Germinal
- March 9, 2023
- Moonlit Monitors
Get on Steam"Germinal is a single-player drama platformer where you help Greg, a germaphobe, navigate through an epidemic using a disinfectant jetpack. The game features five unique stages, a hardmode for each, and is designed with accessibility and speedrunning in mind. With a gripping soundtrack, precise mechanics, and numerous customizable options, Germinal offers a deep and respectful exploration of life with a debilitating mental disorder."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Germinal features a unique hoverpack mechanic that adds depth to the precision platforming experience, making it enjoyable and engaging.
- The level design is well-crafted with a solid difficulty curve, introducing new mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh and challenging.
- The game has a charming art style and sound design that enhances the overall atmosphere, appealing to fans of the genre.
- The game is heavily inspired by Celeste, leading to frequent comparisons that may overshadow its own identity and originality.
- Controls can feel clunky and imprecise at times, with issues related to wall jumps and stamina management that can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.
- The story, while attempting to address serious themes, may not resonate with all players and can feel overshadowed by the gameplay mechanics.
- gameplay60 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique hoverpack mechanic that encourages precision platforming and strategic stamina management, reminiscent of Celeste but with its own thematic elements and level design. While the game introduces new mechanics and challenges in each stage, some players find it lacks depth compared to its inspiration, leading to frustrations with control quirks and a reliance on familiar mechanics. Overall, the core gameplay is solid and engaging, with inventive level design and a balanced difficulty that keeps the experience fresh.
“Precision platforming built around a double jump and hover mechanic that share the same meter, so the game becomes about figuring out which moves to make where while also dealing with whatever platforming puzzle or obstacle lies in your way.”
“The main jetpack mechanic ends up being surprisingly versatile, allowing you to control your momentum or gain more height. There's a lot to explore and discover when you take your time going through the not-so-linear levels.”
“Each stage of the game explores different mechanics with level design, and they all work quite well.”
“And my main frustrations with the game stem from the specific aspect of Celeste it's based most of its gameplay around - stamina management.”
“There is a boost mechanic that I only vaguely understand how to use, but it's never required at any point in any level and the game never teaches it to you.”
“I'd definitely be giving this a 'meh' if Steam allowed it because there's no reason to play this when you could be playing Celeste or one of the many free Celeste mods.”
- story44 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the games discussed is characterized by a blend of dark, emotional themes and introspective narratives, often focusing on mental health and personal struggles. While titles like Earthbound and Alundra are praised for their unique storytelling that stands out from their inspirations, Germinal's narrative received mixed reviews, with some players finding it overly focused and less engaging. Overall, the stories are noted for their depth and handling of serious issues, though not all players found them compelling or interesting.
“Earthbound, one of my favorite games, is a Dragon Quest clone but still stands out due to its unique setting and storytelling, which is darker and more emotional, and less adventurous compared to Dragon Quest.”
“Alundra is another gamer favorite, being a Zelda clone, but it still stands out with its brilliant, twisted storytelling that even caused the writers to feel depressed and create a light-hearted game instead. It still has that Zelda dungeon feel but is different as well.”
“To summarize things I like, I really liked the story; it was really dark and creepy at times. Unlike Celeste, whose story was sad with funny moments, Germinal was incredibly dark and addressed a very serious problem that certainly needed attention.”
“My main complaint about the game, unfortunately, is the story. While that is never the part of a game I gravitate to, I couldn't help but feel that Germinal's story was far too much of a focus for how uninterested I was in it.”
“It isn't bad or anything, but I wasn't super interested in a pandemic story.”
“Other than the graphics, the story, and it being a room-based precision platformer, it does not try to be Celeste.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beauty and pleasant art style, but many reviewers note that they closely resemble those of "Celeste," leading to comparisons that highlight a lack of distinctiveness. While the game introduces some unique themes and mechanics, the visual design feels repetitive across different areas, with only minor variations in background colors. Overall, while the visuals are appealing, there is a desire for a stronger individual identity in the art style.
“The art style is great and pleasant to look at.”
“Pretty visuals.”
“It feels almost identical to play, and the art style is very similar, but it has its own unique theme and a few new mechanics.”
“This game is basically a Celeste clone, with only different graphics and some new things.”
“Again, this is fine, but I sort of wish the visuals at least had a bit more of their own identity.”
“Making a game like this, in the art style they chose, cannot avoid getting compared to Celeste.”
- music14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as a mixed bag, with some tracks being enjoyable while others are considered annoying or average. While it lacks the standout quality of similar titles like Celeste, the soundtrack does contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, featuring a variety of ideas and inventive mechanics. Overall, opinions on the music range from pleasant to mediocre, with some praising the sound design.
“Lots of unique mechanics, inventive level design, good music, satisfying particle effects, and neat speedrunning mechanics and skips.”
“Fresh soundtrack.”
“On top of this, the OST and sound design are great, which adds to the atmosphere of the game quite well.”
“The soundtrack wasn't anything extraordinary either; it was pretty much average.”
“There are some rough edges. I found that the music was a mixed bag containing everything from 'please turn this annoying music off' to 'okay, this is quite pleasant to listen to.'”
“There are some rough edges. I found that the music was a mixed bag containing everything from 'please turn this annoying music off' to 'okay, this is quite pleasant to listen to.'”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the emotional depth of games like Earthbound, noting its unique storytelling that contrasts with more traditional adventure titles like Dragon Quest. However, frustrations with gameplay mechanics, such as oversized hitboxes leading to cheap deaths, can detract from the overall emotional experience.
“Earthbound, one of my favorite games, is a Dragon Quest clone but still stands out due to its unique setting and storytelling being darker and more emotional, and less adventurous compared to Dragon Quest.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is profoundly impactful, resonating deeply with players due to its compelling premise. Additionally, the outstanding original soundtrack and sound design significantly enhance the overall immersive experience.
“On top of this, the OST and sound design are great, which adds to the atmosphere of the game quite well.”
“The atmosphere that is being portrayed hits hard, as I'm sure it does with most of us if the premise wasn't already obvious.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is minimal, as the narrative leans heavily towards dark and creepy themes, contrasting with lighter, more humorous moments found in other titles like Celeste. The focus is on serious issues rather than comedic relief, resulting in a tone that is predominantly somber.
