FEZ

Xbox 360 owners have no reason not to buy Fez, especially if they love puzzle platformers. This is as close as they can get to a top class Mario game on the system, and that is a big compliment in itself.

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Fez is a puzzle-platformer game featuring Gomez, a 2D creature who discovers a 3rd dimension. Explore an open-world full of secrets, puzzles, and 2D perspectives of 3D structures. Unearth past mysteries to reveal truths about reality and perception in this serene and beautiful adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,608 reviews

gameplay767 positive mentions

grinding119 negative mentions

Unique and innovative gameplay mechanic that combines 2D and 3D perspectives.
Beautiful pixel art style and an enchanting soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.
Challenging puzzles that encourage exploration and critical thinking.

Some puzzles are overly cryptic and require external help or guides to solve.
Navigation can be confusing and tedious due to the interconnected world and lack of fast travel.
The game can feel repetitive and frustrating, especially during backtracking.

gameplay
1,733 mentions
44 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Fez" is characterized by its innovative perspective-shifting mechanic, allowing players to rotate a 2D world in 3D space, which creates unique and engaging puzzles. While the core mechanic is praised for its creativity and depth, some players find the gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, particularly due to backtracking and the cryptic nature of certain puzzles. Overall, the game combines charming visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a relaxing atmosphere, making it a standout experience for puzzle enthusiasts, despite some criticisms regarding its pacing and complexity.
- “The core engine design is unique and refreshing, the art and storytelling also stand on their own as something very special, and the core gameplay is simply unlike anything else you'll experience in this genre.”
- “The transition from 2D to 3D perspectives adds depth to the gameplay, requiring thoughtful exploration and lateral thinking to uncover hidden secrets and solve challenges.”
- “The gameplay is a mix of exploration and puzzle-solving, with the unique mechanic of rotating the world to reveal new paths and solutions, making it a truly engaging experience.”
- “The gameplay could not be simpler: rotate the screen in 3 dimensions, jump on platforms, go through doors to various interconnected areas to find cubes and anti-cubes.”
- “The core gameplay just isn't interesting enough to make exploration enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay gets old fast and then there is nothing left.”
music
1,582 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Fez" is widely praised for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional work of composer Disasterpeace. The soundtrack complements the game's vibrant pixel art and intricate puzzles, creating a captivating experience that enhances exploration and immersion. Overall, players find the music to be a standout feature, often describing it as soothing, nostalgic, and integral to the game's charm.
- “Years later, and I still feel the same - Fez is as much an experience as it is a game. The soundtrack and ambience create a world that is tranquil in some places and unnerving in others.”
- “I would also say that the soundtrack is one of my favorites of all time, quite chill and melancholy in general, with happy and darker undertones at times. To me, it really conveys the experience of exploring on your own, the loneliness of being amongst the very few who are aware of the true nature of the world.”
- “The game's beautiful, retro-inspired visuals are complemented by a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, creating an immersive experience that is both nostalgic and fresh.”
- “The music is the most bland and forgettable you can imagine.”
- “The barely-audible soundtrack is some weird chiptune I could not warm up to; I usually play with the sound off.”
- “The music can sometimes feel redundant, but is still beautiful and great to listen to.”
graphics
1,198 mentions
58 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Fez" are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and attention to detail, creating a nostalgic yet fresh aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the seamless integration of 2D and 3D elements, which adds depth to the puzzles and exploration. However, some players have reported minor graphical glitches and issues with performance on certain hardware, which can detract from the overall visual enjoyment.
- “A simple but vibrant and charming art style; the characters (especially the player, Gomez) have many subtle but very expressive ways of conveying emotion, and I can't help but be drawn in.”
- “The game's beautiful, retro-inspired visuals are complemented by a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, creating an immersive experience that is both nostalgic and fresh.”
- “The graphics are stunning, all pixely and colorful, making you think you're watching a cartoon.”
- “There seems to be a graphical glitch, at least for me, that causes it to flash oddly, such as causing the skybox to change to a different color, or graphical glitches on the bottom of the screen.”
- “The graphics, while very simple, have some charm to them.”
- “The art style today just looks bad and scarce, with too many repetitions in the assets used, some levels clearly got less attention than others.”
story
719 mentions
30 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The story of *Fez* is often described as simple and minimalistic, primarily revolving around the protagonist, Gomez, who embarks on a quest to restore balance to his pixelated universe by collecting cubes. While some players find the narrative engaging and appreciate the environmental storytelling and cryptic lore, others feel it lacks depth and clarity, leading to a sense of ambiguity that can be frustrating. Overall, the game emphasizes exploration and puzzle-solving over a traditional narrative, allowing players to piece together the story through hidden details and visual cues.
- “The story follows Gomez, a 2D creature who one day finds out about the 3rd dimension, and it's up to him to explore and investigate this new part of reality.”
- “The story is fascinating but not intrusive, and the endings will leave you stunned and puzzled, all topped off with the brilliant work of Disasterpeace.”
- “The story, if you could even call it a story, has you finding cubes and cube pieces, while figuring out about a civilization that has left its mark all over the world.”
- “The story is completely devoid of proper writing.”
- “The story is fairly basic and overall the world is very vague.”
- “The story was lost to me as it felt very much like a Myst game where nothing is explained.”
atmosphere
324 mentions
60 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Fez is widely praised for its mesmerizing blend of beautiful pixel art, soothing ambient music, and a sense of mystery that invites exploration. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a calming, immersive experience, often comparing it to nostalgic classics while emphasizing its unique charm and depth. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, making it a captivating experience for players who appreciate artistic and atmospheric gameplay.
- “The game's beautiful, retro-inspired visuals are complemented by a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, creating an immersive experience that is both nostalgic and fresh.”
- “Fez is probably the most atmospheric game I've ever played, and I haven't really seen anything quite like it since it came out.”
- “The atmosphere created by the colorful graphics and the fantastic soundtrack is inspiring!”
- “The atmosphere made me feel uneasy at times, but it only builds to the experience.”
- “The gameplay is sometimes repetitive and a little mundane, but the music, atmosphere, and lovingly crafted in-game language/number system makes you feel like you're in a living, breathing world.”
- “While Fez has many admirable traits, its art, its music, its relaxing & sometimes mysterious atmosphere; the game itself feels toothless & kinda dull.”
grinding
124 mentions
2 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the game's grinding aspect is characterized by significant tedium, particularly due to excessive backtracking, convoluted puzzles, and slow navigation. Many players found the process of deciphering codes and collecting items to be repetitive and frustrating, often requiring the use of guides to progress. While some appreciated the charm and challenge of the puzzles, the overall sentiment suggests that the game can become a tedious experience, especially for completionists.
- “They're not tedious, so it's not like you give up quickly.”
- “The puzzles are challenging but not too tedious, and the collectibles are fun to get.”
- “The actual puzzles are very straightforward and the only real challenge is trying to use the map and remember which door is the one you need to take, which can become a tedious task rather quickly.”
- “The puzzles become so cryptic, in fact, that backtracking becomes a necessary and tedious feature.”
- “The game is an endless search for cubes, and though one or two new mechanics are introduced in this search, they all felt tedious and simple.”
humor
75 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and whimsical nature, with many players finding the character Gomez and his funny hat particularly endearing. The dialogue and visual gags, along with clever puzzles, contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere that balances the game's challenging mechanics. Overall, the humor is described as charming, inventive, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a delightful experience for players.
- “The language choice is hilarious, the graphics are adorable, just everything about this game is amazing.”
- “The ambient music is impeccable, the challenging puzzles are astounding, and the brilliant little quirks within the design of the game are both hilarious and adorable.”
- “Great music, great humor, great mechanics, great puzzles, and endless complexity.”
- “Boring, unfunny, annoying, headache-inducing, and pretentious with no positive redeeming qualities whatsoever.”
stability
65 mentions
5 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting various graphical glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay and immersion. While some glitches are acknowledged as intentional design elements, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from poor optimization and frequent technical issues, which can lead to frustrating experiences. Despite these problems, some players still find the game enjoyable and worth navigating through the bugs.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck as well!”
- “And no glitches that I have found, unlike some other games I have bought recently.”
- “This game has a very unique idea and executes it well with barely any glitches or control problems at all.”
- “The game is very buggy.”
- “This game is buggy and has been poorly optimized.”
- “However, this game has bugs and glitches often enough that it really does become distracting.”
replayability
59 mentions
32 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While some players appreciate the engaging puzzles and secrets that encourage multiple playthroughs, many others find it lacking in replay value, often citing its short length and limited content beyond a new game+ mode. Despite these criticisms, the unique experience and beautiful design keep some players returning for more.
- “With plenty of secrets, mesmerizing atmosphere, and engaging puzzles, it has infinite replayability.”
- “Fez is very replayable and easy to jump back into.”
- “A true indie gem with loads of replayability and content to keep any fan of puzzle-platformers invested.”
- “That said, it's a little short and there's not much replay value aside from the new game+ that lets you go back and finish the puzzles.”
- “I would recommend this game if you need a 2 session stress reliever, but it has little replay value and likely will sit uninstalled for years after you finish it.”
- “The main drawback is there isn't any more replay value beyond a second playthrough (new game+) to collect everything you missed the first time around.”
emotional
43 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its beautiful art and music, which evoke feelings of nostalgia and warmth, often leading players to tears. While some puzzles can be frustrating and challenging, they contribute to a deep sense of engagement and satisfaction upon completion. Overall, the game successfully blends emotional storytelling with innovative mechanics, creating a memorable and heartfelt experience for players.
- “Makes me feel nostalgic and emotional.”
- “I played this game years ago, and I still get a little emotional every time I listen to this game's soundtrack.”
- “It's making the game mysterious and emotional; it's simply great.”
optimization
33 mentions
30 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including bugs, stuttering, and excessive screen tearing, particularly on older hardware. While some players with modern systems experienced smooth gameplay, others noted that the game demands more resources than expected, leading to frustration. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game requires further optimization to enhance performance across a wider range of systems.
- “Fez is not particularly well optimized for hardware made before 2013, but runs buttery smooth on modern hardware.”
- “Well executed concept, entertaining graphics, runs smoothly even on the worst machines (like my MacBook Pro).”
- “More importantly though, this game ran completely fine on my 2013 Retina 15" MacBook Pro - not a single problem occurred performance-wise (even running at full resolution).”
- “This game is buggy and has been poorly optimized.”
- “High performance PC, NVIDIA 1080 Ti card, drivers up to date... get about 10 fps in full screen mode.”
- “I am very disappointed though to see how poorly optimized it is.”
character development
9 mentions
22 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, reviews indicate a significant lack of character development and narrative depth, with players expressing a desire for more engaging story elements. While the character design is praised for its charm and freshness, many feel that the absence of a compelling antagonist and deeper character arcs detracts from the overall experience. The simplistic design of the main character is noted as endearing, but it alone is insufficient to maintain player interest without a stronger narrative foundation.
- “Any and all characters are met and dealt with in a calm and quick fashion; which is to say the character design is new and refreshing.”
- “Gomez, the player character, is an adorable Kirby-like example of simplistic, minimal character design made endearing and lovable.”
- “There is a lack of narrative, lore, and character development.”
- “I guess I need story or character development to keep playing.”
- “Felt it needed an antagonist... and more character development.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for its heavy reliance on in-game purchases, which many players feel are excessively costly. Additionally, the developer's controversial behavior and perceived hypocrisy regarding the gaming industry have further soured opinions on the game's financial model.
- “In-game purchases will drain your wallet.”
- “The guy who made this shouldn't get any money from the industry he claims to despise, even going so far as faking complaints on his Twitter page and advertising his game while insulting just about everyone who plays games.”