Automaton Lung

About

"Automaton Lung" is an experimental third-person exploration game where players skate, shoot, and fly through over 40 unique locations. As you explore this strange land, you must be resourceful and questioning to uncover the mysteries of your surroundings. With each step, mile, and doorway, more secrets are revealed in this intriguing and atmospheric game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 95 reviews

music15 positive mentions

replayability1 negative mentions

The game features a unique and captivating atmosphere, enhanced by an excellent soundtrack that evokes nostalgia for retro gaming.
Exploration is a key element, with a variety of imaginative levels and movement options that encourage players to discover hidden secrets.
The minimalistic design and lack of explicit narrative allow players to immerse themselves in the world and create their own interpretations of the experience.

Gameplay can feel repetitive and simplistic, with some players finding the combat and level design lacking in depth and variety.
The controls can be finicky and may require a learning curve, which can be frustrating for some players.
The game's short length and minimal content may leave some players feeling that it doesn't justify its price, especially at full retail.

music
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
38%
10%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ethereal quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, evoking nostalgia for 90s gaming. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, perfectly complementing the game's visuals and environments, although some note occasional inconsistencies in the tracks. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the immersive experience, making it a key element of the game's charm.
- “I'm particularly a fan of how ethereal the overall soundtrack adds to this kind of sense of mystery as well.”
- “The atmosphere, level design, soundtrack, and overall vibes of Automaton Lung are like nothing else.”
- “The lighting, in particular, is fantastic--the dev did a great job of capturing this never-ending twilight that melds perfectly with the amazing soundtrack.”
- “The only real downside I had with the game was the inconsistent soundtrack.”
- “Music was serviceable for the game's aesthetic, but nothing noteworthy by itself.”
- “Right now I'd say its most compelling aspects are the surreal vistas and unusual music.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
25%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and surreal qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and intricate level design. Players describe it as a blend of eerie, liminal spaces reminiscent of forgotten 90s games, creating a compelling environment that encourages exploration. The low-fidelity graphics contribute to a dreamlike experience, making the game feel immersive and distinct, particularly in its recent PC release.
- “The atmosphere, level design, soundtrack, and overall vibes of Automaton Lung are like nothing else.”
- “Its abandoned world and open structure create a unique atmosphere that makes the player explore each level and building in search of meaning or something familiar, just to find weird creatures patrolling through ancient structures that seem to make no sense.”
- “The extremely low-fidelity graphics (made for the 3DS' 400x240 screen) give the game a very surreal atmosphere, working with the open-ended level design to make the game feel like you're always exploring out of bounds of a different game, with no plot or explicit end goal driving you forward, just your own sense of exploration.”
- “The atmosphere of its worlds was so dense I couldn't help but be sucked in; the world outside the game faded away as I ventured through a world reminiscent of the levels of empty multiplayer video games once filled with players.”
- “For me, the greatest strength of Automaton Lung is in that atmosphere, and that exploration.”
gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The gameplay is characterized as minimal and somewhat repetitive, yet it offers a unique blend of mechanics that encourage exploration and puzzle-solving. While some players find the controls and movement smooth despite a janky appearance, others appreciate the atmospheric levels and nostalgic charm reminiscent of older titles. Overall, it provides an intriguing experience for those seeking a simple, easy-to-pick-up game with a focus on environmental storytelling and hidden mechanics.
- “A really neat game that makes the most out of minimal gameplay design.”
- “Every one of these tools has several uses and hidden mechanics which you need to figure out.”
- “I highly suggest this if you enjoy easy to pick and play games with an old school style and unique gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is a little repetitive.”
- “The gameplay footage looks janky and clunky, but movement is actually surprisingly smooth.”
- “For sure an obscure game, giving any information on the gameplay would feel like spoiling it, so let's just say it's a janky collectathon with very simplistic combat set in a strange world with little to no story.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, featuring simplistic, low-fidelity visuals that create a surreal atmosphere reminiscent of early 3D titles from the N64 and PS1 eras. Players appreciate the unique art style and dreamy environments, which enhance the exploratory gameplay, while the recent PC release has improved visual clarity and performance, allowing the game's charm to shine even brighter. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's experimental and atmospheric experience, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics.
- “Nothing is explained; from the beginning, you're dropped right into this surreal, desolate world full of dreamy visuals, mysterious architecture, and seemingly abandoned buildings, monuments, and cities with the occasional angry critter or weird polygon thing to deal with as you collect what are presumably computer chips.”
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack, and environments all hit harder now that it has released on PC, and it now feels like a fully fledged experience, more than a novelty, where the art style can truly shine.”
- “The extremely low-fidelity graphics (made for the 3DS' 400x240 screen) give the game a very surreal atmosphere, working with the open-ended level design to make the game feel like you're always exploring out of bounds of a different game, with no plot or explicit end goal driving you forward, just your own sense of exploration.”
- “The graphical style is reminiscent of something from the N64 or PS1's libraries, but the scope of the game feels larger than what was typical of 3D titles back then.”
- “Gameplay is pretty simple and graphics are rudimentary, but that's part of the charm!”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's story is described as minimalistic and often forgettable, with many players noting the absence of a clear plot or explicit goals. Instead, it offers a surreal atmosphere and an open-ended exploration experience, where the enjoyment comes more from the journey and the music than from a cohesive narrative. Overall, the story is perceived as obscure and janky, contributing to a unique but vague gaming experience.
- “A bit like finding a forgotten, dying world to explore, or logging on to an old multiplayer game with no sign that anyone else has logged on in years and piecing together what's going on in the story.”
- “The extremely low-fidelity graphics (made for the 3DS' 400x240 screen) give the game a very surreal atmosphere, working with the open-ended level design to make the game feel like you're always exploring out of bounds of a different game, with no plot or explicit end goal driving you forward, just your own sense of exploration.”
- “The OST is amazing and the story is weird.”
- “The game is too minimalistic story-wise in my opinion, and that's why I forgot about it right after I finished it.”
- “The game has no story.”
- “For sure an obscure game, giving any information on the gameplay would feel like spoiling it, so let's just say it's a janky collectathon with very simplistic combat set in a strange world with little to no story.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the game's unique ambiance, blending a liminal space aesthetic with nostalgic elements reminiscent of forgotten 90s games, evoking strong feelings of nostalgia and emotional connection. This combination creates a distinctive atmosphere that resonates deeply with players, making them reflect on past gaming experiences.
- “They also had some of the best ambiance, combining a liminal space feel with the vibe of a forgotten 90s game to create an atmosphere that made me feel something truly unique.”
- “It's incredible how this game made me feel nostalgia for games I had not thought about for literal decades.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization as a PC port of a 3DS title, with users noting that it runs smoothly throughout.
- “This is a very good and optimized PC port of a 3DS game.”
- “The entire game runs smoothly.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is considered relatively short with limited replayability, making the sale price of $10 feel appropriate to many users.
- “It's relatively short and there isn't much replayability, so I'd say the sale price I got it at ($10) is totally fair.”