Fireboy and Watergirl: How the mechanics of the puzzle influence the experience of the game
Fireboy and Watergirl is a co-op game for two players on the same device, where the two players each take on the role of either the fireboy or the watergirl. They must collaborate through a digital obstacle course, where fireboy can walk through fire but needs to jump over water, and vice-versa for watergirl. They need to use their complementary abilities to collectively reach the end of the maze. The co-op format of the game, as opposed to single-player, definitely ups the ante as it enables players to form friendships through a bonding experience, as well as introducing opportunities for playful jokes and taunts when our friend loses. The co-op format also makes the game competitive in addition to cooperative, and each player faces the pressure of performing well from their opponent which leads to more investment in the game. The first maze is pretty simple to navigate, whetting a player’s curiosity and giving a big reward after low effort. The next maze was definitely a step up, especially one step where there is an imbalanced beam and we need coordinated jumping on both the players’ parts to balance on the beam together, one on its left and one on its right. It really checks your reflexes!! Which in turn requires undivided attention. But the fact that you have unlimited time to solve every level means that you can choose/ switch between focussing on the game and everyday conversation, which allows the game to as low- or high-pressure as you want it to be.
