Antenna

About

"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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,693 reviews

graphics146 positive mentions

story43 negative mentions

Beautiful art style and atmosphere reminiscent of Limbo.
Unique sound-based puzzles that require careful listening.
Free to play, making it accessible to everyone.

Very short gameplay, taking only about 20-30 minutes to complete.
Lack of clear instructions or guidance for puzzles, leading to confusion.
Some puzzles can be frustrating, especially for those with hearing difficulties.

graphics
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
44%
1%
The graphics of "Antenna" are widely praised for their striking, minimalist art style reminiscent of games like "Limbo," creating an atmospheric and otherworldly experience. Players appreciate the unique black-and-white visuals and hand-drawn aesthetics, which effectively convey themes of loneliness and mystery. While the visuals are generally considered beautiful and engaging, some reviewers note that the gameplay does not fully capitalize on this artistic potential, leading to a mixed overall impression.
- “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.”
- “From the moment I entered the desolate world of Antenna, I was entranced by its distinctive black-and-white visuals and hand-drawn aesthetics.”
- “A slow walking character, confusing 'puzzles,' and a graphics style where you can barely see anything makes this a waste of time.”
- “I'm sad to say, though, that the aesthetic is similar to many indie games I see these days (obvious comparison is limbo) and the puzzles are scarce and unchallenging.”
- “The graphics aren't worth it.”
story
243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
67%
18%
The game's story is largely criticized for its minimalism and lack of clarity, with many players expressing confusion over the narrative and feeling that it lacks depth or cohesion. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements and the potential for personal interpretation, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game would benefit significantly from a more developed storyline to enhance the overall experience. Overall, players find the absence of a clear narrative unsatisfying, leaving them wanting more context and meaning behind their actions.
- “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 fusion of striking visuals, engaging gameplay, and immersive storytelling make Antenna an indie gem that deserves recognition.”
- “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.”
- “What disappointed me was the fact that there seemed to be a lack of a story and no sense of direction given to the player.”
atmosphere
221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
27%
1%
The atmosphere of "Antenna" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, drawing comparisons to games like "Limbo" with its minimalist art style and ambient soundscapes. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of solitude and intrigue, despite its short length and lack of a substantial narrative. While the atmospheric experience is a highlight, some reviewers note that the gameplay and story could benefit from further development.
- “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 of this game hits hard.”
- “The attention to detail in each scene is impressive, and the monochromatic palette adds depth to the game's atmosphere, immersing players in a visually captivating experience.”
- “This kind of bad usability is all over the place, taking away all the atmosphere and finally made me rage quit the game.”
- “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.”
- “I liked the art style for this game, and it reminded me of Limbo, with its dark and bleak atmosphere, but that was about it.”
gameplay
169 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
73%
4%
The gameplay of "Antenna" is characterized by its simplicity and reliance on audio-based puzzles, which some players found intriguing while others deemed it lackluster and confusing. Many reviews highlight the game's atmospheric visuals and art style, but criticize the minimal and often tedious gameplay mechanics, which can lead to frustration due to vague instructions and a lack of engaging content. Overall, while the game offers a unique premise and aesthetic appeal, its gameplay is seen as basic and underdeveloped, making it more of an atmospheric experience than a fully realized game.
- “Antenna's gameplay revolves around deciphering cryptic messages and manipulating radio signals to progress through its mysterious world.”
- “The gameplay mechanics of Antenna are intuitive and well-crafted.”
- “The fusion of striking visuals, engaging gameplay, and immersive storytelling make Antenna an indie gem that deserves recognition.”
- “While its atmospheric world and cryptic puzzles may intrigue players initially, its lackluster gameplay and shallow narrative ultimately leave much to be desired.”
- “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 absolutely lacking and instead of enjoying the game and trying to tackle the puzzles, I was more concerned on 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, with many users appreciating the unique soundscapes and minimalist approach. While some find the soundtrack to be merely adequate, others highlight its role in enhancing the gameplay experience, particularly in relation to the auditory puzzles. Overall, the game is recommended for music lovers, though opinions vary on the depth and memorability of the soundtrack.
- “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 rating it very low (around 1-2 out of 5). Players note that once completed, there is little incentive to revisit the game, making it a one-time experience despite some enjoyment derived from the puzzles during the initial playthrough. While it may be worth trying for puzzle enthusiasts, the absence of additional content significantly limits its longevity.
- “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 it 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 users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance problems that hinder the overall experience. While some players appreciate the game's design, the technical shortcomings, including control issues and sound problems, have led to frustration and disappointment. Overall, the game's stability is a significant drawback that affects immersion and enjoyment.
- “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
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
64%
Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment akin to having a "second life." Many find the achievement grinding, particularly for hidden achievements, to be frustrating and time-consuming, contributing to an overall sluggish gameplay experience.
- “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 highlight a mixed emotional impact across different games. While some players felt a lack of emotional connection and found other free games more effective in conveying feelings, others praised specific titles for their touching stories and minimalist design that evoked strong emotions. Overall, the emotional experience varies significantly, with some games delivering profound moments while others fall short.
- “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 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, though the 4th achievement seems to be a waste of time.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has been criticized for occasional technical glitches and performance issues, which hinder the overall immersive experience, leading some 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 like 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.”