Here’s a creepy and good fun horror puzzle platformer. There are so many games coming out these days it’s possible for something like this to launch and totally slip you by for years.

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is available on PC and all consoles.

It arrived in October 2021 and is by Parisian indie team Monochrome. The studio also works on immersive experiences and 3D designs, making it an experimental and intriguing multi-talented dev. Let’s explore its very first game, then!

Puzzles, Platforming, and HORROR in Tandem: A Tale of Shadows

This one reminds us a bit of the Little Nightmares II formula, although minus the more genuinely disturbing nature of that game.

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is puzzle platforming, but with a slight twist in its overhead 3D take on things. Although that does give way to some 2D elements and other unique gameplay moments (mainly in the form of sidescroller bits).

Plot wise, it’s set in the 19th century.

The son of a famous illusion couple has disappeared. A young girl called Emma, fascinated by the disappearance, heads out to investigate what’s going on.

That’s where you come in. After Emma finds a sentient teddy bear called Fenton (“FEEENTOOON!!!“), who takes you to a Victorian era mansion. Into this doth you go to explore things up a notch. Like this!

Your goal is to explore the trap-laden mansion, which is all rather tinged towards the steampunk visual style.

There are trap doors, too, and various other unique puzzles to solve.

But it does take the form of traditional levels, rather than like a Luigi’s Mansion 3 type exploration fest of a spooky building. In fact, there are some 40 levels to traverse across.

The special abilities of Emma and Fenton come in handy there as you can use them to solve the mysteries of each area.

There’s enough variation amongst all of that to avoid it becoming formulaic. In fact, some of the puzzles are pretty blood exquisite! Have a look at this one.

Press reviews in late 2021 were pretty good, with a bunch of reviews lingering around the 3.5/5 sort of mark. However, Screenrant gave it 9/10 and praised it as excellent and creepy.

The lack of story was criticised (something that never bothers us), although Tandem is a short experience as well. The game is less than a tenner, for which you get about five hours of action.

We certainly think there’s plenty to love in Tandem: A Tale of Shadows.

The visual style is bright and intriguing, giving way to black and white sidescoller moments amongst other flourishes. The soundtrack complements that in somewhat predictable haunted house fashion, but does have some noteworthy moments, too.

It’s quite a unique take on puzzle platformers, even if the cutesy horror element has been done better elsewhere. What stands it out is the clever puzzles and the interesting overhead perspective.

Good fun then, we enjoyed it, but don’t consider it a must own or anything. We picked it up for free on Epic Games and are glad we played the spooky majigger. It’s fun!