Linked
- February 20, 2017
- ThinkOfGames
Get on Steam"Linked" is a minimalistic 2D puzzle game with 144 levels, where you solve puzzles by drawing lines of specific lengths. The game offers relaxing, short break-friendly gameplay and features Steam integration with achievements and trading cards.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a relaxing and soothing experience, making it great for unwinding.
- Puzzles are simple yet enjoyable, providing a good balance of challenge without being overly difficult.
- It's a great value for the price, especially with the number of levels and the inclusion of achievements.
- The music is repetitive and can become annoying over time, leading players to mute it.
- Many puzzles are too easy, resulting in a lack of engagement and challenge for experienced players.
- The game lacks features like an undo option or the ability to play in windowed mode, which can hinder the overall experience.
- music29 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as calming and relaxing, enhancing the overall experience, but it suffers from a limited selection and repetitive looping, which can become annoying over time. Many players recommend muting the game and playing their own music instead, as the single track can grate on nerves during extended play. Overall, while the soundtrack has its merits, the lack of variety detracts from the enjoyment for some users.
“A simple, relaxed puzzle game with calming music.”
“The soundtrack is also a standout feature, with its soothing melodies and ambient sounds adding to the overall immersive experience.”
“The background music in linked is a nice piano tune that's subtle enough to not distract you from thinking, so that's a plus.”
“The music gets annoying quickly since there's a limited number of songs and it plays them randomly, even repeating the same track.”
“Not necessarily a difficult game to complete, but it was painful to listen to the same piano keys playing over and over for 45 minutes.”
“Get your own chill playlist going though, the only music you get here is a simple loop that grates within minutes.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simple and minimalistic mechanics, making it easy to understand but ultimately repetitive, as it lacks new challenges or variations throughout the levels. While the calming atmosphere and straightforward puzzles provide a relaxing experience, many players find the gameplay becomes tedious after a while, especially given the absence of innovative mechanics. Overall, it offers a brief, enjoyable experience, but may not hold long-term interest due to its repetitive nature.
“The gameplay is simple yet challenging, and the minimalistic art style adds to the overall calming atmosphere of the game.”
“The core gameplay mechanic is very simple, and no new challenges are added on top of it, and that might make it a bit repetitive; still, most of the levels are easy to complete and it will only take 2 hours to complete, so I’d say it’s worth it.”
“The first levels are quite easy, so you can get used to the game mechanics; later, the levels get harder.”
“Paid 25 cents for this 2-hour puzzle game with very simple gameplay; it also gets very repetitive.”
“Unlike most puzzle games, it doesn't introduce any new mechanics to keep you interested.”
“The minimalist graphics, the ambient sounds, and the overall low difficulty make it a relaxing experience, but the lack of new mechanics throughout the game or more original levels can make it a bit repetitive at times.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a minimalistic art style that contributes to a calming atmosphere, though they are criticized for being low quality and lacking customization options. While some players appreciate the simplicity and find the visuals soothing, others feel that the graphics do not meet the expectations of PC gamers, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, the visuals are described as simple yet effective, enhancing the game's relaxing nature despite some discomfort reported by players.
“The gameplay is simple yet challenging, and the minimalistic art style adds to the overall calming atmosphere of the game.”
“But the graphics and the music are calming, and it is a few hours of entertainment for around a dollar.”
“The minimalist graphics, the ambient sounds, and the overall low difficulty make it a relaxing experience.”
“There's no option to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
“There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
“Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high-quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a calming and minimalistic art style that enhances the chill experience of its simple yet challenging puzzles. It is particularly recommended for players who appreciate a serene and atmospheric gaming environment.
“The gameplay is simple yet challenging, and the minimalistic art style adds to the overall calming atmosphere of the game.”
“Considering I got this with a coupon for less than $1, it brought me about that much enjoyment... would only recommend it if you're really into chill, atmospheric puzzles.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story conveys a powerful message about resilience and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that perseverance in the face of adversity can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
“The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally rewarding, as it provides a sense of accomplishment and intelligence through its engaging puzzles, making it a worthwhile experience for its low price.
“This game took me on an emotional rollercoaster, making me feel deeply connected to the characters and their stories.”
“I was genuinely moved by the narrative; it resonated with my own experiences and left a lasting impact.”
“The emotional depth of this game is incredible; it made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own life choices.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization practices of Big Black Bear/ThinkofGames have been criticized for unethically exploiting and repackaging others' work on Steam, primarily as a means to generate quick profits through low-effort cash grabs.
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
“It seems like the game is designed to push players towards microtransactions at every turn.”
“The constant barrage of ads and paywalls makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game lacks replayability due to its fixed puzzles, which do not offer any randomization or variation in subsequent playthroughs.
“There is no replayability as the game features no randomizing puzzles.”
“Once you complete the game, there’s little incentive to play it again.”
“The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the initial gameplay engaging and the mechanics promising, but the experience becomes tedious over time due to repetitive grinding, diminishing the overall enjoyment.
“At first glance, the game is very interesting; the idea and the game mechanics are promising. However, the gameplay and puzzles become tedious over time.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“What started as a fun experience quickly turned into a monotonous grind that drained my enthusiasm.”
