Bliss
- December 8, 2014
- Oruji Productions
- 8h median play time
Get on SteamIn Bliss you are a shadow trapped in a strange world constructed from someone's memories. The world is infected with dark creatures that you have to remove before you can proceed. To your disposal you have a boomerang and a stopwatch that can freeze time.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique art style and a touching storyline that resonates with players.
- The music is well-composed and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
- It offers a blend of platforming and puzzle-solving that can be engaging for those who enjoy challenging gameplay.
- The gameplay can be frustrating due to imprecise controls and pixel-perfect timing requirements.
- There is a lack of settings and options, such as fullscreen support, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The difficulty spikes significantly after the first level, which may alienate casual players.
- gameplay32 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Bliss" is a mixed bag, featuring novel mouse-based control mechanics that introduce a unique but "floaty" jumping experience, which some players may find frustrating. While the game emphasizes precision platforming and puzzle-solving across various scenes, the unconventional controls can detract from the overall enjoyment, making it a polarizing experience for players. Despite its challenges, many appreciate the clever level design and engaging mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh.
“In fact, given the novel control mechanics it introduces, it's possible that the 'floaty' jumps are a necessary evil.”
“While the vast majority of the levels and bosses in the game require moderate to high precision platforming, it's not just about the action; the gameplay is broken up into 'scenes' which usually require some amount of puzzle-solving.”
“Some really smart puzzle mechanics and level design, and it never felt like repetition.”
“The wonder this makes is cut off, however, by the gameplay.”
“Bliss is the opposite: I can't respect the gameplay of a precision platformer where you float in the air like a balloon when you jump, and slip off the edges of platforms... but somehow I like it anyway.”
“The screenshots basically summarize the entire game, save for the frustrating gameplay.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it touching and a fitting representation of the five stages of grief, others describe it as repetitive and only mildly relaxing. Despite the varied opinions, many agree that the soundtrack is worth listening to outside of the game, with some recommending it for its calming qualities. Overall, the music stands out as a highlight, even if the gameplay itself is criticized.
“I think it was great, the music was great, and it definitely touched me.”
“Great music, relaxing to play, I would recommend it; it's different and calm to play.”
“The music is repetitive and only mildly relaxing, the graphics look like a bad Newgrounds entry, while the puzzles are all incredibly easy to figure out but enhanced by tons of fake difficulty to waste your time until the next one.”
“Listen to the soundtrack on SoundCloud because it's actually pretty good, but don't bother playing the game.”
“It's a musical/visual representation of the 5 stages of grief.”
- story6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as touching and reflective, intertwining personal themes of future aspirations and past grief, enhanced by beautiful art styles that vary across levels. Players appreciate how the narrative resonates on a personal level, contributing to an immersive experience.
“It has a touching story narrating my own future in a few years as well as reminding me of past grief in 2011.”
“The ambience and art in the game is beautiful and I loved the story.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are criticized for resembling low-quality Newgrounds entries, lacking polish and sophistication. While the art styles reflect the game's undertone storyline, they do not elevate the overall visual experience, which is deemed underwhelming.
“The undertone storyline is beautifully reflected in the levels' different art styles.”
“The undertone storyline is beautifully reflected in the levels' different art styles.”
“The graphics look like a bad Newgrounds entry, while the puzzles are all incredibly easy to figure out but enhanced by tons of fake difficulty to waste your time until the next one.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users find that the controls in "Bliss" are stable and function as intended by the developer, though some disagree with the design choices made. There are no reports of bugs or coding issues affecting stability.
“To be clear: the controls in Bliss don't appear to be buggy or poorly coded; I believe that they are responding exactly the way the developer intended, I just don't agree with his design decisions.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a deeply emotional narrative that resonates with players by reflecting on personal futures and evoking memories of past grief, creating a poignant connection to their own experiences.
“It has a touching story that narrates my own future in a few years while also reminding me of past grief in 2011.”
