Arctic Eggs
- May 16, 2024
- The Water Museum
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Arctic Eggs" is a Sci-Fi Cooking game where you play as a poultry peddler stranded in Antarctica, seeking a way out. Despite the illegality of your eggs, you cook them for the hungry, engaging in a unique blend of survival and cooking gameplay. With a quirky storyline and strategic cooking mechanics, "Arctic Eggs" offers an unforgettable experience in a frostbitten setting.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Unique and engaging gameplay that combines cooking with quirky physics mechanics.
- Fantastic art style and soundtrack that create an immersive atmosphere.
- Humorous and thought-provoking dialogue that adds depth to the experience.
- Frustrating controls and physics can lead to moments of annoyance during gameplay.
- Short playtime may leave some players wanting more content.
- Some players may find the surreal and absurdist humor not to their taste.
- gameplay304 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Arctic Eggs" is centered around a unique and challenging physics-based cooking mechanic, primarily involving flipping various ingredients in a frying pan. While many players find the core mechanics engaging and rewarding, others describe them as frustrating and repetitive, with the overall experience heavily influenced by the game's quirky atmosphere, humor, and music. The game effectively combines simple mechanics with a variety of challenges, making it a distinctive indie title that may not appeal to everyone but offers a memorable experience for those who enjoy its style.
“The gameplay is fun, with different items presenting unique challenges that kept things interesting.”
“The main gameplay mechanic of flipping the food (and other things) in the pan is simple but satisfying, and the dreamlike unreality of the setting is so intriguing.”
“The frying mechanic is legitimately great, I hope the devs make a (low poly weird story-driven) cooking simulator someday.”
“The main mechanic of the game is tedious, frustrating, and just plain un-fun.”
“The game recycles the same mechanic over and over again and it just becomes a chore you have to complete so you can continue through the game.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay is really repetitive and clunky, the pacing can be unbearably slow, and the writing is borderline nonsensical; at least for my taste.”
- music186 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's diverse styles, including ambient, jazz, and lo-fi elements, which perfectly complement the game's quirky visuals and gameplay mechanics. Many players describe the music as immersive and integral to the game's atmosphere, often noting that it elevates the experience and keeps them engaged throughout.
“The soundtrack is the cherry on top of this experience -- phenomenal ambient music helps make the game what it is.”
“The music and sound design are amazing in this game, perfectly complementing the gameplay without being overwhelming or overstaying their welcome.”
“The soundtrack behind all of this is shockingly good; with subtle synth beats mixed in with jazz and orchestra, all giving an indescribable feel of mystery to it all.”
“The soundtrack is a bit somber, kinda like Cowboy Bebop in a way, and it adds to the world-building; makes me feel like a little bastion of warmth among the cold, a little glimmer of peace for everyone you serve.”
“The soundtrack is really what ties it all together.”
“The music and art create an atmosphere that elevates the experience to something comfortably meditative.”
- humor126 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -2 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity, clever writing, and engaging dialogue, often blending silliness with deeper philosophical themes. Players appreciate the quirky interactions with NPCs, which provide both genuine laughs and thought-provoking moments, although some humor may fall flat or feel overly bizarre at times. Overall, the game is described as a unique and entertaining experience that successfully combines humor with its gameplay mechanics and artistic style.
“While the story takes a backseat, it does enough to support the chaotic gameplay mechanics that makes the game 'shine.' Additionally, I enjoyed talking to the NPCs and learning about their eccentric thoughts and opinions within this future inhabited Antarctica, and how sometimes their brief dialogue was not only genuinely humorous, but also interesting.”
“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.”
“Every single NPC in this game acts the same, saying something weird that is supposed to be funny or deeply thoughtful, but it only works half the time. The other half, it just falls flat or makes no sense.”
“The humor in this game feels forced and repetitive, lacking the cleverness that would make it truly enjoyable.”
“I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal, often relying on clichés that fail to elicit any real laughter.”
- graphics106 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique and nostalgic art style, reminiscent of PS1-era visuals, which effectively complement the game's quirky atmosphere and engaging narrative. Players appreciate the combination of retro aesthetics with modern design elements, creating a charming and immersive experience that enhances the overall gameplay. While some critiques mention the dated appearance, the visuals are often described as beautiful, surreal, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the indie gaming scene.
“The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack, oooh the soundtrack is just amazing.”
“Set in a vibrant, frost-kissed world, the game transcends conventional cooking simulations by incorporating intricate storytelling, stunningly detailed graphics, and a dynamic weather system that impacts your culinary endeavors.”
“The atmosphere, soundtrack, and art style give this game a unique feel unlike any other.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“Although the graphics look dated, it manages to retain its charm.”
“Wouldn't normally be an issue but the graphics of the game are nothing to call home about.”
- atmosphere91 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of surrealism, vibrant art style, and captivating sound design, creating an immersive experience that draws players in. Many reviewers highlight the intriguing world-building and quirky dialogue, which enhance the overall ambiance, making it feel both charming and thought-provoking. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the atmospheric elements are consistently described as the standout feature, leaving a lasting impression on players.
“What at first appears to be a cold, almost greyscale atmosphere, actually goes on to have a beautiful contrast of colors and purposeful lighting, which cemented my personal intrigue very early.”
“The atmosphere is so thick you can feel it when playing.”
“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 true heart of this game lies within the atmosphere, an impending sense of doom and despair.”
“The atmosphere is strangely captivating, and the quirky, down-to-earth characters fit perfectly into the dystopian, vaguely Slavic setting of two snowy high-rises.”
“The atmosphere, odd storytelling, and music just make this game a masterpiece.”
- story79 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Arctic Eggs" is described as quirky and surreal, often taking a backseat to gameplay, yet it provides an engaging backdrop filled with eccentric NPCs and humorous dialogue. While some players appreciate the unique atmosphere and world-building, others criticize the narrative for being vague and lacking depth, with many feeling it serves primarily as a vehicle for the gameplay rather than a compelling tale. Overall, the game offers a mix of absurdity and charm, appealing to those who enjoy exploring its oddities rather than seeking a traditional story.
“The story brought a tear to my eye and left me speechless.”
“I don't want to say much about the game's themes and story beats, but they were super interesting and thought-provoking, and it made me actively seek out every NPC I saw, which I only do with games that truly engage me with the world and what the game is trying to say.”
“The atmosphere, odd storytelling, and music just make this game a masterpiece.”
“There isn't even really a story to follow; the game (including the ending) leaves way too much up to interpretation, so much so that it doesn't really even have a point at all.”
“The pacing is incredibly slow; I wouldn't even call it a slow burn story because, well, there is nothing burning, it's just a slow journey to a dissatisfying end.”
“Overall story 4/10; there really isn't one.”
- emotional17 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have found the game to be unexpectedly emotional, often experiencing a mix of laughter and tears throughout their gameplay. Many describe it as a heartfelt and poignant experience, with moments that resonate deeply, making them feel alive and connected. The game's ability to evoke strong emotions, despite its lighthearted premise, has led to it being recommended as a unique and touching journey.
“I'd recommend it anytime as a lighthearted yet thoughtful change of pace from your usual games, surprisingly emotional trip.”
“Within the first 15 minutes, the game had made me laugh out loud and nearly made me cry.”
“Simply the most incredible, and shockingly heartfelt and poignant game of our generation.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, detracting from the overall enjoyment and exploration of the environment. While some players appreciate the unique atmosphere and dialogue, the repetitive mechanics, particularly related to the physics-based challenges, often lead to a mind-numbing experience. Overall, the game is seen as too reliant on grinding, which can overshadow its more enjoyable elements.
“The main mechanic of the game is tedious, frustrating, and just plain un-fun.”
“Tedious mechanics and lack of a compelling story make for a frustrating experience.”
“The gameplay majorly takes away from my enjoyment; the game makes frying so tedious and repetitive through its physics-based difficulty.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game offers decent replayability through its easy, normal, and hard difficulty levels, as well as a sandbox mode, which enhances the overall experience. However, some players feel it lacks the strategic depth and variety found in similar titles, and there are calls for additional modes, like an endless option, to further boost replay value. Despite its short length, many appreciate the game's design choices that prioritize quality over unnecessary grind.
“It also has easy, normal, and hard difficulty as well as a sandbox mode for replayability.”
“The replayability on hard is great, so it's definitely worth the €9.75.”
“It's got decent replayability; definitely worth more than 10 bucks for a one-of-a-kind game.”
“The cooking gimmick can be fun - but it is limited and lacking strategic depth and replayability compared to Slay the Spire.”
“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.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is severely compromised, with numerous reports of buggy physics, frequent freezes, and unresponsive controls during gameplay. Players have experienced issues such as disappearing items, inability to change screen resolution, and persistent bugs that hinder achievement unlocking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Overall, the stability problems significantly detract from the enjoyment and functionality of the game.
“Very often the items get into each other during cooking and it's not possible to do anything unless flipping hard and fail. My frying pan disappeared once for no reason, the screen resolution cannot be changed, and the dialogues are buggy.”
“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.”
- character development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with comparisons to renowned authors like Tolkien and Martin, showcasing deep, engaging narratives and unique character designs. The immersive environment and well-crafted dialogue enhance the experience, allowing players to connect with a diverse cast of characters while exploring themes of purpose and ambition. Overall, the combination of superb world-building and a captivating soundtrack further enriches the character-driven storytelling.
“The character development is on par with the likes of Tolkien, Sanderson, Martin, and Rothfuss.”
“Many fun characters to meet, unique character designs, and interestingly written dialogue.”
“Gorgeous and crunchy lo-fi graphics guide you through the game's host of dreamy character designs, allowing for deep conversations about purpose and ambition.”
“The character development is shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, leaving me feeling detached from their journeys.”
“The dialogue feels forced and doesn't contribute to meaningful character growth, which is disappointing.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is inconsistent, with reports of low frame rates in the main menu and initial areas, while it performs well on the Steam Deck. Players recommend using a mouse over a controller for better performance, but some issues, such as problematic colliders, can hinder the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many still find it worth purchasing, especially on sale.
“It's worth the purchase, even more so on sale; and it plays great on Steam Deck as it's very well optimized, perfect for playing under the covers during a cold night.”
“Tips: don't play this with a controller; it is better optimized for a mouse.”
“Though the game's performance is really wacky, the main menu and first room max out my GPU with 35-40 fps.”
“Though the game's performance is really wacky, the main menu and first room max out my GPU with 35-40 FPS.”
“Tips: Don't play this with a controller; it is better optimized for a mouse.”
“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.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is effectively supported by a strong advertising campaign that promotes cooking at home, suggesting a focus on engaging users through appealing marketing rather than aggressive in-game purchases.
