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About Talent Not Included
Talent Not Included dropped from Frima Studio on August 30, 2016 for PC, Xbox One and Mac. This indie title puts you in the shoes of three actors stranded in the fantasy land called Notthatmuchfurther. They need to deliver a legendary performance no matter what obstacles block their path. You will face mechanical soldiers, stubborn animals, hardheaded monsters, and even rotating cylinders that try to crush your characters. The game supports single player sessions or co-op multiplayer where friends team up for chaos. It launched as a quirky platformer that leans heavily on slapstick humor and physical comedy to tell its story of actors trying to survive a production gone wrong.
Gameplay
You control three distinct characters who must navigate levels filled with physics-based hazards. The core loop involves running, jumping, and using each character's specific ability to clear obstacles or solve simple puzzles. You might switch between actors mid-level to handle different enemies or use one to distract a monster while another escapes a spinning cylinder trap. Co-op mode splits the screen so two players can coordinate their movements in real time. Controls feel responsive with tight jumping mechanics that require precise timing. Levels often end with a boss fight against a giant mechanical construct or a massive beast. You have to manage character health carefully since getting hit by monsters or falling into pits slows your progress significantly.
What Players Think
Metacritic gave the game a solid 73 out of 100, reflecting its fun but flawed execution. PlayPile user data shows an average playtime of about six hours for the main campaign. Completion rates hover near 65 percent, suggesting many players find the difficulty spikes too steep to finish. Community moods often describe the game as chaotic and funny, with users noting the co-op sessions create memorable moments of failure. Critics praised the art style and sound design while calling out repetitive level design as a major downside. One common review snippet mentions that the physics engine can be frustratingly unpredictable during intense fights. Despite these issues, the multiplayer mode keeps retention higher than expected for an indie platformer released in 2016.
PlayPile's Take
Talent Not Included works best when you play with a friend on couch co-op. The single player experience feels incomplete due to repetitive mechanics and occasional control glitches. At its current price point, it offers decent value if you enjoy slapstick humor over challenging platforming. There are twelve achievements to unlock, though some require reaching specific points in difficult levels. This is not a game for people seeking deep narrative or tight controls. You should buy this only if you want a short, silly diversion with local multiplayer support. Avoid it if you prefer polished modern platformers with fair difficulty curves.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB Rating
83.0
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