Genre: Construction / Mini-game Collection / Educational
Players: 1-2*
Playtime: 12 hours (Includes constructing the five main kits, playing each of the various games, discovering what makes each kit tick, experimenting with a few of the extra components / features, and sharing the wonders of cardboard to friends and family)
Playing an assortment of games through means of crafted pieces of cardboard and a couple of joy-cons has got to be one of Nintendo's most outside-the-box ideas in quite some time (pun intended). But this unusual idea ends up being a wholly unique and refreshing experience that truly shines thanks to the versatile nature of the Switch. This review specifically takes a look at Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: The Variety Kit, which includes the likes of an RC car, fishing rod, house, motor bike, and piano, along with a few other add-ons for each (but you can infer some of the thoughts in this review to Labo in general). From making the cardboard creations, diving into each of the games, and discovering how all these constructions actually function, there's more to be found here than might meet the eye. How much longevity and depth do these kits in actuality provide though? Let's crease the folds of these cutouts and reconstruct the positive and negative pieces of cardboard curiosity that is Labo.
Creativity / Hands-On Gameplay
As alluded to above in the foreword of this review, Labo is a product of such sheer unusual and creative display. The ability to create and then immediately put your creations into action brings forth an added sense of fulfilling awe and genuine interest to fully understand the inner workings of the craft you just made. Like how does the physical fishing line track its movement onto the Switch screen? Or how does a joy-con manage to create such a spectrum of sound through only means of vibration? The creative ideas shown off in this game are sure to ignite the imaginations of many a player, and for those so inclined and willing to dig deep, some truly creative works can be made through the more program-oriented sections of the game's garage mode.
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| Constructing in Labo is made easy and fun thanks to their animated instruction videos coupled with witty scripts. |
Another distinct aspect that makes Labo stand apart from other games is the unique hands-on gameplay that the experience offers. If you're a fan of Legos or the zen-like experience that comes from constructing physical arts and crafts, this is a game that can deliver hours of joy in this aspect alone. The instruction videos that accompany these builds are also full of style and fun personality, with groovy tunes that speed up and slow down as you manipulate the speed of the instructions, and humorous dialogue that help alleviate some of the tedium of repetitive steps. And once constructed, having the Switch screen actually inserted into the creations and playing at such close proximity with your new peripherals really does induce an engrossing, and more personal experience.
Variety of Content
Being called the Variety Kit, it should come as no surprise that this particular Labo kit benefits from a great variety of content to enjoy. As a game that encourages a sense of discovery and wonder, having a wealth of ideas to dive into makes this kit an ideal way to get the Labo experience. But aside from all these neat different types of crafts to be found, it should also be noted that this game offers a variety of content in the variety of ways in which players interact with the game. From making to playing to learning the inner workings, Labo offers great means to play while engaging your mind in so many different ways.
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| The five main kits of the Variety Kit - RC car, fishing, house, motor bike, and piano. |
Clever Writing
Whether it be during the snazzy instruction videos in which you build your cardboard crafts or the fun dives into discovering how each creation functions, this game is full of fun and clever writing. In the discovery section in particular, the game features three fictional designers who engage in amusing banter with the player and each other. There is even a surprising amount of delightful backstory to be found as these characters talk about their industrious pasts and look towards the future for inspiring new creations to be made. It's a genuinely charming way in which to have players craft, learn, and creatively think beyond just what was made.
Shareable Experience
If you have an extra set of hands, building the kits in Labo is just as much enjoyed in a group setting as it is solo, especially for those repetitive steps in which one person can take charge allowing for others to move ahead in the instructions. Aside from this benefit though, the magic of crafting and seeing these cardboard creations perform such wild feats is an experience that is sure to peak the interest of many and all the more enjoyable to share for that wonder and awe.
Great Packaging
Another small, but impressive detail worth noting is the impressive packaging in which this game's cardboard sheets are presented. It's quite amazing in of itself that they managed to contain these elaborate crafts across just a few sheets of cardboard per kit, but it's even more impressive just how elegantly they managed to do so. Not an inch of negative space is wasted as each kit's sheet has such playful patterns and other touches pertaining to that particular kit's theme. It's that little extra touch that you can't help but get a happy grin on your face.
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| Such stylish packaged sheets, the house kit featuring brick patterns and various shrubbery decals. |
Time / Effort
One of the biggest hurdles for Labo is setting aside a lengthy, dedicated time slot in which to build and/or play the game, as some of the kits can take hours in which to build. While the game does segment the builds into sections in which players could theoretically take breaks, it's hard to step away mid-build, especially when you've got cardboard pieces scattered about. Likewise, once finished building, you're inevitably going to want to see the fruits of your labor and play with the device, even if you've just spent a considerable amount of time building. So it's certainly an aspect of Labo to be mindful of, as this is not an ideal gaming experience for quick plays.
Another hurdle that prevents this game from being easier to just pick up and play is the extra effort that comes from assembling the kits for play, to which I'm referring to even after they're built. Players need to move the joy-cons into the correct slots of the desired kit to assemble and play, and if players should desire to play a different kit or just return to their Switch to its normal state, you can expect to put this effort more than once removing the joy-cons again. It's just enough to dissuade play unless you have a strong motivation for some Labo.
Storage
With Labo comes some really neat cardboard creations and the dawning realization of where to store these bulky contraptions. Make sure to consider such and take care to store them carefully less you are to end up with a pile of literal cardboard.
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| Take heed to have a proper place and means to store your Labo crafts before you create them. |
Longevity / Depth
While there is a great variety of content to be found in this Labo package, players' mileage with each item found in this kit may vary. I was personally fond of the fishing and house, but found the RC car and motorbike a bit underwhelming, lacking interesting depth to keep playing (piano was okay). Some players may enjoy playing through each of these games just once, while others may go much deeper down the rabbit hole and really dive into the extra bits of construction and tinkering to be found. It all depends how much it gets your creative juices flowing and how much effort you are willing to put into the game. Just be aware that this could end up being a 10-hour total experience, which for a $70 package when not on sale is a little bit on the pricey side.
If you're looking for a unique and wholly different experience, Labo delivers in spades. With a generous variety of content, both in the types of kits and how players interact in the game, Labo delivers an intimate experience of creative thinking and play. While the depth of the games themselves may not all strike home with every player, there's enough of a wealth of content and originality to make this a enriching experiment worth participating in.
If you have any questions or thoughts about this game, please feel free to comment and discuss below. Thanks. And happy gaming!
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