Circuits

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"Circuits" is a single-player musical puzzle game with good mechanics and spectacular graphics, known for its exceptional soundtrack and grinding nature. An upcoming update, "Circuits Composer," will allow players to create and share their own songs through the Steam Workshop. The game is set to become more expensive after the update, which will introduce a level editor for user-generated content.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 671 reviews

music300 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

Circuits offers a unique and relaxing puzzle experience that challenges players' musical listening skills.
The soundtrack is beautifully composed, providing an enjoyable auditory experience throughout the game.
The minimalist design and intuitive interface enhance the overall gameplay, making it accessible and engaging.

The game is relatively short, with only 25 levels, which may leave players wanting more content.
Some levels can become frustrating due to the difficulty of distinguishing between similar sound samples.
The gameplay can feel repetitive, as players often have to listen to the same short clips multiple times to find the correct placement.

music
1,030 mentions
29 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Circuits" has received a mixed reception, with many players praising its beautiful and atmospheric compositions, which blend electronic, ambient, and orchestral elements. While some find the gameplay engaging and a good exercise for musical ear training, others criticize the repetitive nature of the puzzles and the limited variety in the soundtrack. Overall, the game is recommended for music enthusiasts who appreciate the challenge of reconstructing songs, but it may not appeal to those who prefer more dynamic or varied musical experiences.
- “As for gameplay, players reassemble a song -- jigsaw puzzle style -- from samples that come in up to three groups per level: vocals, drums, melody, chorus, etc. Song genres are mixed, with themes of electronic, house, and romantic piano.”
- “Circuits is a music-based puzzle game with a great soundtrack full of synths and piano.”
- “The music is amazing, and pretty catchy, though it can get annoying at times due to having to relisten to it over and over in order to solve a puzzle.”
- “The music is... well... average.”
- “It's an exercise in tedium and the fact that the music (which you have to sometimes repeatedly loop for reference) is so sterile and bland makes this impossible to latch onto.”
- “The music feels pretty generic, and I did not enjoy it personally.”
gameplay
104 mentions
33 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around reconstructing songs from audio samples in a jigsaw puzzle format, with mechanics introduced gradually to ease players into the experience. While some players appreciate the innovative approach and relaxing nature of the game, others find it repetitive and lacking in depth, with certain mechanics becoming tedious over time. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of music and puzzle-solving, appealing primarily to those with an interest in music creation.
- “As for gameplay, players reassemble a song -- jigsaw puzzle style -- from samples that come in up to three groups per level: vocals, drums, melody, chorus, etc. Song genres are mixed, with themes of electronic, house, and romantic piano.”
- “The gameplay is about first listening to a track as it should sound, and then reconstructing it using sound bites that you place on the 'circuit' in order to finish and play the track.”
- “The gameplay is fluid and really challenging at some points :)”
- “The music in this game is boring, but more importantly, its structureless nature completely ruins the gameplay.”
- “Slowly got a bit more interesting, then they introduced the loops portion of the gameplay and that's where the game completely broke down from a musical puzzle to a frustrating chore.”
- “The gameplay is often slow, and the controls feel awkward.”
graphics
48 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as minimalistic yet polished, effectively complementing the audio experience. Users appreciate the clean visuals and thoughtful use of color, which enhance the overall aesthetic without being graphically demanding. While some find the simplicity charming, others feel it may not be engaging enough for all players, particularly given the game's reliance on its soundtrack.
- “The graphics have an attractive polished style.”
- “The game has a wonderful aesthetic, beautifully composed tracks, and enough of a challenge to keep most people busy for several zen hours of entertainment.”
- “The graphics are minimalist and easy on the eye.”
- “Hazy graphics and floaty synthesizer music further mess up your brain while playing this.”
- “Although I bought it during the sale, I feel it should be only worth about $1 (sale price) because it's a simple single-player puzzle game, with no other gameplay or intense graphics.”
- “There’s really not a lot to comment on here because it’s not a graphically demanding game nor is there any reason to really play around with any of the settings.”
grinding
16 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the lack of challenge and creativity. Many found the gameplay to be a slog, characterized by monotonous tasks and a soundtrack that failed to engage, leading to boredom and a lack of incentive to continue. Overall, the grinding experience detracted significantly from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.
- “This is supposed to be some kind of relaxing, meditative game based on the visuals... but you spend most of your time replaying the same piece of ear-bleeding, grinding, unmelodic noise you've ever experienced, trying to distinguish between two near-identical pieces of 'music'.”
- “The puzzle aspect is almost non-existent: it's repetitive and tedious, rather than challenging.”
- “The game is not long; I have gone under an hour and completed about 60-75 percent of the game, and I cannot bring myself to finish it because the gameplay is so tedious.”
replayability
16 mentions
19 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
31 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many players noting that once the levels are completed, there is little incentive to return. While some appreciate the music and design, the lack of community-made content and repetitive gameplay contribute to a consensus that the game offers minimal replay value. Players suggest that it may be worth purchasing for its low price, but caution that it is a short experience with little to draw them back in after completion.
- “Initially, I didn't think this game would have any real replay value until I saw the circuits composer (which I have yet to try).”
- “I personally gifted this game to several people; all of them were happy with the game and liked it for the design, the sound, and the great replayability... plus the added bonus that now is coming with the game.”
- “The replayability lies mostly in wanting to hear the short songs again, but the game is still fun and rewarding.”
- “No real replay value other than music.”
- “Not much replay value as the levels are all exactly the same; maybe get it on sale.”
- “I blew through all the levels in my first playthrough and it offers zero replayability.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
55 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a relaxing and surrealistic ambiance, enhanced by a well-crafted soundtrack that blends orchestral and electronic elements. Players appreciate the calming, easy-listening music that complements the puzzle-solving experience, creating a serene environment that stands in contrast to more intense multiplayer games. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and enjoyable, making it a key highlight of the gameplay experience.
- “There is a sense of mystery to this game, an eerie surrealistic atmosphere with a glimmer of cyberpunk flavor in fancy lights and well contrasting colors.”
- “Given that it's a music-based game, having a solid soundtrack is important - thankfully, Circuits delivers on that front with a well-made relaxing atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “The atmosphere this game offers is simply incredible and can only be explained by letting someone actually play it.”
- “There is a sense of mystery to this game, an eerie surrealistic atmosphere with a glimmer of cyberpunk flavor in fancy lights and well-contrasting colors.”
- “Surprisingly enough, the game has quite an atmosphere, with the soundtrack being an amalgam of orchestral (strings, piano, brass, and even a flute solo in one level) and electronic drums and synthesizers.”
- “This calm atmosphere is further evident in the resulting pieces that are formed; one would indubitably not consider them intense pieces like dubstep or hardstyle tracks, but rather easy-listening and occasionally 'trippy.' As a result, the game is relaxing to play, and is a great change of pace to fast-paced multiplayer games like 'Counter-Strike: Global Offensive' and 'League of Legends.'”
story
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game lacks a narrative component, with users noting the absence of a story mode, which they believe could enhance the overall experience. Instead, gameplay focuses solely on recreating musical tracks without any contextual storyline.
- “The story mode adds depth and immersion, making the gameplay experience much more engaging.”
- “Each level features a unique song, and your mission is to piece together the elements to recreate the track.”
- “The narrative is captivating, with well-developed characters that draw you into their world.”
- “Oh yeah, no storyline.”
- “No story.”
- “The game has no story.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the reviews is subtle and often intertwined with the music experience, with some users finding joy and amusement in the nuances of sound. One reviewer highlights a lighthearted interaction involving a child's laughter, suggesting that humor can emerge naturally in the context of enjoying the game. Overall, while not the primary focus, humor is present and adds to the enjoyment of the experience.
- “Good sounds as I like, and even some humor.”
- “"mister," the little girl said, still laughing.”
- “"that's really funny."”
stability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits several stability issues, particularly in the music creation editor and controls, which users find buggy. Additionally, some levels experience glitches, and audio clarity can be inconsistent when previewing tracks. Despite these problems, players still find the game enjoyable and relaxing.
- “The editor is buggy.”
- “A little buggy on the music creation side, but still a good and relaxing game.”
- “At least one level is buggy when scrubbing with a filter applied, and it's sometimes difficult to hear the sounds when listening to the example track.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be deeply emotional and touching, often evoking strong feelings and personal connections through its narrative and mechanics. The ability to engage with the game in a practice mode enhances this emotional experience, allowing for a more profound interaction with the content.
- “Got me emotional.”
- “Touching.”
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, providing a smooth experience without performance issues or crashes, which enhances the overall enjoyment and learning process in musical composition.
- “I didn’t experience any performance problems or crashing during my time with Circuits.”
- “This game, true to its word, gives valuable insight to the layering process that goes on in musical composition (and even some live performances), and quite frankly, has made me a little less shy about composing my own stuff.”