SOLAS 128, the critically-acclaimed synthwave reflect-em-up puzzle game from Amicable Animbal, has received a significant accessibility update for both the PC and Nintendo Switch, to coincide with Global Accessibility Awareness Day (#GAAD).
The update improves the game for players with visual impairment, colour-blindness, and physical disabilities.
To help visually-impaired players, SOLAS 128…
Settings for the bloom/glow effect (original, low, off)
Settings for colour distortion/chromic aberration (original, low, off)
Option for the VHS-style video distortion effects (on, off)
Settings to simplify the game’s surrounding border pattern (original, static, solid colour)
Option for the ‘flashing’ effect in the surrounding pattern (on, off)
Input Options (for motor accessibility)
New input type – original input is click & drag, new option removes requirement to hold down a button while dragging. One click to pick up, a second to put down
New optional precision input method – directional keys (d-pad on Switch) will move the cursor locked to the game’s tile grid, rather than as a smooth input.
Can either be depressed once per tile, or held down as desired
Analogue/mouse and precision input can be swapped between freely and used at the same time
New selection method – Next/Previous piece option helps players with visual processing issues or motor issues find and select important pieces.
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SOLAS 128 is available on the eShop for $14.99 USD!
Solas 128 is an intricate sprawling mass of puzzles, slowly building in intricacy from managing a single beam to untangling multiple colors and filters with only a handful of reflectors. The initial “guide the beam to the exit” eventually changes to “guide the color to the place to activate the trigger to get to the area while keeping an eye on three possible exits, all of which will be used eventually but in what order?” Meanwhile the neon-vector art style keeps the screen looking great even as the minutes tick by, and while the repetition of the soundtrack doesn’t fare so well in the long run, the steady beat of the synthwave music keeps the brain flowing along in a puzzley trance.