All Hands on Deck for Windows

Quick snapshot

All Hands on Deck is a vivid two-player cooperative puzzle-platformer from Studio Mantasaur. You play as a pair of anthropomorphic hands sent into a daycare-turned-dreamscape to recover missing plush toys. The game’s tone is playful and upbeat, with bright visuals and charming level design.

Core gameplay and teamwork

Players switch their hands into different forms to overcome obstacles: a heavy form to bash through barriers, a flat form to grasp objects and high-five, and a cutting form to slice through certain hazards. These shape-based abilities form the backbone of its puzzling — success usually requires close coordination between the two players and inventive use of each form.

Gadgets, gizmos, and creative solutions

• Extendable arms that let you reach distant platforms
• Paint tubes and rubber bands used to alter the environment or create new paths
• Novel joint tools that combine or modify your hand-forms to unlock additional interactions

Combining these silly tools with the shape mechanics leads to clever puzzles and emergent solutions as you explore each dreamlike classroom and play area.

Multiplayer setup and accessibility

Local couch co-op is straightforward and ideal for quick sessions, but online play has a limitation: every connected player must own their own copy of the game. That requirement can make spontaneous online sessions harder to arrange for friends who don’t already own it.

Highlights

• Infectious, whimsical art direction and level themes
• Cooperative puzzles that reward communication and coordination
• Inventive transformable mechanics that keep challenges fresh

Drawbacks

• The need for every player to purchase a copy for online multiplayer restricts pick-up-and-play accessibility
• Sessions can stall if players aren’t comfortable cooperating or communicating
• Some puzzles can feel fiddly if you’re not synced with your partner

Final thoughts

All Hands on Deck is a heartwarming, cooperative experience that shines when two people commit to teamwork and experimentation. Its personality and mechanics make it a standout among indie co-op titles, but the paywall for online multiplayer may limit how often you can jump in with casual friends. If you enjoy cooperative problem-solving and whimsical environments, it’s worth checking out — otherwise consider looking for alternatives that let one owner host more easily.