02.08.2011
Analysis by: Emily Greenquist
Machinarium
“Machinarium” is a stunningly beautiful puzzle game with a tone of cold isolation in a cluttered world.
In instances of pause, the player robot remembers (or imagines) moments of being bullied and watches idly as other, pompous robots throw their weight around, navigating the world freely. By contrast, the player must take the long way through every level, using objects, switches, timing, and the ability to stretch and shrink to move on to the next.
In instances of pause, the player robot remembers (or imagines) moments of being bullied and watches idly as other, pompous robots throw their weight around, navigating the world freely. By contrast, the player must take the long way through every level, using objects, switches, timing, and the ability to stretch and shrink to move on to the next.
There are no variant paths in "Machinarium;" navigation is a step-by-step procedure, hidden within the clutter. Because the surroundings are so wonderfully jumbled and detailed, it is difficult to find the necessary pieces of each puzzle that navigate the player along. Even once the pieces are found, the puzzles themselves are frustratingly difficult, and I often found myself tediously going through trial and error exercises or even arbitrary mouse clicking. There is a mini-game available, and if successfully completed, hints are rewarded; however, I also found this process unnecessarily difficult.
It may have been the masterful development of loneliness and expert art that drew me into “Machinarium,” but it was the excessively difficult and tedious game play that drew me out. Still, I recommend an earnest peek into this world, as the art is truly inspiring; just don’t be ashamed to duck out before fiery frustration seeps in.
Play "Machinarium"
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