Access Denied
- December 17, 2016
- Stately Snail
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Access Denied" is a puzzle game featuring 36 levels with increasing difficulty. Players must crack codes and solve a series of puzzles using commands, rotating dials, and more. The game features 3D graphics and a realistic sounding rain and thunder environment, with no hand-holding tutorials. The goal is to defy odds and overcome hurdles to earn the chance to "have your cake and eat it too."
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
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Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a variety of puzzles that can be enjoyable and provide a sense of accomplishment when solved.
- Visually appealing with good graphics and a relaxing ambiance, making it a pleasant experience overall.
- Affordable price point makes it a decent pick for casual puzzle game enthusiasts.
- Many puzzles are either too easy or rely on trial and error, leading to frustration rather than logical problem-solving.
- The game lacks a cohesive story or motivation for solving the puzzles, which can make the experience feel hollow.
- Controls can be awkward and unresponsive, particularly when interacting with rotating dials and other mechanics.
- gameplay23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay features 35 levels, starting with tutorial stages that introduce basic mechanics, but many players find the puzzles repetitive and lacking in challenge. While the graphics are appealing and the gameplay fluid, the mechanics often feel underutilized, with some puzzles relying on non-intuitive elements that can lead to frustration. Overall, the game offers a minimalistic puzzle experience that may not justify its price for some players, despite being enjoyable for others.
“There are 35 levels to play through, the first 8 or so being tutorial levels that introduce some of the mechanics.”
“Every puzzle has a solution to it once you figure out the mechanic.”
“It has appealing graphics and very fluid gameplay.”
“The gameplay is as simple as it is confusing.”
“I would love to see 'Access Denied 2' with actually challenging puzzles, because the graphics have a lot to give, but the actual gameplay is poor in ideas.”
“Worse yet, some gameplay you only used once, making some of the puzzles 'one-offs' that once you learned it didn't teach much in regards to gameplay.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their appealing and consistent industrial-cartoon aesthetic, contributing to a pleasant environment. However, some players feel that the visuals are underutilized due to a lack of engaging gameplay and that certain graphical elements, like symbols, suffer from low quality. Overall, while the graphics are considered nice and fluid, they are overshadowed by gameplay issues and a lack of depth.
“Impressed by the amount of graphics put into such a simple game.”
“It has appealing graphics and very fluid gameplay.”
“Actually, with the lovely visuals and pleasant environment, I kind of wish there was more to play in this game or at least in its world environment!”
“I would love to see 'Access Denied 2' with actually challenging puzzles, because the graphics have a lot to give, but the actual gameplay is poor in ideas.”
“Many of the puzzles require you to read and translate a series of symbols that all look the same due to the low graphical quality of the engine.”
“Quite a nice little puzzle game in the style of 'The Room', but it's lacking any story, and graphics seem to prefer style over design: it looks nice and shiny, but the game is buggy, and controls are clunky.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 42 % negative mentions
The game lacks a meaningful story, with many users noting that it feels more like a puzzle experience than a narrative-driven one. While the aesthetic is appealing, the absence of a compelling storyline or character development leaves players feeling unfulfilled and questioning the purpose behind the gameplay. Those seeking a rich narrative should look elsewhere, as the game offers little in terms of story engagement.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Aesthetic is consistent and flavorful, even if the story doesn't really exist.”
“There's no feeling of reward - though the sales pitch tells a story of a not-so-distant future where personal data is being stored in elaborate boxes, you never get to see the contents of the box you've just cracked.”
“Though, if you are looking for a story, characters, or action... well, you're looking at the wrong game.”
“Unfortunately there is no story or reason for you to be opening these boxes.”
“If story is important to you, stay away as there is none.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it either non-existent or overly intrusive, such as the constant loud sound of rain that detracts from the experience. While a few users appreciated the relaxing quality of the music, many ultimately preferred to play without sound due to dissatisfaction with the soundtrack. Overall, the game's audio design appears to be a significant point of contention among players.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“There is a constant soundtrack, but it only manifests as a continuous pouring rain outside whatever building you inhabit in this game.”
“No music and constant rain in the end were jarring.”
“Although the music pretends to be relaxing, I didn't like it at all and I ended up playing it without sound.”
“For what is such a visually flavorful game, 'Access Denied' has virtually no soundtrack.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be suitable for farming, as it offers a visually appealing experience; however, the puzzles can become frustratingly easy and tedious, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“The game is visually charming, but the actual puzzles are frustratingly easy and tedious.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its appealing visuals and sound design, effectively utilizing its single-room setting to create an immersive experience. However, some users feel that the atmosphere lacks depth and intuition, suggesting it could be enhanced further.
“The game also looks nice, sounds great, and makes the most of its setting, creating a good little atmosphere in its single room.”
“It's like being in a room without any atmosphere or intuition.”
“The game lacks any real sense of immersion or environmental detail.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, making it hard to get engaged.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is visually appealing but suffers from significant stability issues, including bugs and clunky controls that detract from the overall experience. While it offers a nice puzzle-solving experience, the technical shortcomings hinder its potential.
“Quite a nice little puzzle game in the style of 'The Room', but it's lacking any story, and graphics seem to prefer style over design: it looks nice and shiny, but the game is buggy, and controls are clunky.”
“As for being buggy: the boxes sit on a kind of desk, where you can turn them around (and a little bit up and down), zoom in and out to find details (not that looking for minute detail is required for more than one puzzle).”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users note that while the game may lack immediate replayability, it is considered revisitable after some time, particularly for puzzle games, suggesting a potential for enjoyment upon revisiting.
“While it has no immediate replayability value, I figure most puzzle games are revisitable after a few years, haha.”
