Quantum Conundrum's strong core shines through, even in spite of some very rough edges.
Cons: Far too much imprecise first person platforming; dipping bird puzzles can be annoying; A lot of humor simply falls flat; Anticlimactic finale; Lack of PC options
I don't envy Kim Swift. Propelled into an early spotlight by the always-impressive Portal, everything she does from that point on will inevitably be compared to the megahit, favorably or unfavorably. This is particularly noticeable in the case of Quantum Conundrum, a game that sees you using an advanced scientific device to solve first person puzzles in a series of increasingly challenging rooms. Okay, to be fair, even if Kim Swift was uninvolved, the comparisons would be inevitable, but in any case, her involvement doesn't help AVOID those comparisons.
Quantum Conundrum sees you playing as the nephew of experimental scientist and egomaniac, Dr Fitz Quadwrangle. You're dropped off at his manor to find that he's disappeared somewhere. He alerts you over the intercom that he's displaced himself and that you will have to save him. Thus, you must strap on the IDS (InterDimensional Shift) Device (a glove), and use the powers of multiple dimensions to venture deep into Quadwrangle manor and save your uncle.
Much like Portal, the core idea behind Quantum Conundrum is pure cool. The IDS device lets you switch between four different dimensions at will-assuming you have plugged in a battery for each dimension. One dimension makes everything fluffy and light, while another turns everything heavy and metal, and the last two only get even cooler. The puzzles revolve around using these different properties in rapid alteration. The learning curve here is silky smooth-no doubt, where Kim Swift's Portal experience pays off most. New mechanics are doled out regularly and built upon effectively so that you constantly learn bit by bit and feel smart. By the end of the game the puzzles get quite complex, but you'd never know it because the learning curve is handled so well.
Nonetheless, in a lot of ways, I imagine Quantum Conundrum is a lot like early, pre-alpha versions of Portal. The core is very strong, but much of the content simply doesn't fit, or isn't quite polished up to snuff. This is most notable with all the first-person platforming involved. First-person platforming is often a challenge, without a clear vision of where you're jumping. However, with titles like Metroid Prime and Mirror's Edge, there's no excuse for the loose, imprecise jumping that occurs so often in Quantum Conundrum. It's awkward, frustrating, and sadly composes a huge portion of the game, second only to the actual puzzles themselves.
I'm also not a fan of the dipping bird, Desmond. He presses buttons at various intervals, and you have to time your actions around him. The idea is that you get to see the dimensions in action before you actually can use them yourself, as part of the learning process. The dipping bird simply allows things to be turned on an off periodically, as the puzzles require. Unfortunately the timing is off, requiring you to wait too long for too short of a window of opportunity, and these sections just irritate more than anything.
The writing could also use a bit of editing. Quantum Conundrum goes for a very zany style of humor, what with Quadwrangle's strange remarks, the colorful paintings, and whatever Ike (a fluffy, koala-like creature) is. It's about 50/50 hit and miss, though, with some lines just feeling forced. This isn't to say that Quantum Conundrum isn't funny-I cracked up looking at "metal" versions of paintings (which change with dimensions) and the "Things you will never experience" death screens. Much like the un-fun sections of the game, however, there could have been more discretion with editing.
No doubt, Quantum Conundrum could have been something really awesome with more refined testing (and cutting some content), though what is there is still pretty great (up until the disappointing finale anyway). Sure you have to survive obnoxious platforming and dipping birds, as well as bland humor, but the game still hits where it counts. Not a must-play for puzzle game fans, but certainly an easy recommendation.