A cosy puzzle game developed by Max Inferno and published by Secret Mode, A Little to the Left tasks you with the sorting and organising of a wide range of random items, each level rewarding you a star upon completion. Some problems have more than the one solution, and this is the premise behind the Seeing Stars DLC; the majority of levels have various possible arrangements linked to one of many stars. Having thoroughly enjoyed my time with A Little to the Left (which you can read my full review of here), I was enticed by Seeing Stars.
A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars DLC is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Steam and Nintendo Switch.
New Levels – Seeing Stars
A Little to the Left and its earlier DLC Cupboards and Drawers are pure puzzlers with no narrative to follow, except perhaps the welcome interruptions from our feline companion. Keeping in theme with its counterparts, Seeing Stars focuses on creating a relaxing atmosphere as you fiddle with virtual clutter, though the new items which appear may evoke nostalgic anecdotes from the player, the Tamagotchi inspired level in particular unlocking core memories. On the subject of unlocking, the Seeing Stars DLC has a handful of levels locked behind stars, encouraging me to persist with the multiple solutions on earlier levels to access the hidden content.
A handful of levels are unlocked after collecting a specific amount of stars.
Gameplay – A Little More Interactive
The simple point-and-click style controls are still in place, holding X to drag miscellaneous items around the screen with L3 to be stacked or slotted into place. Although the controls remain the same, there are a few new concepts introduced to puzzle logic. Still relying on finding similarities in items and paying attention to background details, creativity in puzzle design has expanded, although some answers feel slightly obtuse. The hint system does little to help with this too, the novel eraser mechanic only offering advice on one answer.
Developers Max Inferno seem to have made interactivity a priority in the Seeing Stars DLC. Dropping balls to check bounciness and smashing vases to use the discard pieces are just a few new ways you can engage, adding to the inherent charm of A Little to the Left. With the exception of the occasional one-star breather, the majority of levels in Seeing Stars have four or five ways to be solved, the newfound interactivity of items playing a key part in looking at things with a new perspective. The multiple solutions require some thought, adding a little more difficulty to the laid-back puzzle solving.
The Seeing Stars DLC introduces new ways to interact with objects.
Audio and Graphics – Cosy Aesthetic
The everyday objects of A Little to the Left are recreated in a simplistic art style. Hand-drawn illustrations are filled with pastel shades, intricate details often hide clues essential to progression and there are flourishes of artistic license to the otherwise ordinary trinkets. A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars DLC also works more animations into the mix, turning even an average protractor whimsical. As you ponder your way to completion, the DLC is accompanied with a new soundtrack, the mellow piano music soothing you as you try to find one last way to organise your Tupperware.
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- Interactivity seems to be the priority in the Seeing Stars DLC.
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- The intricate hand-drawn illustrations return, exploring new types of objects.
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- The majority of levels have multiple solutions to discover.
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- Our mischievous feline companion returns.
A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars DLC was reviewed on PS5 with a key provided by Secret Mode.
