Liminal Spaces: Polyventure
- January 28, 2018
- Eternity Studios
Get on SteamAyahuasca: Polyventure is a low poly experimental game based on beautiful atmospheres and lucid dreaming, to concern about endangered species and other future human society problems. The game mainly consists in exploring the surroundings of the psychedelic worlds.
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Reviews
- The music is enjoyable and creates a nice atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game features interesting visuals and a unique art style that can evoke a sense of wonder.
- It can be appreciated as an experimental piece of interactive art, showcasing minimalistic design.
- The gameplay is extremely minimalistic, with very little player interaction and a lack of depth.
- The game is very short, taking only about 10-11 minutes to complete, which may not justify its price.
- The achievement system is misleading, as it cannot be unlocked without cheating, leading to frustration.
- music15 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in Polyventure is generally well-received, described as good, relaxing, and atmospheric, enhancing the game's ethereal environments. However, some players find the repetitive nature of certain tracks detracts from the experience, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact. While the game serves as an interactive music video, its minimalistic design and limited player interaction may leave some players wanting more depth beyond the soundtrack.
“However, the music itself is good!”
“Polyventure is a short dreamy walking simulator, with some really interesting visuals and a very nice soundtrack.”
“The game's focus is on the music and appreciation of it; I looked up at the starry sky at one point and it really felt like I was in a dream.”
“It creates an atmosphere for the song playing in the background, but nothing more.”
“Polyventure seems to be more or less just about wandering around strange locales while a chill, 'pure moods'-ish sounding song plays in the background.”
“While I was initially very captivated with the game and its opening enigma - a sadeness-sounding tune, it quickly became apparent that the game involved very little (to no) player interaction, instead consisting of the player meandering aimlessly about while a snippet of a song plays, looking at a few things before being warped out of that environment and onto the next 'hub' area which has four pillars of colorful light that the player can walk into.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is primarily driven by the background music, which enhances the experience but lacks depth and engagement. While the game is marketed as an exploration of beautiful atmospheres and environmental themes, players find the level design and interactions insufficient to support this ambitious vision.
“The game immerses you in a beautifully crafted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“The combination of visuals and sound creates a captivating atmosphere that draws you into the world.”
“The environment is rich and detailed, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
“It creates an atmosphere for the song playing in the background, but nothing more.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in Polyventure are praised for their ability to create a mysterious and magical atmosphere, enhancing the dreamy experience of the walking simulator. The visuals are described as interesting and complement the game's appealing soundtrack.
“I like how the graphics make the world seem more mysterious and magical at the same time.”
“Polyventure is a short, dreamy walking simulator with some really interesting visuals and a very nice soundtrack.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a self-aware and playful tone, with developers poking fun at themselves through features like a seemingly pointless achievement that can only be unlocked by cheating. This meta-humor adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
“Haha, look at me, I'm a funny dev who adds an achievement that you can only cheat!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making every moment feel light-hearted and fun.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for being underwhelming, with gameplay mechanics that hinder engagement, such as slow movement and limited jumping options, making it feel less immersive and compelling.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious and unenjoyable, with players finding certain sections overly repetitive and lacking engagement, leading some to abandon the experience altogether.
“I screenshared with a friend, and his comment was, 'You'd need ice to enjoy that.' It was very tedious to get through; I went through two scenes (one was just a box with four different colored techno poles) before giving up.”
“The grinding feels endless and monotonous, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“After hours of repetitive tasks, I found myself questioning if the game was worth the effort.”
