Disorder
- January 12, 2015
- Swagabyte Games
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Disorder" is a single-player platformer game with a beautiful story and immersive game mechanics. Explore surreal pixel-art landscapes in a distressed mind's duality, where you can switch between light and dark worlds to overcome obstacles. Dive into an unsettling, humanizing experience with intriguing and ambiguous psychotic atmosphere, and find answers to the mysteries of this cold world. Key features include 2D world-switching action, immersive sounds, and striking music tracks.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and emotional narrative that explores themes of mental illness and grief, providing a thought-provoking experience.
- The platforming mechanics, including the light and dark world-switching, add an interesting layer to the gameplay, making it engaging and challenging.
- The pixel art style and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to a haunting and immersive experience that enhances the overall mood of the game.
- The game is plagued by technical issues, including frequent glitches, crashes, and a frustrating save system that can erase progress.
- Level design can be confusing and frustrating, with some areas being pitch black and requiring tedious navigation, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The story is often vague and poorly executed, making it difficult for players to connect with the protagonist or understand the narrative's depth.
- story52 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its emotional depth and unique approach to dark themes like loss and mental illness, while others criticize it for being vague, poorly executed, and overshadowed by frustrating gameplay. While some found the narrative engaging and impactful, many felt it lacked coherence and substantial character development, making it difficult to connect with the story amidst the platforming challenges. Overall, the story's effectiveness seems to depend heavily on individual player tolerance for its heavy themes and the integration of narrative within the gameplay.
“Disorder has an emotional story to tell, that is portrayed well throughout the levels.”
“The developers surely didn't lie about this game making you feel down, with the music and the story, not to mention the fact that it gets damn tough towards the end.”
“The joining of a platformer and story was done very well.”
“The dark story of loss and mental illness cannot hide the fact that this is a poorly executed little platformer with muddy controls.”
“The story is vague and missing details that would give it context, intrigue, or tension.”
“There is a complete lack of any substantial narrative structure or characterization of the main character or anything that would make me interested in the story.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring solid controls and engaging mechanics that incorporate a unique world-switching element reminiscent of other platformers. While the core mechanics are enjoyable and offer a fresh take on the genre, issues such as technical glitches, a lackluster story, and slow movement detract from the overall experience. The game includes multiple levels, hidden items, and gameplay modifiers, but some players feel it could benefit from additional content and refinement.
“This game uses a switching mechanic similar to Mighty Switch Force and Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams.”
“Gameplay is what you would expect from a platformer with good controls but has puzzle elements and ways to shift between different dimensions, which you will do often.”
“Disorder is a great platformer with simple, yet entertaining mechanics and a ton of other original ideas.”
“While it has functional gameplay, it has a major technical issue, a poor options menu, is short, and has a terribly uninteresting and vague story.”
“Also, the transitions between the two modes had a glitchy effect, which was just very distracting after a while and affected gameplay too much, causing me to die various times.”
“I think that they could have developed movement animations as the slowness of it also affected the gameplay, particularly in the parts where you have to be quite quick.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature 2D pixel art that evokes a retro aesthetic, appealing to fans of the genre. While some reviewers find the visuals reminiscent of cheaper indie games, others appreciate the detailed animations and atmospheric design that enhance the overall experience. The combination of pixel art, haunting music, and sound effects effectively contributes to the game's dark and immersive setting.
“At first I thought this seemed like an interesting platformer with pixelated graphics, so I bought it instantly on sale and omg... what an experience so far!”
“I love the graphics and sound and gameplay.”
“The graphics are 2D pixel art with particular attention to detail, and I love the use of different palettes for the two realms.”
“The platforming's nothing that hasn't been done in dozens of cheap flash games, the aesthetic's been done just as well in dozens of cheaper indie games, and the story and atmosphere have a few interesting bits, but generally bring nothing new to the table.”
“Graphics - simple.”
“Even with this pixel art style, I found the gestures and animations of the protagonist very powerful, and I never quite got used to seeing the young man die.”
- music13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and seamless transitions between ethereal melodies and distorted sounds, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, leading to a loss of interest. Overall, the music is considered a strong element that complements the game's narrative and visuals effectively.
“The music is really the high point here - the seamless transitions between ethereal, floating melodies and grating, distorted noise are really well done.”
“The music is another great addition, and provides the perfect atmosphere throughout the game.”
“The creative narrative, atmospheric music, and color palette really put me into the character's shoes.”
“I thought the music was quite charming when in the light, but it felt like it was either the same or very similar pieces of music throughout the entirety of the game, meaning that I lost interest in the music over time.”
“The developers surely didn't lie about this game making you feel down, with the music and the story, not to mention the fact that it gets damn tough towards the end.”
“The music and sound effects are haunting and help to nail the graphics into your subconscious.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is predominantly described as creepy and dark, effectively enhanced by its graphics, music, and narrative elements. While some reviewers note that the overall aesthetic and platforming mechanics are not particularly innovative, the combination of these elements successfully immerses players in a haunting experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The music is another great addition, and provides the perfect atmosphere throughout the game.”
“Disorder is a creepy atmospheric platformer the like of which I've not come across before.”
“I'd like to address quickly the supposedly creepy atmosphere this game has.”
“The graphics also sell the dark atmosphere and sad setting.”
“It tries very hard to keep a dark, gloomy atmosphere.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers an unexpectedly deep emotional experience, often surprising players within its genre. While the emotional narrative is compelling, it can be challenging to fully engage with it during gameplay, leading to an emotionally draining experience. Overall, the story is effectively conveyed through the levels, enhancing the emotional impact.
“The kind of emotional ride that you don't usually expect to find in this genre.”
“If you get into it, you'll find a deep and emotional experience that will leave you feeling *things*.”
“Disorder has an emotional story to tell, that is portrayed well throughout the levels.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with players reporting multiple game-breaking glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as the inability to pause and inconsistent world mechanics. While the premise is intriguing, the frequent bugs lead to frustration rather than the intended contemplative experience.
“An interesting premise and theme, but quickly that veneer slips away and you realize this is a clumsy and buggy puzzle platformer which primarily invokes frustration as opposed to being the contemplative experience it was perhaps intending for.”
“Game breaking glitches.”
“Yeah, that was a glitch, and then it threw presumably two more glitches at me with the next level, where it no longer let me pause, and it also stopped changing how the world would act if I shifted in order to get around.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, though it can be enhanced by finding trinkets and engaging with extras, hidden items, and a timed mode for competitive players. While some users noted the game's short length, these additional features provide opportunities for replay value and challenge.
“Finding and using these trinkets adds more replay value and challenge to the game.”
“Good replay value.”
“The game's replayability is low.”
“My only complaint was that it was kind of short, but there are some extras and hidden items, and even a timed mode for those who are competitive that will add more to the replay value.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, likening it to a laborious reading experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.
“It's like a never-ending chore that takes away from the fun.”
“The grinding feels more like a punishment than a reward.”
“I spend more time grinding than actually enjoying the game.”
