Antenna

About

Antenna is a single player casual puzzle game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by LWNA and was released on April 7, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Antenna" is a sound-based puzzle game where players use a machine to scan the radio spectrum and respond to its existential questions. The game requires a US keyboard layout and a mouse with a wheel for optimal play. Players should ensure they have sound on, as the puzzles are audio-based.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,736 reviews

graphics147 positive mentions

story45 negative mentions

Atmospheric visuals and sound design create an immersive experience.
Unique audio-based puzzles that challenge players' listening skills.
Free to play, making it accessible for everyone.

Very short gameplay, lasting only about 20-30 minutes.
Lack of clear instructions or guidance on puzzles can lead to confusion.
Some puzzles may be frustrating, especially for players with hearing difficulties.

graphics
274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising its minimalist and atmospheric art style reminiscent of "Limbo." While some appreciate the unique visuals and sound design that create a sense of solitude, others criticize the graphics as outdated or lacking depth, describing the overall aesthetic as more of a tech demo than a fully realized experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's striking visuals and engaging atmosphere have garnered a positive reception among fans of indie art games.
- “Visually, Antenna excels with its distinctive art style and atmospheric presentation.”
- “The minimalist graphics and surreal landscapes create a sense of otherworldly beauty, drawing players into its enigmatic world.”
- “The art style beautifully captures the dystopian setting, evoking a sense of melancholy and mystery.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack any cohesive style, making the world feel more like a hastily assembled prototype than a fully-realized universe.”
- “The game features really lackluster 2D visuals (does the developer not know 3D graphics became mainstream in the mid-1990s?).”
- “A slow walking character, confusing 'puzzles,' and a graphics style where you can barely see anything makes this a waste of time.”
story
249 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
67%
18%
The game's story is widely criticized for being minimal or entirely absent, leaving players feeling unfulfilled and confused about their objectives. Many reviewers express a desire for a more cohesive narrative or background to enhance the gameplay experience, suggesting that the lack of a clear story detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements and the potential for personal interpretation, the consensus is that a more developed storyline would significantly improve the game.
- “Antenna is a remarkable point-and-click adventure game that captivates players with its unique art style, immersive storytelling, and thought-provoking themes.”
- “What sets Antenna apart is its masterful storytelling.”
- “The story is pretty simple: you play as a lonely robot in an unknown world, and your objective is to contact someone out there, using the radio towers and other equipment.”
- “What I got was a ghost of a story, flickering faintly before vanishing altogether.”
- “However, the story's fragmented nature and lack of cohesive narrative thread leave much to be desired, leaving players craving more depth and resolution by the journey's end.”
- “There is absolutely no story at all, and though the art would seem to imply some story is happening, it is totally unclear what that might be.”
atmosphere
227 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
27%
1%
The atmosphere of the game "Antenna" is widely praised for its captivating and immersive qualities, drawing comparisons to titles like "Limbo" due to its minimalist art style and haunting soundscapes. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of solitude and intrigue, despite its short length and lack of a substantial narrative. Overall, the atmospheric experience is considered a significant highlight, making it a worthwhile play for fans of atmospheric and audio-based puzzle games.
- “The sound design further enhances the atmosphere, with ambient soundscapes and haunting melodies immersing players in the eerie tranquility of the radio waves.”
- “The atmosphere is exquisite.”
- “Antenna is a very short, but quite atmospheric game.”
- “But of course, an atmosphere without purpose is just decoration.”
- “There was atmosphere, but it was minimal (in feeling, not just design), and the fact that every action the player takes must be directed with on-screen cues reflects the fact that without them, this game wouldn't make sense - it's just not intuitive.”
- “This kind of bad usability is all over the place, taking away all the atmosphere and finally made me rage quit the game.”
gameplay
175 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
74%
3%
The gameplay of "Antenna" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its unique audio-based mechanics and atmospheric visuals, but criticizing its repetitiveness and lack of depth. While some found the puzzles intriguing, others described the gameplay as simplistic and confusing, often leading to frustration due to unclear mechanics and minimal direction. Overall, the game is seen as a short, visually appealing experience that may not satisfy those seeking more engaging or challenging gameplay.
- “The gameplay mechanics of Antenna are intuitive and well-crafted.”
- “Antenna's gameplay revolves around deciphering cryptic messages and manipulating radio signals to progress through its mysterious world.”
- “The fusion of striking visuals, engaging gameplay, and immersive storytelling make Antenna an indie gem that deserves recognition.”
- “The gameplay is painfully repetitive, with a monotonous loop that fails to capture any sense of excitement or challenge.”
- “Overall, I loved the premise of the game and its unique take on audio puzzles, although I could not recommend it, as the gameplay was lacking and instead of enjoying the game and trying to tackle the puzzles, I was more concerned about figuring out the keybinds and what I am supposed to do next.”
- “The gameplay is sluggish and the puzzles are incredibly tedious; it took me a good ten minutes on one of the puzzles.”
music
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
7%
The music in the game is generally praised for its ambient quality and ability to create an immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. While some players find the soundtrack beautiful and fitting, others feel it is not particularly memorable or varied. The integration of music into the puzzles is noted as a unique aspect, appealing especially to those with a musical inclination, though it may pose challenges for others.
- “Beautiful picture and soundtrack.”
- “The game is interesting... has some good background music and the puzzles aren't really difficult, it has some weird vibe which can trap you into the atmosphere.”
- “Really awesome small free game, I like the idea of music and frequency and the radio tunings.... as a musician I really appreciate the work, there should be more music and hearing games around to help children and adults to get more audible... in this visual video-game generation... we start to lose our hearing abilities.”
- “The soundtrack does a passable job supporting the gameplay and story but is nothing to write home about.”
- “Sound and music is nothing special but it gets the job done.”
- “Music, artwork, and the mood were well done, but music/sound puzzles are not my bag.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
43%
50%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many users noting that it offers little to no incentive to play again after completing it. While some players found value in the initial experience, the absence of additional content or replay options significantly limits its longevity, making it a one-time play for most.
- “That aside, if you enjoy puzzle games, I would recommend giving this game a try. A lot of the puzzles allow you to have some fun tuning into various frequencies before solving them. Although it doesn't have much replay value once finished, it's definitely worth playing through at least once.”
- “The absence of additional content or replay value further diminishes its longevity, relegating the game to a one-time experience for most players.”
- “For that reason, replayability is also non-existent.”
- “This game lacks any replayability whatsoever.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been widely criticized for its stability issues, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance problems that hinder the overall experience. While some appreciate the game's design, the technical shortcomings, including freezing and control issues, have left many frustrated. Overall, players recommend caution for those sensitive to such instability.
- “However, occasional technical glitches and performance issues detract from the overall immersion.”
- “My only honest problem with it has nothing to do with style or graphics, just the fact that it's buggy as hell.”
- “However, the game lacks content, explanation, and is at times buggy in its controls (only keyboard support, and sometimes it seems not even that).”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with players feeling that it requires an unrealistic investment of time. Many found the gameplay sluggish and the puzzles frustratingly bland, leading to a reliance on guides to progress. While some appreciated the mini-games as a break from the grinding, the overall sentiment leans towards a negative experience with the grinding mechanics.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Quite possibly the most tedious game I ever played.”
- “The gameplay is sluggish and the puzzles are incredibly tedious; it took me a good ten minutes on one of the puzzles.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews on the emotional aspect of the game are mixed; while some players found it lacking in emotional depth and connection, others praised its touching story and minimalist design that evoked strong feelings. The game's atmosphere and art style contributed to a range of emotional responses, with some players expressing profound relatability and even tears during gameplay. Overall, it appears that while the game may not deliver a deeply philosophical experience, it can still resonate emotionally with certain players.
- “I can't tell you how many videos and games can make me feel emotional in 10 minutes or less, with a story that makes me have a new look on life.”
- “So relatable... I cried every time I played through this masterpiece.”
- “Don't expect a full-scale philosophical experience - this is not a hefty emotional, let alone existential game, but due to the sober and stark black & white artwork and the minimalistic but very effective soundscape, it delivers as a tasty and well-prepared gaming snack.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is perceived as hit-or-miss, with some players finding it amusing, particularly in the context of younger players struggling to grasp its concepts. However, others feel that the game lacks depth and that certain achievements, like the fourth one, detract from the overall comedic experience. Overall, while some moments are funny, the game may not consistently deliver engaging humor.
- “Sure, if you want to create funny moments.”
- “It's funny to see the kids who know nothing about life trying to figure this game out as if it had some deeper or complex meaning.”
- “Quite a funny game, although the 4th achievement seems to be a waste of time.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is hindered by occasional technical glitches and performance issues, which negatively impact the overall immersion, leading some users to perceive it more as a piece of performance art than a traditional game.
- “However, occasional technical glitches and performance issues detract from the overall immersion.”
- “This strikes me as more of a piece of performance art than a game.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a straightforward monetization model, as it does not include in-game purchases, microtransactions, or any additional monetization elements such as trading cards or collectibles.
- “It doesn't have in-game purchases.”
- “It doesn't have trading cards, cross-platform multiplayer, real-time weapon changes, collectibles, microtransactions, or explosions.”