A Game of Changes
- June 1, 2016
- Nuno Donato
Get on Steam"A Game of Changes" is a single-player puzzle game with elements of strategy and symbolism. Players must shift and rotate tiles to create patterns based on the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text. With no time limits or score system, the game encourages a meditative and contemplative experience as players progress through its 75 levels.
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Reviews
- The game offers a unique and calming experience, allowing players to engage with philosophical concepts while solving puzzles.
- Players have found joy and hope through the game, using it as a therapeutic escape during difficult times.
- The combination of puzzles and platforming elements is well-executed, providing a satisfying challenge for players.
- The game suffers from technical issues such as freezing and crashing, which can hinder gameplay.
- There are limited customization options for controls and graphics, making it less accessible for some players.
- The game lacks clear instructions and tutorials, which can lead to confusion for those unfamiliar with the source material.
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its relaxing and zen-like quality, enhancing the overall experience with lovely melodies that complement the graphics. However, users have expressed frustration over the lack of proper audio controls, making it difficult to adjust or turn off the background music without resorting to external methods.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“A game of changes has such lovely music and endearing graphics, and the gameplay is so intuitive and simple, I think that rage is pretty much out of the question.”
“It's worth mentioning that the game has a very nice zen-like soundtrack that fits very well.”
“Bewilderingly, the game doesn't include proper audio controls, so you can't turn off the annoying background music; you'll need to alt+tab out and stop the music using the Windows sound mixer.”
“There are volume controls available only after starting a level, specifically for music, but they are completely ignored when going back to the main menu.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally considered low quality, with no options for resolution or customization, limiting players' ability to enhance their visual experience. However, some users appreciate the charming and endearing art style, which complements the game's music and intuitive gameplay.
“A game of changes has such lovely music and endearing graphics, and the gameplay is so intuitive and simple; I think that rage is pretty much out of the question.”
“There's no option to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
“There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of these games is criticized as exploitative, with developers accused of producing low-effort, template-based games that rely on asset flipping and cash grabs rather than original content. This approach is seen as a form of shovelware, prioritizing profit over quality and creativity.
“These guys do nothing but copy premade game templates and game tutorials, fill out a few things, stamp out basic levels using the construction kit templates, slap on an asset-flipped set of sprites/assets, and dump them on Steam and into daily indie game bundles as cash grabs.”
“Trying to get paid for someone else's game templates and assets... at best, this is shovelware; at worst, it's a scam or cash grab.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been noted as confusing for those unfamiliar with the source material, and the lack of a tutorial exacerbates this issue. Players may require external guidance to understand the basic mechanics effectively.
“The gameplay is incredibly engaging and offers a unique blend of strategy and action that keeps you on your toes.”
“The mechanics are intuitive and allow for a smooth learning curve, making it accessible for both new and experienced players.”
“The level design is fantastic, providing a variety of challenges that encourage exploration and creativity in gameplay.”
“If you're unfamiliar with the source material, the gameplay is confusing, and there's no tutorial.”
“The controls feel clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate through the game.”
“The pacing is off, leading to long stretches of boredom between action sequences.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story conveys a powerful message about resilience and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that perseverance in the face of adversity can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
“The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users note that the game offers higher replayability compared to traditional 3D platformers, suggesting that its design and mechanics encourage players to return for multiple playthroughs.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant issue, with users reporting frequent freezes and crashes that hinder progress, often preventing them from advancing beyond early stages.
“This review is only negative because the game freezes and crashes so much for me that I haven't been able to make it past the fourth stage.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a "hands off" approach to instruction, which complements its overall pace and enhances the immersive experience.
“The game feels very 'hands off' in terms of explicit instruction, which I think fits the atmosphere and the pace of the game quite well.”
