Does Not Commute Explained

Does Not Commute should not be confused with Does not compute.

Developer:Mediocre
Publisher:Mediocre
Released:April 23, 2015
Platforms:Android, iOS
Composer:Douglas Holmquist
Modes:Single-player
Genre:Puzzle, strategy
Artist:Henrik Johansson
Designer:Henrik Johansson
Programmer:Dennis Gustafsson

Does Not Commute is a 2015 puzzle and strategy game developed and published by the Swedish studio Mediocre. In the game, the player has to move vehicles to a certain point on a level while avoiding other vehicles from their previous attempts. It was released for Android and iOS devices on April 23, 2015. Received positively for its gameplay, the game won the 2015 edition of the Apple Design Awards.

Gameplay

Set in a 1970s suburb, Does Not Commute is a puzzle and strategy game where the player starts with controlling a vehicle to a certain point on a level within a set amount of time.[1] Once completed, time will reset, and the player will have to control a new vehicle that is added to the level.[2] [3] Previous vehicles will repeat their route the player has set.[4] [5] Marked collectibles can be picked up to increase time;[6] the player may also use a rewind feature to undo their previous moves, but it will cost them one second.[7] They may use shortcuts to avoid other vehicles,[8] and an in-app purchase unlocks checkpoints. A practice mode is available.

Development and release

Does Not Commute was developed by Mediocre, a Swedish indie studio composed of Dennis Gustafsson and Henrik Johansson. They had previously created games such as Smash Hit.

Does Not Commute's soundtrack was composed by Douglas Holmquist. The time period the game was set in was decided early in development; initially, Holmquist opted for a "loungey" soundtrack involving the flute, vibraphone, and light percussion. The first version of the game's soundtrack was inspired by music from the movie Sideways and musicians such as Yusef Lateef, Cal Tjader, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. However, since the concept of the game became more "action-based", the soundtrack was considered "too soft", so "Sorta Blue" by Henry Mancini, was used for inspiration. The soundtrack for a level titled Beach was conceptualized after a bike ride with the game's co-developers Dennis Gustafsson and Henrik Johansson, and a band was scheduled for a four-day session.[9] Showcased at GDC 2015, Does Not Commute was released on Android and iOS for free on April 23, 2015.[10] [11] [12]

Reception

On Metacritic, Does Not Commute received a "generally favorable" score of 87 based on eight critics.[13] The game won the 2015 Apple Design Awards at the Worldwide Developers Conference[14] [15] [16] and has been ranked among TouchArcade's and The Guardian's lists of best apps.[17] [18] [19]

Several reviewers praised the gameplay. Most found the game and its dialogue entertaining,[20] [21] while others stated it was challenging or frustrating.[22] [23] Carter Dotson of TouchArcade approved how the game's in-app purchase offered players an opportunity for help,[24] while Gamezebo's Nadia Oxford found that players were effectively forced to plan their decisions.[25] Critics also found the game's minimalist graphics appealing.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Priestman . Chris . April 24, 2015 . Does Not Commute lets you peek at the divergent obsessions of a 1970s suburb . October 23, 2024 . Kill Screen.
  2. Web site: May 7, 2015 . Peer into the mysteries and secrets of a 1970s suburb . October 23, 2024 . Kill Screen.
  3. Web site: Priestman . Chris . May 10, 2015 . Does Not Commute Tells Its Story So Long As You Don't Crash Into Yourself . October 24, 2024 . Siliconera.
  4. Web site: Nelson . Jared . March 6, 2015 . GDC 2015: Does Not Commute Isn't Just a Clever Name, It's Also Hilariously Fun . October 23, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  5. Web site: Nelson . Jared . March 10, 2015 . Best of GDC 2015: Crashlands, Does Not Commute, Sorcery! 3 and "Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon . October 23, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  6. Web site: Boatman . Brandon . November 2, 2015 . Casual Corner: Does Not Commute . October 24, 2024 . Hardcore Gamer.
  7. Web site: Oxford . Nadia . May 1, 2015 . Does Not Commute: Tips, cheats, and strategies . October 23, 2024 . Gamezebo.
  8. Web site: Brown . Mark . March 5, 2015 . GDC 2015: Hands-on with Does Not Commute - Mediocre's barmy morning traffic sim . October 22, 2024 . Pocket Gamer.
  9. Web site: Holmquist . Douglas . April 29, 2015 . Commuter Chaos, Musical Mindfullness - Writing the music for Does not Commute . October 24, 2024 . Game Developer.
  10. Web site: Dotson . Carter . April 20, 2015 . Mediocre's Does Not Commute Crashes into the App Store This Week . October 22, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  11. Web site: Nelson . Jared . April 22, 2015 . Out Now: Does Not Commute, Sorcery! 3, Battle Odyssey, Dungeon Link, Demon Hunter: Chronicles from Beyond, Pinball Sniper and More . October 22, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  12. Web site: Brown . Mark . April 24, 2015 . Does not Commute brings traffic chaos and sick puns to Android . October 22, 2024 . Pocket Gamer.
  13. Web site: Does not Commute . October 22, 2024 . Metacritic.
  14. Web site: Sarkar . Samit . June 9, 2015 . Apple Design Awards 2015 honor seven games, including Crossy Road and Vainglory . October 22, 2024 . Polygon.
  15. Web site: Dotson . Carter . June 9, 2015 . Crossy Road, Vainglory, and More Win Apple Design Awards at WWDC . October 22, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  16. Web site: Cameron . Phill . June 8, 2015 . Winners of the Apple Design Awards 2015 announced . October 24, 2024 . Game Developer.
  17. Web site: Dredge . Stuart . May 1, 2015 . 20 best apps for May . October 24, 2024 . The Guardian.
  18. Web site: Dredge . Stuart . February 7, 2016 . Fifty apps that are reinventing mobile gaming . October 24, 2024 . The Guardian.
  19. Web site: Nelson . Jared . December 23, 2015 . TouchArcade Game of the Year Land Sliders and the best iOS Games of 2015 . October 23, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  20. Web site: Rich . Rob . April 23, 2015 . Does Not Commute Review . October 22, 2024 . 148Apps.
  21. Web site: Nelson . Jared . April 24, 2015 . TouchArcade Game of the Week: Does Not Commute . October 23, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  22. Web site: Slater . Harry . April 24, 2015 . Does not Commute . October 22, 2024 . Pocket Gamer.
  23. Web site: Pugliese . Tommaso . May 2, 2015 . Paradossi portatili . Portable paradoxes . October 22, 2024 . Multiplayer.it . it.
  24. Web site: Dotson . Carter . April 29, 2015 . Does Not Commute Review – A Sweet Ride . October 22, 2024 . TouchArcade.
  25. Web site: Oxford . Nadia . April 30, 2015 . Does Not Commute review: Highway star . October 22, 2024 . Gamezebo.
  26. Web site: Gonzalez . Alberto . June 2, 2015 . Does not Commute . October 22, 2024 . Vandal . es.

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