7th Sector

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 170 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • atmosphere
7th Sector Game Cover
Even if you have a passing interest in puzzle games, I do think you’d enjoy 7th Sector as it’s different enough to stand out, with an interesting story that will keep you playing through to the end
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"7th Sector" is a cyberpunk-themed puzzle game set in a mysterious world. Players control multiple characters, each with unique abilities, to solve intricate puzzles and uncover the world's story. With a branching system, the game has 4 different endings, and the soundtrack is by "Nobody's Nail Machine."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 170 reviews
gameplay11 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning with a captivating cyberpunk atmosphere and excellent sound design.
  • Puzzles are diverse and clever, providing a satisfying challenge for players who enjoy problem-solving.
  • The game features a unique narrative told through environmental storytelling, enhancing immersion.
  • Controls can be frustrating and clunky, making precise movements and actions difficult.
  • Some puzzles lack clear instructions or hints, leading to confusion and reliance on trial and error.
  • The difficulty spikes significantly, which may deter casual players and lead to frustration.
  • gameplay70 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the variety of mechanics and puzzles, while others find it frustrating and poorly explained. Many users noted that the game often fails to adequately introduce new mechanics, leading to confusion and trial-and-error gameplay. Overall, while the atmosphere and art style are praised, the gameplay is criticized for being repetitive, clunky, and at times, infuriating.

    • “The puzzles are clever and diverse, the level design and mechanics are always changing - in a connected and logical way.”
    • “There is a lot of gameplay variety as you command an electrical spark through exposed wires and machinery, a small RC car, a robot with a heavy mounted gun, a metal ball, a flying head, a human shadow on television, each with their own unique properties.”
    • “The variety of gameplay elements and environments really helps to keep this roughly two-and-a-half hour experience fresh and for the most part, enjoyable.”
    • “Sometimes new mechanics are not explained well enough - or at all - and there is a fair share of trial and error.”
    • “The gameplay is boring; you basically do the same stuff over and over again.”
    • “The puzzles way too often feel like you solve them completely by accident since sometimes it's pretty unclear what the game actually wants you to do or it even fails to introduce new mechanics to you.”
  • story61 mentions

    The story in "7th Sector" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and visual cues, creating a compelling backdrop set in a dystopian cyberpunk world. While some players appreciate the unique, wordless narrative and atmospheric design, others find the story vague and lacking depth, with many puzzles feeling disconnected from the overall plot. Overall, the game offers an intriguing experience for those who enjoy non-traditional storytelling, though it may leave some players wanting more clarity and coherence in the narrative.

    • “7th Sector is a puzzle game with a compelling background story! Zip around initially as a spark of electricity and then proceed to take control of a strange orb, a drone, a large mechanical beast, and finally the form of a human while attempting to solve the riddles that lay before you and piece together this intriguing storyline.”
    • “The atmosphere, art, story, pacing, sound design, and music are all top notch. Not just the puzzles are interesting with diverse and not so obvious solutions, but the storyline layer is so cool.”
    • “This game tells a great story with zero dialogue. The background is always busy, setting the tone and plot points of the game and it does so regularly throughout the game but without bashing you over the head with it.”
    • “There is no story to follow; 50% of the puzzles are solved faster by brute force than thinking (in some cases I didn't even know why/how I solved them).”
    • “Nice try at the cyberpunk genre, but the game fails to captivate with the story (there is not much of it) and the gameplay itself is not interesting enough.”
    • “While I do understand the decision, I don't believe this does the story justice. Still, there is plenty to dig around, at least in the background anyway, and you'd also vaguely get an idea of what transpired, but without a proper storyline, it is kind of underwhelming.”
  • atmosphere47 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and visually striking cyberpunk aesthetic, enhanced by a nostalgic and ambient electronic soundtrack reminiscent of classics like Blade Runner. Reviewers highlight the successful blend of art design, sound, and storytelling, creating a moody and engaging environment that complements the puzzle-solving gameplay. While the atmosphere is consistently described as captivating, some players note that the gameplay can occasionally detract from the overall experience.

    • “This is a hidden gem; recommended for all fans of moody atmospheric cyberpunk-ish dystopias.”
    • “The atmosphere, art, story, pacing, sound design, and music are all top notch.”
    • “Atmospherically, the game succeeds in representing a grim dystopian city, both visually and sonically.”
    • “It's like the game is trying too hard to create a tense and eerie atmosphere that it forgets where the main actions lie.”
    • “Atmosphere is a straight 10, but if you screw up the gameplay loop by messing up the movement, you failed.”
    • “The surroundings most of the time work for the atmosphere, which is a clear mix of Half-Life 2 and Blade Runner.”
  • graphics38 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their impressive visuals, atmospheric design, and strong aesthetic influences, particularly reminiscent of Blade Runner. Players appreciate the creative art style and level design, which enhance the overall experience, despite some minor gameplay issues. The combination of stunning graphics and a fitting electronic soundtrack contributes to a captivating and immersive world.

    • “Aesthetically and thematically, this is the closest you get to a Simon Stålenhag inspired game.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay excellent, the music stunning, but best of all, the puzzles!”
    • “The atmosphere and the visuals are top notch (not even with a 'for such a small team' disclaimer).”
    • “The graphics are sumptuous, the amount of level design is incredible and could justify playing the game if you could get through the weak points.”
    • “Graphical options are limited, though they're not necessary.”
    • “This is a 2D platformer with 3D graphics, so you don't have too much in the way of camera issues and such.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the overall experience, often likening it to the evocative soundscapes of "Blade Runner" and 80s synthwave. While some players found the ambient electronic soundtrack immersive and fitting for the game's setting, others felt it was basic and not particularly memorable. Overall, the sound design, including music and effects, is noted for its high quality and contribution to the game's mood and immersion.

    • “The atmosphere is great, the sound and music are top-notch, and the intellectual challenge of the puzzles was at the level we like.”
    • “The music maintains a sci-fi theme that reminds me of the early 90s-2000s with its use of synthesizers and electronic instruments.”
    • “The in-game music and sound effects work well with the setting and add to the immersion you feel with this game.”
    • “Add to that the mostly ambient soundtrack (which is pretty basic, there is almost nothing noteworthy about the music/sound of this game; I'm going to skip that altogether. It works though, but it's not exactly memorable).”
    • “Looks like the kind of game I'd enjoy; however, being forced to listen to in-game music is a deal-breaker for me.”
    • “- mediocre sounds/music”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with many expressing frustration over the time-consuming nature of certain puzzles and regions. While some appreciate the game's mechanics, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding can lead to boredom and a lack of engagement.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The more you play, the more the game becomes tedious and boring.”
    • “However, the real criticism is how tedious the game feels.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some users experiencing occasional framerate drops in certain areas despite having adequate hardware. While performance is generally good, there are concerns about optimization for remote play and potential underlying issues related to the Unity engine.

    • “The performance is excellent, allowing for smooth gameplay even in the most demanding scenarios.”
    • “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it runs seamlessly on my system without any hiccups.”
    • “The optimization really shines through, providing a stable frame rate and quick load times.”
    • “I only have two technical gripes: first, I did have the occasional area (one was almost a whole level) where the framerate took a hit for no real reason, when neither my GPU nor CPU nor memory were close to maxed out. I've had similar issues with other Unity games, and I believe it may just be a lack of optimization on the part of Unity itself.”
    • “- Not optimized for remote play”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is perceived as lacking, with players finding certain achievements, like dying 100 times, to be more frustrating than amusing. Additionally, gameplay elements that could have been humorous, such as a level involving a toy car, are marred by tedious mechanics that detract from the comedic potential.

  • replayability2 mentions

    The game's replayability is significantly hindered by frustrating sections that deter players from returning, leading to a consensus of very limited replay value beyond completing achievements.

    • “So awful in fact that the game's replay value is crushed; once you finally get past these parts, you'll probably promise yourself you'll never go back to them again!”
    • “Very limited replay value past the achievements.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game features a captivating futuristic atmosphere and engaging puzzles, but players have reported occasional glitches. Overall, it maintains a good level of stability despite these minor issues.

    • “The game has a nice atmospheric futuristic techno world, but I encountered one or two glitches that affected my experience.”
    • “While the puzzles are engaging and the action can be challenging, the stability issues detract from the overall enjoyment.”
    • “I really wanted to enjoy the game, but the frequent glitches made it frustrating to play.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

Buy 7th Sector

Play time

3hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
1-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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