Age of Invention

About

Age of Invention is a single player action game. It was developed by Mirball Games and was released on September 30, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In "Age of Invention," renovate rundown villages across various landscapes by hiring workers, gathering resources, and creating time-saving machines. Meet eccentric characters, complete levels with a gold trophy, and enjoy the game's accessibility and stunning visuals. With 55 levels and 10 difficulties, there's always a new challenge waiting!

Genres & Tags

Casual

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

optimization2 negative mentions

Age of Invention features charming visuals with a whimsical, steampunk-inspired aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
The gameplay is engaging and rewards quick thinking and efficient decision-making, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
The progression system is well-paced, gradually introducing new mechanics and challenges that keep the gameplay fresh and satisfying.

The game can become repetitive over time, as the core gameplay loop remains largely unchanged throughout the campaign.
Strict time limits for achieving gold ratings can frustrate casual players, leaving little room for experimentation or error.
Technical issues, such as crashes and unresponsive controls, detract from the overall experience and can make the game unplayable for some users.

gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
76%
12%
The gameplay in "Age of Invention" is a blend of traditional time management mechanics with unique elements that enhance complexity and engagement, particularly through resource collection and task prioritization. While the core loop of collecting, repairing, and upgrading remains consistent, some players may find the gameplay lacks variety and originality compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, it offers a polished experience for fans of resource-based strategy games, though it is marred by technical issues and a linear progression.
- “The gameplay is the true heart of Age of Invention, following the blueprint of other time management games but adding its own flavor through inventive mechanics and layered objectives.”
- “This gradual layering of complexity keeps the gameplay engaging and satisfying.”
- “For fans of resource-based strategy games who take pleasure in optimizing every move, Age of Invention offers hours of focused, rewarding gameplay that celebrates creativity, efficiency, and the simple joy of rebuilding a world one invention at a time.”
- “Despite the introduction of new settings and mechanics, the core gameplay loop—collect, repair, upgrade, repeat—remains largely unchanged throughout the campaign.”
- “Players who crave variety in objectives or more emergent gameplay may find themselves yearning for something beyond the time-based optimization puzzle that defines the game’s identity.”
- “The spinning plate and resource management elements that make up this game are bare bones and don't offer enough mechanics or originality to make this title stand out.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The graphics of "Age of Invention" feature a cartoonish and charming aesthetic, reminiscent of classic puzzle designs, with a steampunk vibe that appeals to a younger audience. However, the visuals are simplistic and may feel underwhelming for PC gamers accustomed to higher-quality graphics, as there are limited options for resolution and customization. Overall, while the graphics are cute and fit the game's lighthearted theme, they lack the depth and polish expected from a PC title.
- “The graphical style doesn’t strive for realism; instead, it adopts a cartoonish yet detailed charm that keeps the experience light and visually distinct.”
- “The graphic style has a steampunk vibe and the graphics themselves are reasonably good.”
- “But with such a cute art style and fast-paced levels, it really doesn’t matter as the game is incredibly fun!”
- “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
- “The game features simple, cartoony 2D graphics, of the type you normally expect to see in low-effort mobile apps.”
- “Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game's story centers on a talented inventor tasked with restoring a once-thriving kingdom through various missions focused on repairing infrastructure and managing resources. While the narrative provides a basic framework for gameplay, it is often described as clichéd and forgettable, with a repetitive structure that doesn't significantly enhance the experience. Overall, the story serves its purpose but lacks depth and originality, leaving players wanting more.
- “The game places players in the role of a talented inventor who must help restore a once-prosperous kingdom to its former glory by repairing cities, constructing vital infrastructure, and managing the flow of resources and labor across numerous missions.”
- “The story framing the gameplay is light but serviceable, providing just enough context to justify the player’s actions without getting in the way.”
- “Not an overly complicated story as our inventor friend moves from place to place fixing things like roads and houses and bringing 'invention' back to each place, improving the overall quality of life for the inhabitants.”
- “The overall structure of the missions rarely deviates from the established pattern.”
- “I will not go into the story because it is a bit too clichéd.”
- “The story is forgettable and the music chosen gets very repetitive and turned off quickly.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The music in the game is characterized by cheerful background tunes and mechanical sound effects that enhance the atmosphere of productivity and invention. While some players appreciate the upbeat soundtrack, others find it repetitive and prefer to play with the music turned off for a more relaxing experience. Overall, the music complements the game's visual energy but may not be memorable for all players.
- “The cheerful background music and mechanical sound effects create an atmosphere of productivity and invention.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “The soundtrack is nice.”
- “The 10 seconds of looping music also doesn't help.”
- “The story is forgettable and the music chosen gets very repetitive and I turned it off quickly.”
- “The music and sound effects are fine, though I found it more relaxing to play with them off.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game adds personality to the narrative, preventing it from feeling mechanical, though some players find it simplistic and worry about the potential for complexity. Overall, while the humor is appreciated for its lightheartedness, it can also lead to a sense of boredom for some.
- “While the narrative does not aim for emotional depth, it adds a touch of personality and humor to the proceedings, preventing the campaign from feeling purely mechanical.”
- “However, I appreciated the simplicity of Hercules and the humor in it.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization aspect is centered around finding efficient sequences of actions, presenting each stage as a puzzle. While this appeals to players who enjoy time-based challenges, those seeking more varied objectives or emergent gameplay may find it limiting.
- “Players who crave variety in objectives or more emergent gameplay may find themselves yearning for something beyond the time-based optimization puzzle that defines the game’s identity.”
- “The challenge lies not in sheer difficulty but in the player’s ability to find the most efficient sequence of actions, turning each stage into a puzzle of optimization.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a lighthearted narrative that, while not deeply emotional, infuses personality and humor into the experience, ensuring the campaign remains engaging rather than mechanical.
- “While the narrative does not aim for emotional depth, it adds a touch of personality and humor to the proceedings, preventing the campaign from feeling purely mechanical.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by cheerful background music and mechanical sound effects, fostering a sense of productivity and invention.
- “The cheerful background music and mechanical sound effects create an atmosphere of productivity and invention.”