Line #23 VideoGame/BoxBoy


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/4wkkoupft8lsgtexampzwmt1pzvofdcb.jpg]]
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3	''[=BoxBoy!=]'' is a series of of PuzzlePlatformer games created by Creator/HALLaboratory.
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5	The games follow Qbby, a square-shaped alien being with the power to create boxes out of his body, and his friends on a myriad of quests to save his planet and the universe as a whole from a mysterious black mist. Games in the series include:
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7	* The UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS trilogy
8	** ''[=BoxBoy!=]'' (2015)
9	** ''[=BoxBoxBoy!=]''[[note]]''[=BoxBoy!=]: One More Box'' in Japan[[/note]] (2016)
10	** ''Bye-Bye [=BoxBoy!=]''[[note]]''Goodbye, [=BoxBoy!=]'' in Japan[[/note]] (2017)
11	* The UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch games
12	** ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'' (2019)
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14	----
15	!! This game contains the following tropes:
16	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: In ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'', the shop sells power-ups that increase your box limit and other such bonuses, which you can use to help beat levels you're stuck on.
17	* BagOfSpilling: Aside from the basic box-producing ability, Qbby's powers tend to not carry over between games, with Qbby regaining them and other new abilities as you progress. Some skills are never relearned, such as the ability to create multiple sets of boxes only being in the last few stages of ''[=BoxBoy!=]'' as well as the entirety of ''[=BoxBoxBoy!=]''.
18	* BittersweetEnding: "A Tale for Two" in ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'' has [[spoiler:Qbby and Qucy sacrifice themselves to ensure Qbaby can escape safely, giving her Qucy's bow as a memento]].
19	* BrutalBonusLevel: It's common for a mode of ExtendedGameplay to open up worlds that are harder than the main game. Alternatively, you can buy challenge stages that usually involve a timed challenge.
20	* CosmeticAward: Currency can be used to buy clothing in all four games, most of which has no effect on gameplay. However, a set of three lategame outfits in ''[=BoxBoy!=]'', as well as the Qucy costume in ''[=Bye-Bye BoxBoy!=]'', actually do have impacts on gameplay and can break puzzles slightly.
21	* CompanyCrossReferences: As HAL Laboratory also developed the ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'' series, there are a few to be found:
22	** One challenge in ''[=BoxBoy!=]'' has the score objects in the shape of Kirby.
23	** In ''VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot'', Qbby appears as a rare sticker.
24	** In ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies'', one of Stone Kirby's transformations is a model of HAL Laboratories' Yamanashi R&D Center, with Qbby sitting on the roof.
25	** A few of the purchasable comics throughout the series feature Kirby (only seen from the back).
26	** Outside of Kirby, Qbby can also be found in the scenery of every level in the HAL-developed ''VideoGame/PartTimeUFO''. You can also get a costume modeled after him.
27	* CoOpMultiplayer: ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'' has "A Tale for Two", an alternate storyline which can be played cooperatively with another player or on your own via swapping between Qbby and Qucy.
28	* DeliberatelyMonochrome: Most of the game's world is black and white, with occasional colors now and then. Slowly averted in ''[=Bye-Bye BoxBoy!=]'', which uses gradients from white to other colors, and fully averted in ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'', where the backgrounds are colorful but in a geometric style.
29	* DisneyDeath: [[spoiler:''Bye-Bye [=BoxBoy!=]'' ends with Qbby and his friends seemingly sacrificing their lives to save the universe. If you wait long enough on the "The End" card, you'll see Qbby slowly open his eyes.]]
30	* DownerEnding: The "A Tale for One" ending of ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'' ends with [[spoiler:the planet being destroyed due to the final machine requiring two box beings to be activated, though the final shot reveals [[BookEnds another box falling from the sky in an all-too familiar fashion next to the blackened Qbby]]]].
31	* EscortMission: ''[=Bye-Bye BoxBoy!=]'' features the Qbabies, who follow Qbby and must be taken to the goal to complete the level. If Qbaby dies, Qbby does too. Qbabies are actually quite smart, as they won't walk into danger and can jump over gaps and on Qbby's boxes. They can also trigger switches and collect crowns.
32	* {{Expy}}: The black mist functions similarly to Dark Matter from the ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' series. It destroys anything it comes in contact with, and the third game reveals [[spoiler:there's a whole planet of it, which repels Qbby's attempted landing at first]].
33	* ExtendedGameplay: The series, barring ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'', will usually open up some bonus worlds that are harder than the main game once the final normal world is beaten.
34	* GameplayGrading: Each world (and in games besides the first, each individual stage) is graded on completion time, boxes used, and replays used, with grades ranging from D to S. After clearing all stages, the player is given an EndGameResultsScreen with overall ranks in these categories for the whole game. It's possible to improve the rank by replaying the stages.
35	* GoldenEnding: [[spoiler:The ending to "A Tall Tale" is this to the other two campaigns in ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'', in which Qudy stops the black mist and saves Qbby and Qucy.]]
36	** [[spoiler:After beating all three of ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'''s campaigns and equipping all four fragments, the DownerEnding from "A Tale for One" is replaced with a Golden Ending -- the fragments form a second character, allowing the machine to activate and restore the planet to health.]]
37	* HeroicSacrifice: The first game ends with Qbby and Qucy becoming part of the ground in order to fuel a machine to save their planet, with a new Qbby being born later.
38	** The third game has all [[spoiler:four]] Qbabies do this at the end of their missions, and [[spoiler:Qbby, Qucy, and Qudy do likewise at the end of the story]].
39	** The fourth game shows [[spoiler:Qucy and Qbby do this at the end of both "A Tale for One" and "A Tale For Two", though Qbby's attempt in the former goes poorly. The GoldenEnding at the end of Qudy's story shows Qudy doing likewise, being seemingly rendered lifeless in his last-ditch effort to stop the black mist.]]
40	* HintSystem:
41	** In the 3DS games, if you're stuck on a puzzle, you can pay a Play Coin (built into the 3DS, you get these for walking in real life) for the game to temporarily flash where Qbby and the boxes are supposed to be. If you've already paid for the hint, you can view it as many times as you want until you either pass the point or quit.
42	** In ''[=BoxBoy!=] + [=BoxGirl!=]'', the hint system is activated by spending medals.
43	* IdleAnimation: Qbby and his friends will either dance or fall asleep to the music if left idle for long enough.
44	* MindScrew: The games' narrative can be confusing to parse, as there is no dialogue to explain... well, anything really. Which makes moments such as that in the second game, where Qbby sees his past self on another planet and wakes him up, to be even more confusing.
45	* MindScrewdriver: The descriptions of the music in the options menu explain some of the story.
46	* OhCrap: Most of the Kirby crossover comics end with Qbby spinning around to see Kirby behind him and having this reaction (such as trying on Hammer Kirby's bandana and Hammer, Qbby: "Oh! Um... Hi?") and another one which has Qbby trying to "befriend" Kirby by throwing some Qbby's boxes at the pink puffball. Needless to say, all that happens is Kirby getting two lumps on his head and not being very happy at a worried Qbby...
47	* OldSaveBonus: Having ''[=BoxBoy!=]'' and[=/=]or ''[=BoxBoxBoy!=]'' on your 3DS system will unlock the Qucy costume and UsefulNotes/GameBoy color palette option in ''Bye-Bye [=BoxBoy!=]'', which are otherwise unlocked through HundredPercentCompletion. The latter two 3DS games also allow you to use costumes you've obtained in the previous games.
48	* ProductionForeshadowing: The final two worlds of ''[=BoxBoy!=]'' give Qbby two sets of boxes. This would later be the main feature in the next game, ''[=BoxBoxBoy!=]''
49	* PromotedToPlayable: ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'' allows Qucy and Qudy to be playable for the first time (unless you count the Qucy costume from ''Bye-Bye [=BoxBoy!=]'').
50	* ScareChord: Technically not a chord, but the 3DS menu jingle for ''Bye-Bye [=BoxBoy!=]'' is a low, ominous-sounding piano note.
51	* SerialEscalation: The second game lets Qbby use two sets of boxes, while the third gives him special boxes with specific powers.
52	* SilenceIsGolden: Outside of the unlockable comics, all four games are completely devoid of dialogue.
53	%% SpinoffBabies: The third game introduces Qbaby, mini-Qbbys that come in different colors.
54	* SuperEmpowering: Qbby's friends and Qbabies do this to grant him new abilities.
55	* TertiarySexualCharacteristics: Qucy has eyelashes and a bow, and her walking animation is different.
56	* TrilogyCreep: The first three games were billed as a trilogy for the Nintendo 3DS, with a vaguely defined narrative surrounding Qbby and his friends fighting against an ominous black mist to save the universe. Then the fourth game was announced two years later, as the beginning of a second trilogy wherein the black mist planet returns.
57	* UnlockableContent: Beating a stage gives you money that you can use to buy [[AndYourRewardIsClothes new costumes]], music, comics, and [[BrutalBonusLevel challenge stages]].
58	* VirtualPaperDoll: The series allows Qbby to purchase outfits, all of which are purely cosmetic. ''[=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!=]'' has four different slots: head, eyes, mouth, and other, allowing you to mix and match clothing combinations. Items bought work on all three playable characters.

Context VideoGame / BoxBoy