MacGuffin
- February 18, 2016
- Concrete Games Classic
Get on Steam"MacGuffin" is a single-player action comedy game set in an alternative present where you play as a thief on a mission to steal a mysterious object for rich client Richard. The game takes place in a Japanese Nuclear Power Plant about to explode, with objectives including hacking computers, solving simple puzzles, and discovering the story. Featuring intense adventure, extraordinary conversations, a free fact generator, and a unique soundtrack, MacGuffin encourages players to uncover the truth and complete the mission.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Macguffin offers a unique and entertaining experience with its absurd humor and quirky style.
- The game is filled with tiny details and hidden secrets that encourage exploration.
- Despite its short length, many players find it enjoyable and worth the price.
- The game is very short, typically taking around 30 minutes to complete, which leaves players wanting more.
- Performance issues and poor graphics have been reported, making the game unplayable for some.
- The humor often falls flat, with comparisons to better games like The Stanley Parable and Portal highlighting its shortcomings.
- humor32 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it clever and genuinely funny, particularly in its satirical take on "The Stanley Parable." Others feel the jokes fall flat or rely too heavily on randomness rather than clever writing, leading to disappointment. Overall, while many appreciate the subtle and hidden humor, opinions vary significantly on its effectiveness.
“Interesting game, with lots of tiny details and funny jokes.”
“Inside of two minutes, I had already purchased a copy for a friend, and we were both laughing our donkeys off!”
“Clearly, Macguffin is a satire of the satirical 'The Stanley Parable', but infinitely funnier. If you liked 'Stanley' for the humor, you’ll love Macguffin for the same reason.”
“The game tries to be like The Stanley Parable, but it is neither funny nor clever.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some users find it lacking due to its short length, others appreciate its high replay value, especially considering its low price. The potential for replayability may depend on future updates and additional content from the developers.
“For this rock-bottom price and its high degree of replayability, it's well worth your time and money.”
“Being short, it also lacks replayability.”
“And while Macguffin is a short game (how short can’t be determined until more info about the locking is shared by the devs), it lacks replayability.”
“Being short, it also lacks replayability.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting severe stuttering and poor performance, making it nearly unplayable despite its simplistic graphics.
“Unplayable, the game keeps stuttering when I'm trying to move.”
“Performance is also really bad at parts despite how basic the game looks.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is designed for quick completion, featuring hidden triggers that enhance the experience with humor and additional sequences. While the lack of a save feature and occasional gameplay locks may be frustrating, they contribute to a journey-focused experience that many players find enjoyable and entertaining.
“You may complete it quickly (so the price is right), but there exist subtle hidden triggers that include some more gameplay sequences and jokes.”
“One is that there is no save feature, and there are so many hilarious screenshots to be posted that I found myself starting over repeatedly (which is maybe the best problem ever!). The other is that the gameplay locks at various points (but not menu access). This would lead me to believe that it was intentional, except that the locking has occurred in three places, one quite early. But since the game is actually the journey rather than the destination, the locking takes away rather little from the experience.”
“One issue is that there is no save feature, and there are so many hilarious screenshots to be posted that I found myself starting over repeatedly (which is maybe the best problem ever!). Another issue is that the gameplay locks at various points (but not menu access). This would lead me to believe that it was intentional, except that the locking has occurred in three places, one quite early. However, since the game is actually the journey rather than the destination, the locking takes away rather little from the experience.”
“The gameplay can be completed quickly, which makes the price feel right, but there are subtle hidden triggers that include some more gameplay sequences and jokes.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is centered around high-stakes missions, such as hacking an airport's security system to steal a multi-billion dollar jet amidst chaos. Players appreciate the endless possibilities for mission variety, suggesting a dynamic and engaging narrative experience.
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is not perceived as a blatant cash grab, as it attempts to offer value rather than simply exploiting players for profit.
“The monetization feels like a cash grab, trying to sell a subpar experience as if it's a premium game.”
“The in-game purchases are excessive and detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“It seems like the developers prioritize profit over player experience, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with multiple users rating them as a low 1/10, indicating significant dissatisfaction with the visual quality of the game.
“1/10 for graphics.”
“1/10 for graphics.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game currently suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent freezes occurring before players can progress, leading to a frustrating experience.
“No clue, currently the game freezes before you reach it.”
“No clue, currently the game freezes before you reach it.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in "Macguffin" is heavily infused with pop culture references, featuring notable elements like Nixon and the iconic song "Funkytown," which enhances the game's overall atmosphere and engagement.
“Pop culture references have perhaps never been as ever-present as in Macguffin, from Nixon and what I believe is the song 'Funkytown', to the dead-solid best uses of the international no symbol ever created.”
