Cartesian

About

Cartesian is a single player platformer game. It was developed by Mark Radocy and was released on September 27, 2015. It received very positive reviews from players.

Cartesian is a unique puzzle-platformer with lasers as its core mechanic. Use lasers to reflect, push, destroy, and more as you search for your lost crew-mates. Dozens of interesting mechanics are introduced through over 70 varied levels.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

story2 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Engaging and progressively challenging puzzle design with unique laser mechanics.
Minimalist, retro-style graphics combined with intuitive controls and satisfying gameplay.
Good length and variety for a free indie puzzle-platformer, offering a rewarding experience.

Lack of customizable settings such as volume sliders and resolution options.
Some levels can feel unfair or frustrating due to character control and camera issues.
Repetitive music and occasional clumsy menu/navigation controls reduce overall polish.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay features simple yet engaging mechanics with progressively challenging puzzles that effectively teach new concepts. Unique elements like laser mechanics add depth, making the experience fun and rewarding without feeling unfair. Overall, it is considered one of the best free 2D puzzle games with a well-paced difficulty curve and an interesting storyline.
- “Simple mechanics with fun puzzles and challenges.”
- “So, before I start, I'll just say this is one of the best free 2D puzzle games I've played on Steam so far, when it comes to game mechanics.”
- “So, before I start I'll just say this is one of the best free 2D puzzle games I've played on Steam so far, when it comes to game mechanics.”
- “Cartesian succeeds at teaching you every mechanic, introducing them in the levels and making them harder.”
- “It seems like a small, crappy game at first, but more and more mechanics get added that make this game really fun.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story is generally considered engaging and interesting, with some users finding it neat though not particularly remarkable. Overall, it adds a solid narrative layer complemented by unique gameplay mechanics.
- “The laser mechanics are fun and unique, and the storyline itself is engaging and interesting.”
- “Also, the story isn't anything special, but it's still neat.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The graphics are generally viewed as unimpressive and lacking quality, with no resolution options available, contributing to a poor overall visual experience.
- “With poor graphics, no resolution options to speak of, and also lacking volume sliders, this game did everything to get off on a bad footing with me.”
- “Looking at the art style, it didn't seem to be anything extraordinary.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music features a calming soundtrack that enhances the experience, though some users find it becomes repetitive and contributes to boredom over time.
- “I did find myself getting bored with most levels and the music getting repetitive.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding requires additional lives or resources, making it a potentially time-consuming process.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor has a strong foundation and potential, but technical issues detract from the overall comedic experience. Fixing these flaws could make it a genuinely funny and enjoyable game.