weight 0.19): The constant narration is often found redundant, annoying, and poorly written. It detracts from the gameplay and can ruin the mood.
- Lack of guidance and hints (weight 0.19): Players frequently mention a lack of direction, hints, or subtle clues for puzzles. This leads to frustration and the need to look up solutions online.
- Save and progress issues (weight 0.19): Issues with saving, such as corrupted save files and forced replays of chapters, are frustrating. Some players lost progress due to these problems.
- Jumping and platforming are difficult (weight 0.18): Jumping feels crippled and imprecise, with some jumps requiring luck. Platforming elements are often frustrating and get in the way of puzzle solving.
- Lack of Chinese language support (weight 0.18): The game does not officially support Chinese, forcing players to rely on external patches or tutorials. This is a significant barrier for Chinese-speaking players.
- Graphics and animations look cheap (weight 0.17): Some players find the graphics and animations to be lackluster, with visuals that don't hold up to close inspection and a mobile-game-like appearance.
- Not worth the price (weight 0.16): Several reviewers feel the game is overpriced, even on sale, and lacks the content or quality to justify the cost. The short length and lack of replay value exacerbate this.
- Split-screen camera issues (weight 0.13): The split-screen implementation sometimes hides parts of the map or makes it hard to see when characters are separated. The camera occasionally behaves erratically.
- Physics and collision problems (weight 0.11): Collision detection is often wrong, and hitboxes make movement strange, especially with ropes and tight spaces. Characters can get stuck on pixels or fail to climb.

Gameplay feedback:
- Co-op puzzle game for two (weight 0.41): Players frequently describe the game as a two-player cooperative puzzle experience, often requiring two copies for co-op play.
- Puzzle-based gameplay (weight 0.32): The core experience is puzzle-solving, with many levels requiring players to think through challenges.
- Solo or co-op play (weight 0.26): The game supports both single-player and cooperative modes, allowing solo players to control both characters.
- Collectible scarves to progress (weight 0.25): Scarves serve as collectibles that unlock new worlds, though not all are required to finish the game.
- Introduces new mechanics (weight 0.24): New mechanics are introduced throughout the game, with each level adding depth to the gameplay.
- 2D co-op platformer (weight 0.23): The game is a 2D platforming adventure with cooperative puzzle-solving elements central to its design.
- Online multiplayer supported (weight 0.21): Online co-op is available alongside local play, enabling remote cooperative sessions.
- Designed for two players (weight 0.15): The game is often described as best suited for two players, whether friends or a couple, and can also be played solo.
- Opposing character powers (weight 0.11): The two characters have complementary abilities that affect each other's reach, with each level introducing new interaction mechanics.
- Multiple endings (weight 0.1): The game features two different endings, encouraging replay or different choices.
- Hub world in castle (weight 0.1): A central hub located in a castle connects the various worlds and levels.
- Constant narration (weight 0.1): A narrator describes on-screen events and explains the story as players progress.
- Heat and cold puzzles (weight 0.08): Puzzles revolve around manipulating warm and cold elements to solve challenges.
- Cooperation is core mechanic (weight 0.08): Forced cooperation between players is central to solving puzzles and progressing through the game.
- Puzzles require coordination (weight 0.08): Puzzles often demand players to think together and coordinate their actions to succeed.
- Skip puzzles and return (weight 0.07): Players can skip puzzles and return to them later, with some puzzles only required near the end.
- Split-screen separation effect (weight 0.07): When players separate, a split effect occurs, and players use split powers to solve puzzles.
- Relaxing couch co-op (weight 0.07): The game is described as a relaxing couch co-op experience suitable for local play.
- Item collection achievements (weight 0.07): Achievements are available for collecting items, adding optional goals for completionists.

Performance notes:
- Gamepad detection and output issues (weight 0.12): Players encounter gamepad detection problems at launch, including second gamepads not being detected. Additionally, a gamepad was incorrectly set as an audio output device.
- High latency and ping issues (weight 0.09): Online co-op suffers from high latency, with ping often exceeding 200ms. This affects overall playability and can make some puzzles more difficult.
- Netcode problems over long distances (weight 0.09): Playing between distant regions like EU and USA causes netcode issues. Ropes may glitch on the partner's side on Switch, making progress impossible.
- Game does not save (weight 0.05): The game fails to save progress, which can lead to lost gameplay. This is a critical issue for players.

Recommendations:
- Strong co-op recommendation (weight 0.43): Many reviewers highly recommend the game for couples, friends, and partners, especially for local co-op. It is repeatedly described as best enjoyed with another player.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.31): Multiple reviewers advise against buying at full price and recommend waiting for a discount. The game is considered worth it only at a lower price.
- Better with two players (weight 0.24): Feedback consistently says co-op is the intended and superior way to play. Playing with a partner or friend is emphasized over solo play.
- Relaxing puzzle platformer (weight 0.2): The game is recommended for fans of relaxing puzzle games and light puzzle platformers. It is described as soft, calm, and suitable for casual play.
- Solo play less enjoyable (weight 0.18): Several players find solo play less interesting and say it does not capture the full charm compared to co-op. Some quit or recommend skipping certain parts when playing alone.
- Short but satisfying (weight 0.15): Reviewers note the game can be completed in a few hours, with satisfaction coming from taking time to solve puzzles. It is seen as good for a single playthrough or a few sessions.
- Refunded due to unmet expectations (weight 0.14): Some players requested refunds because the game did not live up to its interesting premise. Others simply do not recommend the game at all.
- Good value for money (weight 0.12): Several comments highlight the game as good for the price, top-tier for the money, or worth at least $5 on sale. It is considered a solid budget purchase.
- General positive recommendation (weight 0.1): A few reviewers give a solid recommend or thumbs up without specific caveats.
- Local co-op preferred over online (weight 0.08): Local co-op is suggested to be better than online co-op. Online play may be fine with low ping or if neither player uses a Switch Lite.
- Play with compatible partner (weight 0.08): Reviewers suggest playing with someone smart and not too stubborn who can think together. It is recommended if puzzles do not cause frustration between players.
- Good for achievements (weight 0.05): The game is considered suitable for collecting all achievements, according to one reviewer.
- Minor animation issues (weight 0.04): One reviewer notes the animations as a drawback but still considers the game worth playing if you can overlook them.
- Good filler game (weight 0.04): One comment describes it as a good filler until the next Trine game comes out.
- Good for cozy platforming (weight 0.04): One reviewer recommends it for couples for cozy platforming.
- Solo fully playable (weight 0.04): Despite apparent co-op requirement, the game is fully playable solo, according to one reviewer.
- Fun accusing each other (weight 0.04): One reviewer finds it good for a few hours of co-op play, thinking together and accusing each other of failing puzzles.

Other player notes:
- Short game completion time (weight 0.26): Multiple reviewers note the game is short, with completion times ranging from a few hours to under 10 hours. One reviewer mentions 100% completion within 10 hours.
- Missing Chinese localization (weight 0.18): Several reviewers complain that the game lacks official Chinese language support, with one mentioning the need for a fan patch and another pointing to Bilibili tutorials for localization.
- Unfavorable comparisons to Fireboy and Watergirl (weight 0.18): Multiple reviewers compare the game to Fireboy and Watergirl, generally finding it inferior. Some describe it as a brain-teasing version or reference the Click Jogos Fire and Water game.
- Lore not clearly explained (weight 0.14): The storyline is described as passable, but the lore is not clearly explained, similar to FromSoftware games. The story is a sweet romance where everything is told to you.
- Multiplayer mode options (weight 0.12): The game offers solo mode, local co-op, and online multiplayer. It is sold as a two-copy package and is considered more pleasant with two players.
- Achievements do not require completion (weight 0.11): One reviewer notes you don't have to beat the game to earn all achievements, though another mentions getting all achievements takes nearly 14 hours.
- Puzzle solutions looked up (weight 0.1): One reviewer looked up solutions twice and about 5 answers on YouTube, while another notes the game is not really that difficult.
- Underrated in ratings (weight 0.1): One reviewer feels the game is underrated in its ratings, while another assigns it a score of 4/10 and a third rates it 8 out of 10.
- Development credits and gift (weight 0.09): The game was written by Chris Avellone and released in 2019 by Moondrop, with one reviewer receiving it as a gift from a friend.
- Compared to Trine games (weight 0.08): Reviewers note similarities to the Trine series, with one describing it as a fan fiction version of Trine.
- Low system requirements (weight 0.08): The game requires very low system requirements, jokingly described as running on a pile of potatoes. However, one reviewer notes incompatibility with Xbox Ally X possibly due to AMD SoC.
- Stable internet required online (weight 0.08): The game requires a stable internet connection for online play, and servers were blocked in Russia at the time of writing, requiring a VPN or bypass.
- Unfavorable comparison to better co-op (weight 0.08): The reviewer compares it unfavorably to better-known co-op games and notes Planet of Lana does what this game is trying to achieve much better.
- Story reminiscent of Pixie Hollow (weight 0.07): One reviewer notes the story reminded them of Queen Clarion and Lord Milori from the Pixie Hollow / Tinker Bell stories, featuring characters Ember and Rime.
- Compared to Overcooked with arguments (weight 0.05): One reviewer compares the game to Overcooked but notes it can cause real arguments between players, unlike that game.
- Cost-effective purchase (weight 0.04): The game was bought for a very low price and feels very cost-effective.
- Compared to Forest Fire and Ice (weight 0.04): One reviewer compares the game to Forest Fire/Ice people games, which they say is better and free.
- Mobile game appearance and performance (weight 0.04): One reviewer compares the game to a mobile game in appearance and performance.
- No Japanese localization (weight 0.04): One reviewer notes there is no Japanese localization and the story is not available in Japanese.
- Compared to Pode co-op (weight 0.04): One reviewer compares the game to Pode, describing it as a back-and-forth co-op game.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.27): Players frequently cite clunky and imprecise controls, especially in solo play where managing two characters simultaneously makes puzzles overly difficult. Numerous technical issues like online disconnections, corrupted saves, bugs causing characters to get stuck, and lack of key rebinding compound the annoyance. Puzzle design is often seen as non-intuitive, repetitive, and lacking hints, with some sections requiring precise timing that feels luck-based.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): The game failed to deliver on its promising premise, with many finding the story emotionally shallow and the romance poorly written. Repetitive mechanics, tedious puzzles, and technical glitches further diminished the experience. The high price relative to the fun provided and the short length left players feeling let down.
- Annoyance (weight 0.09): Players are annoyed by overly complicated puzzles that require many attempts, frequent bugs such as disappearing ropes and getting stuck in textures, and technical issues like button-mashing requirements. The narrator's repetitive comments, floaty movement, and poor visibility of interactive objects also contribute. No save slots and forced chapter restarts add to the irritation.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Enjoyment stems from well-designed puzzles that evolve with new mechanics, the cooperative experience of solving with a partner, and the satisfying 'ah-hah' moments. The beautiful ambiance, relaxing music, and cute aesthetic enhance the fun. Regularly changing mechanics keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- Boredom (weight 0.06): Boredom arises from repetitive and monotonous puzzles, slow pacing, and a lack of variety in mechanics. The story is often perceived as overly dramatic and unengaging. Playing solo exacerbates the tedium, with some describing the game as nearly sleep-inducing.
- Fun (weight 0.05): Fun is primarily derived from playing co-op with a partner or friend, solving challenging puzzles together, and sharing the experience. The social interaction and friendly arguments over puzzles add to the enjoyment. Overcoming obstacles as a team creates a sense of shared accomplishment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Satisfaction comes from creative puzzle design that rewards thinking with perspective, especially when mechanics click into place. Solving puzzles in unintended ways and collecting scarves through clever use of abilities provide a strong sense of accomplishment. The game feels cost-effective at a low price and offers a good experience after a slow start.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Players feel confused due to unclear interactable objects against bright backgrounds, puzzles that seem out of order in difficulty, and uncertainty about where to go in the hub world. It is often hard to distinguish scenery from objects with collision. This lack of clarity leads to disorientation and frustration.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is driven by the beautiful art style, cozy music, and well-designed levels that create a strong sense of place. The responsive barrier switching mechanic is also praised. The overall aesthetic and atmospheric qualities are highly valued.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game centers on its cooperative nature, the brain-teasing puzzles, and the engaging story and atmosphere. The concept of a couple working together resonates with players. The combination of story, atmosphere, and puzzles creates a deeply enjoyable experience.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.02): Mild frustration occurs from solo timing puzzles and a rope glitch in World 5 that slowed progress, as well as falling off platform edges early. A scarf pickup glitch due to ping also caused minor setbacks. These issues are bothersome but not game-breaking.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is inspired by the intriguing premise and enjoyable opening level, suggesting the game has promise. Players look forward to future content and improvements. The initial experience leaves a positive impression that the game could evolve into something great.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is triggered by frustrating puzzles and terrain that traps the character, making progression feel unfair. The game's visual quality is also criticized, with some saying it looks and runs like a mobile game. These aspects cheapen the overall experience.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is experienced when finding puzzle solutions and during fun cooperative sessions filled with laughter. The shared moments of discovery and teamwork create happiness. The social aspect of playing together amplifies the positive emotions.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Discomfort is caused by unpleasant controls and puzzles that feel awkward, as well as dizziness from playing. The physical unease detracts from the experience. These issues make the game difficult to enjoy for some players.
- Challenge (weight 0.01): Challenge is felt through difficult controls and a particularly challenging third world. Players struggle with mastering the mechanics and overcoming the difficulty spikes. The game demands precision and coordination, which can be demanding.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger arises from game mechanics that cause frustration and even relationship strain, such as the passive exploding ability trapping players in corners. The inability to progress smoothly leads to outbursts. These moments create intense negative reactions.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from puzzles that initially seem too easy but later require significant time to solve. The game also offers more depth than expected, exceeding initial impressions. This positive deviation from expectations enhances engagement.
- Relaxed (weight 0.01): Relaxation is achieved through clever puzzles and cool mechanics in a couch co-op setting, providing a laid-back gaming experience. The puzzle gameplay is soothing and enjoyable without stress. It offers a comfortable way to unwind with a partner.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Exhaustion results from repeated failed jumps at the snowball obstacle, requiring persistent effort and retries. The repetitive nature of the challenge wears players down. It becomes tiring to overcome the same hurdle repeatedly.}