Lucidity
- October 6, 2009
- LucasArts
From the team that re-imagined The Secret of Monkey Island, comes Lucidity, an addictive puzzle platformer set in the surreal childlike dreamscapes of the little girl Sofi. In this challenging puzzler, it’s your task to keep Sofi safe as she drifts deeper into the strange new world of her dreams.
Reviews
- The game features a unique and innovative gameplay concept that combines puzzle-solving with platforming elements.
- The art style is charming and visually appealing, reminiscent of a storybook, with exceptional music that enhances the experience.
- The story is emotionally engaging, focusing on themes of grief and loss, which adds depth to the gameplay.
- The gameplay is slow and can become tedious, as the character moves automatically and the player has limited control over her actions.
- Levels tend to feel repetitive, with little variation in gameplay, leading to a lack of excitement and engagement over time.
- The game can be frustrating due to its reliance on luck for the placement of items, which can hinder progress and enjoyment.
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the puzzle platformer is described as innovative yet flawed, with many reviewers noting its on-rails mechanics and lack of engagement. While some appreciate the quick-thinking and adaptive elements required to navigate changing environments, others criticize the janky platforming and the overall dullness of the gameplay. Ultimately, the game is seen more as a narrative vehicle than a compelling gameplay experience, with mixed opinions on its execution.
“It's been some years since I last played this, but this puzzle platformer has truly innovative gameplay.”
“Lucidity is not passive linear media; instead, it is a game focused on quick thinking and adaptation, as the player helps Sofi navigate constantly changing environments using a continually randomized set of tools.”
“Because gameplay essentially involves placing level pieces on a grid, a gamepad offers a smoother experience here compared to a mouse, as having a mouse cursor constantly snapping to a grid can be an alien and unnerving sensation.”
“So far as I can tell, the gameplay is entirely watching the girl walk across the screen and placing things like wood planks and stairs so she doesn't encounter danger.”
“The gameplay of this game is barely existent.”
“Platforming is janky as hell and the gameplay is nothing to speak of.”
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story centers on a young girl named Sofi as she navigates the emotional journey of accepting her grandmother's death and saying her final goodbyes. Users describe it as a sweet and gentle narrative, beautifully crafted in a storybook style, though some feel the gameplay does not match the emotional depth of the story. Overall, the narrative is praised for its poignant themes and satisfying resolution, making it a worthwhile experience despite its brevity.
“The story is very sweet and gentle, and the resolution is satisfying.”
“This game tells the story of a little girl named Sofi who is coming to terms with the death of her grandmother.”
“Seriously, the story for this game is beautiful; the game is fun, and the art is cute.”
“The story of this game is quite sad; it's about a little girl dealing with the loss of her grandma, at least that's what I understood from it.”
“Instead, all you get is faux indie art (it's okay), story, and music with all of the worst gameplay elements of a crappy indie title (meaning all of them).”
“While the gameplay itself is somewhat dull, the game is largely used as a vehicle in which to tell the story, which itself is extraordinary and well worth the short time commitment and small price of admission.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some praising the stylish art and vibrant colors reminiscent of classic LucasArts games, while others found the visuals to be underwhelming, likening them to cheap vector art. Overall, the art style is described as cute and appealing, but opinions vary on its execution and impact on gameplay.
“The art style is just *chef's kiss* and the colors are simply amazing.”
“The visuals are stylish in that LucasArts style, and the soundtrack ranges from calming to middling.”
“I expected a cute little puzzle platformer, and in a way, it is (especially the graphics look cute).”
“The art style is a flat papier-mâché style, but coupled with the sharp, straight lines that comprise platforms, levels end up looking like cheap vector art.”
“Graphics are quite okay in my opinion, also nothing special.”
“I expected a cute, little puzzle platformer and, in a way, it is (especially the graphics look cute), but I expected a platformer where I could move myself, instead of the game moving the character for me.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its exceptional quality, contributing to a pleasant playing experience, while the soundtrack varies from calming to middling. Despite some criticism of the overall gameplay, the stylish visuals and interesting art complement the strong musical elements.
“A bit strange but stylish game with amazing music and extremely interesting art.”
“Exceptional music and a really clean visual style make for a pleasant playing experience.”
“The visuals are stylish in that LucasArts style, and the soundtrack ranges from calming to middling.”
“The visuals are stylish in that LucasArts style, but the soundtrack ranges from calming to mediocre.”
“Instead, all you get is faux indie art (it's okay), story, and music with all of the worst gameplay elements of a poor indie title.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it heartwarming and engaging, particularly through the diary pages and postcards, others feel that the overall lack of substance diminishes the impact of the emotional moments.
“Adorable and heartwarming.”
“It tells a compelling, powerfully emotional tale that becomes increasingly engaging the further in you get.”