Etherborn

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful and calming art style, vibrant colors, and atmospheric visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players criticize the low-polygon aesthetic as simplistic or lazy, arguing that it detracts from the overall immersion. Despite these criticisms, the visuals are often described as captivating and integral to the game's meditative quality, making it appealing to fans of unique artistic styles.

The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its relaxing and atmospheric qualities that complement the visuals. The soundtrack is described as fantastic, with a blend of ambient and orchestral elements that create a meditative journey, although some find it repetitive. Overall, the combination of soothing music and striking art style contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for players.

The gameplay of Etherborn is centered around a unique gravity-shifting mechanic that allows players to navigate beautifully designed levels and solve puzzles. While the core concept is engaging and visually stunning, many players find the level design can become frustrating, with some criticizing the lack of new mechanics and the tediousness of certain gameplay elements. Overall, the game offers a solid puzzle experience but may leave some players wanting more depth and variety.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, ethereal art style, and an atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience. Players appreciate the serene and beautiful ambiance, which complements the engaging puzzle mechanics, although some feel the narrative does not fully support the atmospheric depth. Overall, the game is described as a captivating experience that prioritizes atmosphere, making it a standout feature despite its simplicity.

Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, with slow movement and poorly designed mechanics contributing to a lack of enjoyment. Many reviews highlight that the game requires significant time investment for achievements and navigating levels, which detracts from the overall experience. The combination of slow pacing, imprecise controls, and repetitive tasks makes the gameplay feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge.

Players highlight the game's emotional depth, noting that the atmospheric soundtrack significantly enhances the overall experience. Many express feelings of comfort and connection, with some even reporting moments of deep emotional resonance, such as shedding tears during the credits, indicating a profound personal impact.

Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it features a New Game+ mode that alters the locations of puzzles, many players find the core platforming challenges remain unchanged, leading to a perception of limited replay value. The clever gravity-switching levels and rewarding puzzle-solving elements may entice some players to revisit, but others note that backtracking can be tedious and the game is relatively short.

Users feel that the humor in the game is lacking, with some suggesting that the ability to skip unfunny moments would significantly enhance the overall experience.

The game's optimization has raised concerns among users, as it can be demanding on hardware, even for machines that typically handle modern games well.