Arctic Eggs
- May 16, 2024
- The Water Museum
- 4h median play time
In "Arctic Eggs," players assume the role of a poultry peddler stranded in Antarctica, selling illegal eggs to hungry customers in a sci-fi cooking game. The experience was created for the BIGMODE Jam 2023, and some known issues include an infinite egg glitch in the tutorial and numerous spelling mistakes. Players may need to restart the game if they encounter the egg glitch, and the developer apologizes for the inconvenience.
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging gameplay mechanic centered around frying eggs, which becomes increasingly challenging and fun as new elements are introduced.
- The atmosphere is captivating, with a surreal and dystopian setting complemented by a fantastic soundtrack and humorous, thought-provoking dialogue.
- Arctic Eggs is a short but memorable experience that combines absurdity with depth, leaving players with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to explore its quirky world further.
- The physics-based cooking mechanics can be frustrating, with items often colliding and causing unintended failures, which may lead to a sense of unfair difficulty.
- Some players experienced bugs, such as freezing or crashing during gameplay, which detracted from the overall experience.
- The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content or replayability beyond the initial playthrough.
- gameplay341 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Arctic Eggs" is centered around a simple yet engaging frying mechanic that evolves through various challenges, making it both fun and frustrating at times. Players appreciate the unique physics-based interactions and the clever incorporation of diverse ingredients that add depth to the cooking experience. While some find the gameplay repetitive or tedious, many others celebrate its addictive nature and the satisfying progression it offers within a richly atmospheric and whimsical setting.
“A unique and whimsical cooking sim that combines quirky physics-based gameplay with a surreal and mysterious atmosphere.”
“The frying mechanic stays fun for way longer than it has any right to - I actually ended up playing through it twice, once on normal and once on hard.”
“The gameplay is a clever puzzle, challenging players to think strategically.”
“Bugging out like this seems unintended and it gets in the way of mastering the frying mechanics.”
“Amazing visuals, defeated by a horrible gameplay choice with focus on fine motor skills.”
“But fuck, this is a terrible experience gameplay-wise.”
- music209 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diverse and captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. Described as a blend of chill, jazzy, and surreal sounds, the music complements the unique art style and engaging gameplay, creating an immersive experience that players find both enjoyable and memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's quirky narrative and gameplay mechanics.
“Visit a mysterious, frozen, futuristic world drenched in beautiful acid jazz music.”
“The atmosphere, odd storytelling, and music just make this game a masterpiece.”
“Honestly one of the most interesting and diverse game soundtracks I've heard in a while, great stuff.”
“The soothing musak soundtrack, the weird dialogues, the oddly satisfying frying effects, the dolphins, the pink gloom.”
“A fine, short and sweet dining experience which has a unique ragebait mechanic as meat, garnished with dystopian atmosphere, chill music, and dry humor.”
“The soundtrack is really what ties it all together.”
- humor153 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its originality and absurdity, blending quirky dialogue with surreal scenarios that keep players entertained. Many reviewers highlight the clever writing, which balances hilarity with moments of depth and introspection, making the experience both funny and thought-provoking. Overall, the game's unique comedic style and engaging NPC interactions contribute to a memorable and enjoyable gameplay experience.
“I found myself excitedly anticipating the hilarious preamble of cooking something nearly inedible.”
“The writing is genuinely hilarious and I had a blast meeting all the NPCs and cooking their eggs.”
“The absurd scenarios of flipping eggs—seasoned with cigarettes, bullets, or cockroaches—are as hilarious as they are bizarre.”
- graphics135 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic that many players find charming and fitting for its surreal and dystopian themes. While some reviews note that the visuals may appear dated, they are praised for their unique art style, vibrant atmosphere, and ability to enhance the overall experience, making the game visually engaging despite its retro roots. The combination of quirky character designs, immersive soundtracks, and thoughtful dialogue contributes to a captivating ambiance that resonates well with players.
“Absolutely beautiful and absurd game, from the art style to the thought-provoking questions, truly an amazing game.”
“The visuals are an excellent example of the surreal PSX punk chunkiness that has become popular in certain indie circles and it feels entirely appropriate; this game simply would not work in photo-realistic high definition.”
“Gorgeous and crunchy lo-fi graphics guide you through the game's host of dreamy character designs to whip meals up for whilst sharing thoughts on purpose and ambition, all wrapped in a smooth soundtrack of jazz and chill beats.”
“Wouldn't normally be an issue but the graphics of the game are nothing to call home about.”
“Ps1 era graphics mixed with a simple gameplay loop, interspersed with small vignettes of philosophy that don't mean a goddamn thing.”
“It's tough for me to get into indie games with ps1 graphics because of the overuse of the style, but the textures and music along with some post-process effects really sauce it up!”
- atmosphere114 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its surreal, whimsical, and dystopian qualities, often compared to adult swim shows and unique indie experiences. Reviewers highlight the exceptional world-building, captivating art style, and immersive soundtrack that enhance the overall experience, making it both intriguing and memorable. Despite some gameplay frustrations, the rich ambiance and quirky narrative elements contribute significantly to its charm and appeal.
“The atmosphere of this game is entirely unique to it and it has stuck with me for days after playing it; also, the soundtrack is fantastic.”
“The music, the art style, the writing, the dialogue, the atmosphere, the vibe, how the gameplay never becomes boring because they innovate and add spice to the formula right when you think you've got it figured out.”
“The atmosphere, odd storytelling, and music just make this game a masterpiece.”
“The atmosphere of Arctic Eggs is fine-tuned enough to make you forget how absolutely deranged its premise is and actually elicits a sense of intrigue regarding the world.”
“The true heart of this game lies within the atmosphere, an impending sense of doom and despair.”
“Everything about the atmosphere and the story is surrealistic and weird.”
- story71 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as a surreal and art-house experience set in a collapsing society within the Arctic, blending unique atmosphere and philosophical dialogues with a cooking simulation mechanic. While some players found the narrative to be vague and lacking depth, others appreciated its quirky charm and the profound moments it offered, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy dissecting storytelling. Overall, the story is seen as a short but engaging backdrop that enhances the gameplay rather than serving as the main focus.
“The atmosphere, odd storytelling, and music just make this game a masterpiece.”
“A touching story about ambition.”
“Each dish prepared within this icy realm tells a story, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the Arctic.”
“There is a semblance of a story here, but it's just there to make the player move forward, not much else.”
“Arctic eggs is essentially a frying pan simulator with some plot attached.”
“Was looking more for a story.”
- emotional24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have found the game to be a deeply emotional experience, often describing it as funny, beautiful, and surprisingly touching, with some expressing that it made them cry or feel more connected to their cooking. The narrative, centered around ambition, resonates strongly, leaving many feeling profoundly moved and alive after playing. Despite some technical issues, the emotional impact of the game is consistently highlighted as a standout feature.
“A touching story about ambition.”
“Nice art style, made me cry at the end.”
“Simply the most incredible, and shockingly heartfelt and poignant game of our generation.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent freezing, particularly during gameplay and cooking challenges, which can last several seconds. Players report bugs that disrupt achievements and gameplay mechanics, such as items getting stuck together and disappearing, leading to frustrating experiences, especially when attempting to complete the game 100%. Overall, these stability problems detract from the overall enjoyment and functionality of the game.
“It completely freezes my GPU for about 5 to 10 seconds, and when it comes back, the video feed for the game is frozen, but audio and controls are still running in the background.”
“Although the game freezes the minute you enter gameplay.”
“Downside: still some bugs when I do cooking challenges with the ice cups; my game freezes.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game offers decent replayability through various difficulty levels and a sandbox mode, allowing players to enjoy the experience multiple times. While some reviewers noted the game's short length and high price, they appreciated its quality and the absence of grindy mechanics, suggesting that the replay value is solid if the gameplay resonates with the player. However, a desire for an endless mode was expressed, indicating room for improvement in replay options.
“It also has easy, normal, and hard difficulty as well as a sandbox mode for replayability.”
“It's got decent replayability, definitely worth more than 10 bucks for a one-of-a-kind game.”
“A tad bit too short, but for good reason - it doesn't need to be longer and I appreciate a game that embraces that instead of trying to force replayability with weird grindy mechanics.”
“It's got decent replayability, definitely worth more than 10 bucks for a one of a kind game.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a double-edged sword; while the physics-based challenges of tasks like frying eggs can be tedious and repetitive, they also contribute to a unique, immersive experience. The game is appreciated for its brevity, avoiding unnecessary grind to extend playtime, which some players see as a positive choice. Overall, the grinding can be both frustrating and oddly satisfying, depending on the player's perspective.
“It can get either really fun or really tedious when you constantly try to flip the egg, only for the egg to fall off the pan.”
“A tad bit too short, but for good reason - it doesn't need to be longer and I appreciate a game that embraces that instead of trying to force replayability with weird grindy mechanics.”
“Great atmosphere, cool vibe, slightly more interesting dialogue than the average indie game with semi-nonsensical dialogue, but the gameplay majorly takes away from my enjoyment. I want to explore this snowy dystopian city, but the game makes this frying so tedious and repetitive through its physics-based difficulty.”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a diverse cast of uniquely designed characters, each accompanied by engaging dialogue that explores themes of purpose and ambition. The combination of lo-fi graphics and a smooth jazz soundtrack enhances the overall experience, making character interactions both enjoyable and meaningful.
“Many fun characters to meet, unique character designs, and interesting written dialogue.”
“Gorgeous and crunchy lo-fi graphics guide you through the game's host of dreamy character designs, allowing for a rich exploration of purpose and ambition, all wrapped in a smooth soundtrack of jazz and chill beats.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect is primarily focused on promoting cooking at home, suggesting that the advertising strategy effectively encourages users to engage with home cooking, potentially leading to increased sales or subscriptions related to culinary products or services.
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized due to performance issues, particularly related to collision detection, which negatively impacts gameplay. While some players have completed achievements, these technical problems detract from the overall experience.
“Is it performance art at its finest?”
“Finished and did a few achievements, but I have to say that the sausage colliders or something is affecting the performance and it is causing issues while playing.”