A Virus Named TOM
- May 9, 2013
- Misfits Attic
Get on Steam"A Virus Named TOM" is a unique puzzle game where you play as a mischievous virus. Your goal is to infect computer systems by solving increasingly complex puzzles. With its quirky humor and challenging gameplay, TOM offers a fresh and entertaining take on the puzzle genre.
Reviews
- The game features a unique and imaginative concept, blending puzzle mechanics with arcade action, making it enjoyable and engaging.
- The soundtrack is catchy and complements the gameplay well, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game offers a challenging yet rewarding progression, with puzzles that require quick thinking and sharp instincts.
- The difficulty can feel artificial and frustrating, with some puzzles relying heavily on memorization and trial and error.
- Technical issues such as cutscenes not playing and the game getting stuck at selection screens detract from the overall experience.
- The controls can feel unresponsive and loose, making precise movements difficult, which can lead to frustration during gameplay.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the reviewed game features a mix of pipe puzzle mechanics and arcade action, with some players finding the difficulty artificial and the controls clashing. While some appreciate the original gameplay and teamwork elements in local co-op, others feel that the core mechanics are flawed and detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a blend of fun and frustration, with varying opinions on its execution and complexity.
“It was a fun pipe puzzle game with arcade action mechanics.”
“Rarely did I feel overwhelmed by any of the mechanics; instead, I was rather impressed with myself for being able to solve what initially appeared to be incredibly involved puzzles.”
“If you dismiss indie games as being either fast, tough-as-nails platformers or artsy atmospheric environments, I highly encourage you to give this game a shot - this is a fine example of original gameplay that requires split-second precision and risk/reward decision making.”
“The difficulty feels entirely artificial and the mechanics clash with each other.”
“Something just doesn't feel right about the core mechanic of how you rotate the blocks.”
“A virus named Tom is not a bad game, but the game mechanics and controls don't make this all that fun to play.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchiness and variety, with many players expressing a desire to add the soundtrack to their personal collections. The electronic soundtrack complements the gameplay well, enhancing the overall experience, although some players feel that certain sound effects can be distracting. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
“Very catchy music, there is a surprising amount of variation for a game with only really 2 buttons of controls plus the D-pad or arrow keys.”
“The levels are well paced, and the music is awesome.”
“The soundtrack by Ian Hicks is extremely well done - 7 tracks that nicely complement the setting and gameplay that are well worth purchasing and adding to your MP3 player.”
“The music and sound effects, while technically nice, serve only to distract and break concentration. The worst offender is the 'time limit almost up *bwoop bwoop bwoop*' sound effect.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is engaging and rewarding, featuring a surprisingly lengthy single-player campaign complemented by a separate co-op experience. Players appreciate the quirky narrative and the increasing difficulty, which adds to the challenge and enjoyment as they progress.
“It's constantly rewarding and satisfying to progress, even with the surprisingly long single-player story (which doesn't take into account the entire separate co-op campaign which I've yet to even dip into).”
“Story: -/10”
“This really delivers an amazing co-op experience... easy to pick up while it gets more and more challenging throughout the story, and unbelievably hard towards the end.”
“Gets more difficult later on, with more advanced enemies, and has a quirky story.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's art style is praised for its appealing futuristic and comical aesthetic, though the overall visuals received a mixed rating of 5/10, indicating room for improvement.
“The art style is very nice, and they definitely captured a futuristic and comical game look.”
“The graphics are mediocre at best, lacking the detail and polish expected from modern games.”
“I found the visuals to be quite disappointing; they feel outdated and uninspired.”
“The art style is inconsistent, making it hard to appreciate the overall graphics.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its charming and humorous cutscenes that effectively balance themes of mass hysteria and deconstruction with a lighthearted tone, complemented by a fantastic electronic soundtrack.
“It features a fantastic electronic soundtrack, and some rather charming and humorous cutscenes that somehow manage to make mass hysteria and deconstruction feel lighthearted and amusing.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and boring, with puzzles that detract from the overall enjoyment and engagement.
“The game seemed interesting at first, but the puzzles were just really tedious, boring, and not very fun.”
“Grinding in this game feels like a never-ending chore rather than an engaging experience.”
“I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the game feel more like a job than a source of entertainment.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highlighted as a unique blend of original gameplay that combines fast-paced action with a focus on precision and strategic risk/reward decisions, challenging the stereotype of indie games being solely about artistic environments.
“The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and haunting sound design.”
“Every corner of the environment feels alive, creating a sense of tension and wonder that keeps you engaged throughout your journey.”
“The combination of the eerie soundtrack and beautifully crafted landscapes makes for an unforgettable atmospheric experience.”
