Dumb Ways to Build Review

Now, let’s get down to business!

You’re supplied with a reliable nail gun that honestly feels like magic. It’s almost a one-and-done situation, allowing you to attach the most precarious objects imaginable. We’re talking about a fridge attached to a traffic cone or a box nailed to an explosive barrel. The possibilities are ridiculous, and some of these creations look like they’re just waiting to become the next Dumb Way to Die.

Of course, the environment is also actively trying to get rid of you, which is where teamwork comes into play.

Your job could involve anything from climbing a dangerously unsafe building to returning a missing letter to a gigantic sign spelling out “HOTEL”. And when I say gigantic, I mean something even the Hulk would struggle to lift. Now imagine trying to coordinate your team while constructing something that looks as though it was specifically designed to make insurance companies question their entire existence.

So, here’s the question we’ve all been asking ourselves. What happens if, entirely by “accident”, we slip, fall or get knocked unconscious by a friend attempting to recreate the famous couch scene from Friends? PIVOT!

Well, that’s where things get even funnier.

Ever seen a friend hanging upside down from a balloon, screaming, “Hey, you guys, I died!”? No? Well, my little jellybeans, fear not, for I shall teach you how to resurrect your dearly departed friends.

You can pop their balloon, but you’d better hope they don’t take a tumble all the way down to the bottom of the level. Otherwise, you’re going to have to find another way to revive them.

Sounds rather annoying, doesn’t it?

Well, here’s some good news. Have you noticed those blue portable toilets with what look like keys on them? These are one of the easiest ways to bring back your fallen teammates. Simply use one to revive your friends and get them straight back to work. Although, if you’re the last one standing, you might have to rely on your own questionable construction skills to finish the job.

There’s no rest for the wicked!

Now that you know how to build, attach objects and hopefully keep your friends alive, did you know there are also secrets and useful items scattered throughout the levels?

You’ll occasionally come across flashing blue boxes that can be opened to reveal random equipment, including a sledgehammer. Just be careful where you’re swinging that thing, as it’s useful for breaking through tougher materials or removing objects you’ve previously nailed into place.

You can also discover food and even piranhas. Yes, piranhas. I’ll leave you to figure out what happens with those!

Other equipment includes grappling hooks, allowing you to ascend to higher locations or abseil down from dangerous heights. So, if you’ve ever fancied yourself as Batman, here’s your opportunity. Although I imagine the Dark Knight would have a few concerns about the health and safety regulations on these construction sites.

Now, despite its colourful appearance and ridiculous humour, Dumb Ways to Build isn’t particularly easy. Some of the challenges require considerable patience, coordination and a willingness to accept that your beautifully constructed masterpiece might collapse at any moment.

You can play alone, and the developers have included a useful mechanic that allows solo players to temporarily freeze objects in place for a few seconds. This gives you enough time to position materials and secure them without needing somebody else to hold everything steady. Essentially, you’re a foolish one-man construction crew, desperately trying to convince yourself that everything is under control.

However, in my personal opinion, online co-op is absolutely the way to experience this game.

There’s something incredibly entertaining about watching your friends come up with increasingly questionable building ideas, only for everything to go horribly wrong. You’ll laugh, you’ll argue about whose fault it was, and you’ll quickly discover whether your group has what it takes to become the next Bob the Builder.

As you progress through the different jobs, there are also optional challenges and events to complete, rewarding you with cosmetics that can be used to customise your Bean in the break room.

Completing a level doesn’t necessarily mean you’re finished with it, either. You can return to tackle the more demanding Master Builder mode, or attempt a time trial to improve your completion time and work towards unlocking additional rewards and certifications.

Updates also bring opportunities for additional equipment, cosmetics, skins and construction jobs, giving players more reasons to return for another round of absolute madness.

One thing I particularly want to mention is the attention to detail when it comes to Easter eggs. Now, I’m a sucker for a good Easter egg, and I’m not talking about the chocolate kind!

For example, if you take a sledgehammer to the television and give it a proper whack, you’ll be treated to the original Dumb Ways to Die advert. It’s a brilliant little discovery, especially for those of us who remember watching it when we were younger.

You can even recreate some of the ridiculous deaths featured in the original song. Remember the line about eating unrefrigerated pie? Well, go ahead and try it. Just don’t come crying to me when your Bean starts feeling rather unwell!

It’s these little discoveries that make exploring each location worthwhile. You never quite know what you’ll stumble across, whether it’s a useful tool, a hidden reference or another completely unnecessary way to meet your maker.