Estigma

About

Estigma is a single player casual puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by vikintor and was released on December 23, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"Estigma " is a revamped version of the classic 80's arcade game, combining elements of Q-bert and Pacman. Players navigate through levels, changing the color of tiles while avoiding enemies, in a nostalgic experience with updated graphics. The game features a new cover illustration by @LunaAyArts, offering a fresh look to the beloved retro classic.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 88 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

monetization3 negative mentions

The game features a captivating and immersive storyline with well-developed characters that evoke empathy.
The unique art style and atmospheric soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a memorable and engaging environment.
Gameplay is simple yet effective, with meaningful choices that lead to a non-linear and replayable experience.

Controls can be frustrating and are not customizable, which may hinder the gameplay experience for some players.
The game has a time limit for puzzles, which can lead to a panic-inducing experience rather than a strategic one.
Some players found the visuals and music to be overwhelming or unpleasant, detracting from their enjoyment of the game.

graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinctive retro pixel art style, featuring a vibrant mix of red and orange that some players find beautifully imaginative and unique. While the visuals are praised for their creativity and aesthetic appeal, others criticize the low-quality graphics and lack of customization options, leading to mixed feelings about their overall impact on gameplay. Despite these criticisms, many players appreciate the game's creepy and demented visuals, which contribute to a memorable audiovisual experience.
- “Absolutely beautifully demented visuals and soundtrack, but not the type of puzzle game that I enjoy.”
- “Amazing visuals and tone.”
- “A short & sweet experience, offering a fun take on the classical Q*bert formula but also boasting an incredible audiovisual aesthetic.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “There's no options to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
- “The puzzles are grueling, the graphics difficult to look at, the sounds agitating - by the end one's sensory apparatus feels compressed and fuzzy.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and a frantic pace, appealing to fans of titles like Pacman and Meatboy. While it offers a fun experience with a good learning curve and impressive visuals, some players find the controls challenging and the overall gameplay lacking depth. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some enjoying the simplicity and others feeling frustrated by control issues.
- “A puzzle with simple mechanics, but a frantic pace and a great learning curve.”
- “Very cool art direction and art style, the gameplay is simple and fun; it was a great experience thanks to the visual stimulation.”
- “Good gameplay (controls are a little hard to maneuver at first, but the game is more than manageable if you don't try to go fast 100% of the time).”
- “It also has difficult but low skill gameplay.”
- “This game sucks at controls more than gameplay, and you cannot change your controls in the settings, but at the same time, this game does look nice.”
- “However, the gameplay is more annoying than anything else.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
12%
38%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its thematic and eerie qualities that enhance the atmosphere, while others find it annoying and overwhelming. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its artistic merit, but it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer a different style of gameplay.
- “Really cool art style, soundtrack, and concept.”
- “- Thematic sound effects and music.”
- “The music was good at giving off that eerie/off-putting vibe.”
- “The music and style of the game gave me a mild headache, and I don't care for the type of game that it is.”
- “Music: annoying.”
- “Music is annoying, haha. The gameplay is so good, and I like the graphics.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be heartwarming, evoking strong feelings of joy and connection through its storytelling and character development. The emotional depth resonates with many, creating memorable and impactful experiences.
- “The story left me feeling heartwarming emotions that lingered long after I finished the game.”
- “I was deeply moved by the characters' journeys; their struggles and triumphs resonated with me on a personal level.”
- “The emotional depth of the narrative made me reflect on my own life experiences, creating a powerful connection.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's monetization model is described as "free," which contrasts with the typical cash grab nature of many titles made with Gamemaker Studio. Despite its retro pixel aesthetic, it avoids the pitfalls of being a mere cash grab, leading to a surprisingly engaging experience that some players find almost spiritually compelling.
- “Gamemaker Studio is often used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs, although that's not the case here as the game is 'free'.”
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “I appreciate free-to-play games, but this one pushes you to spend at every turn, which ruins the experience.”