Ilamentia

About

Ilamentia is a single player action game. It was developed by caiys and was released on November 25, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Ilamentia is a first-person puzzler with 96 levels, where the goal is to activate souls and escape. Each level features unique mechanics, ranging from manipulating structures to reacting to phasms, and aims to test players' cognitive abilities. The mystery lies in discovering each level's specific mechanics, which become increasingly complex as you progress."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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69%

Audience ScoreBased on 75 reviews

graphics7 positive mentions

Ilamentia features a diverse range of unique and challenging puzzles that encourage creative thinking and problem-solving.
The game's surreal atmosphere and distinct visual style create an engaging and immersive experience.
Players appreciate the satisfaction of overcoming difficult puzzles, making it a rewarding challenge for puzzle enthusiasts.

The game suffers from poor controls and a flickering visual effect that can cause discomfort and motion sickness for some players.
Many puzzles lack clear instructions or logical coherence, leading to frustration and confusion during gameplay.
The game's abstract nature and lack of guidance may alienate players who prefer more structured puzzle experiences.

graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
53%
14%
The graphics of the game elicit mixed reactions, with some praising its unique and abstract art style, while others criticize the stroboscopic effects and pixelated visuals that can be overwhelming and disorienting. Many reviewers appreciate the attention to detail and the atmospheric quality, but note that the overall execution can be rough and visually exhausting. Overall, the graphics are described as a blend of beautiful and bizarre, appealing to some players while alienating others.
- “The game offers some nice graphics and a beautiful aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some amazing attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
- “I knew I was going to love Ilamentia the moment I saw its freakishly weird art style, but never did I expect to love it as much as I do now.”
- “I *love* the atmosphere, the art style, and the puzzles I've played so far.”
- “This tawdry experience presents a host of puzzles that range from ordinary to awful, trying patience and persistence whilst the visuals do their utmost to give the player a seizure.”
- “The thing is, it's exhausting to put up with the wonky visuals and the weird phrases while still trying to focus on solving the puzzles.”
- “From a constant, migraine-inducing flicker effect to ugly, pixelated sprites to captions in an angular, inscrutable font, this game is a pathetic attempt to excuse inferior graphics by making it look 'arty', and inferior gameplay by making it seem 'abstract'.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
The gameplay of ilamentia is characterized by its dream-like atmosphere and a focus on obscure puzzles that require creative thinking, though it often leads to frustration due to unclear mechanics and a lack of coherent progression. While some players appreciate the methodical and satisfying challenges, others criticize the trial-and-error nature and the absence of clear guidance, resulting in a gameplay experience that can feel hollow and disjointed. Overall, the game offers unique levels with simple mechanics, but the execution may leave players feeling confused and annoyed.
- “It's definitely not the kind of game you come to for the story, but if you enjoy dream-like atmospheres, figuring out the mechanics of obscure puzzles with minimal hints, and thinking outside the box, then ilamentia is the perfect game for you.”
- “The gameplay is methodical and satisfying.”
- “Nearly every level does something unique with the simple mechanics of move/jump/shoot, and a good number require some wonderful outside-the-box solutions.”
- “The persistent demand for trial-and-error solutions without asking any intellectual input from the player is the reason why I didn't feel like pursuing this hollow gameplay further.”
- “Half of the gameplay tends to boil down to you walking around wondering if the reason you can't progress is because you somehow broke the game, or that you don't understand the asinine logic of the puzzles.”
- “Many puzzle games introduce a mechanic and build upon it, this game does not do that in a conventional manner.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere of ilamentia is characterized by a dream-like quality, enhanced by its unique art style and a blend of creepy yet relaxing sounds. While the game may not focus heavily on narrative, it captivates players who enjoy abstract puzzle-solving in an immersive environment reminiscent of titles like Antichamber and The Witness. Overall, it offers a compelling atmosphere that encourages creative thinking and exploration.
- “It's definitely not the kind of game you come to for the story, but if you enjoy dream-like atmospheres, figuring out the mechanics of obscure puzzles with minimal hints, and thinking outside the box, then Ilamentia is the perfect game for you.”
- “I love the atmosphere, the art style, and the puzzles I've played so far.”
- “I have to mention the sounds too; they are a little creepy yet relaxing, and combined with the visual graphics, they make it very atmospheric.”
- “I'm a big fan of puzzle games. When I bought this game, I thought it would have some kind of 'abstract puzzle' atmosphere similar to Antichamber (one of my favorite games).”
- “Atmosphere-wise, this is a game for people who wished The Witness was a bit more like Off.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is described as droning and otherworldly, effectively enhancing the gameplay experience by creating a sense of urgency and immersion. It complements the unique visual style and puzzles, contributing to a challenging atmosphere that keeps players engaged. Overall, the soundtrack is well-integrated with the game's mechanics, enriching the player's journey through its distinctive world.
- “The droning music and lurid colors put you on edge and make you want to finish each stage as quickly as possible, which adds to the overall experience rather than detracting from it.”
- “The visual style and soundtrack blend together with the puzzles for a challenging experience in a very unique world.”
- “The droning music and lurid colors put you on edge and make you want to finish each stage as quickly as possible, which adds to the overall experience sooner than it detracts.”
- “With its otherworldly soundtrack, constant visual tricks, and a very novel approach to death (there technically isn't any), I felt very much like some sort of nethermancer seeking to accumulate souls for whatever purpose a nethermancer soul searches.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story in ilamentia is not the main draw, as players find it secondary to the game's dream-like atmosphere and challenging puzzles. While the narrative may be minimal, those who appreciate abstract storytelling and unconventional gameplay will find it engaging.