Magnetic: Cage Closed

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 156 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Magnetic: Cage Closed Game Cover
You don't have to think outside the box to solve Magnetic: Cage Closed's puzzles, but there are a few head-scratchers.
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Magnetic: Cage Closed is a first-person puzzle-based physics game. As a prisoner in a mysterious facility, you must manipulate magnetic fields and interact with objects to solve complex puzzles and escape. With a focus on creativity and experimentation, the game offers a challenging and immersive experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 156 reviews
story17 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique magnet gun mechanic that adds an interesting twist to puzzle-solving.
  • Puzzles are well-designed and provide a satisfying challenge, especially in the later stages.
  • The game has multiple endings based on player choices, encouraging replayability.
  • The story feels underdeveloped and lacks the engaging narrative found in similar games like Portal.
  • The save system is frustrating, requiring players to replay the entire game to see different endings.
  • Some puzzles can feel repetitive and the platforming mechanics may lead to frustrating moments.
  • story59 mentions

    The game's story is often criticized for being underdeveloped and lacking depth, with many players noting its similarities to Portal, which detracts from its originality. While some appreciate the engaging narrative and the impact of player choices on the ending, others find the overall plot weak and the pacing slow, leading to a mixed reception regarding its storytelling. Despite these criticisms, a few players enjoyed the story's twists and the atmosphere, suggesting that it can be a rewarding experience for those who persevere through the gameplay.

    • “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
    • “But what kept me going was the story.”
    • “The story is good and rather immersive, the graphics are slightly outdated but still good.”
    • “Despite the awful story and narration, I loved the mechanics and the atmosphere.”
    • “As it stands, the story and setting are just too underdeveloped to justify the many endings you can reach, and it just smacks of hubris to think that players would feel satisfied after playing the same levels seven or eight times to see all these endings.”
    • “The story is weak, the gameplay never really advances that far from 'put block on button' or 'do this platforming sequence', and the ending system is awful.”
  • gameplay46 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the mechanics and atmosphere, while others criticize the slow pacing, bugs, and lack of innovation in puzzle design. Many comparisons to "Portal" highlight that while the game offers enjoyable mechanics, it often feels derivative and simplistic, with repetitive tasks and inconsistent mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is seen as solid yet flawed, providing a fun experience but lacking depth and polish.

    • “The gameplay is solid and really enjoyable; you never feel that it's the game's fault when you fail.”
    • “The puzzles start off really easy during the 'intro-sequence' when you're supposed to learn the mechanics, but after that, they only advance and become more complex.”
    • “Calling it a Portal clone is low-hanging fruit; the mechanics and themes are different enough, and it is a very enjoyable little game on its own merits.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, the puzzles are straightforward and never really introduce new concepts.”
    • “The story is weak, the gameplay never really advances that far from 'put block on button' or 'do this platforming sequence', and the ending system is awful.”
    • “Everything dragged on, the mechanics were clunky, and the payoff (at least for the ending I got) was nothing.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its ability to enhance the atmosphere and gameplay, while others find it average or lacking. Notably, the soundtrack effectively complements key moments, creating tension and immersion, though some users preferred to mute it for a better experience. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's aesthetic, it may not stand out as exceptional.

    • “The audio works very well for informing the player of when something important has happened, and the ambience and music go well with the aesthetic.”
    • “The sound and music are terrific; the team who worked on that part has done a really good job.”
    • “The soundtrack is fitting, not intrusive, and adds an extra dimension to the gameplay, just as music is supposed to.”
    • “The music was also average.”
    • “It's not a good sign when you enjoy a game more after muting the voiceover and the music.”
    • “The soundtrack is quite lacking however.”
  • graphics21 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as dated and functional, typical of a low-budget indie title, yet they maintain a unique aesthetic that some players find appealing. While the visuals may lack high definition and can be dim or gritty, they are often complemented by a suitable atmosphere and interesting design elements, such as the magnet gun. Overall, the graphics are considered passable, with some players noting that they run well on lower-end hardware despite occasional glitches.

    • “Graphics are a bit dated now, but with its subtle art style, it holds in and runs well on lower-end hardware.”
    • “The general aesthetic of the game is noticeable, with the magnet gun in particular being unique and interesting to behold.”
    • “Even if my 'old' computer can run it, the game isn't tacky or anything with the graphics; it's just well made overall.”
    • “The game's graphics are not so defined and it makes you tired after a few tests, especially the dim lighting.”
    • “Ugly graphics.”
    • “The graphics aren't amazing, but they are functional, as you would expect from a low budget indie studio.”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its dark, grungy, and tense qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience despite criticisms of the story and gameplay. The visual style and sound design contribute significantly to a feeling of entrapment, with comparisons made to other titles like Portal, though noted for having lower production values. Overall, the atmosphere is described as engaging and well-executed, adding depth to the gameplay.

    • “But because I try to see the bright side of life, the visual style is neat, really adds to the grungy, edgy, depressive atmosphere.”
    • “It sounded tense, which I guess fit well with the atmosphere the game was going for.”
    • “Looks polished for the most part, works very well with the sound design and the music to create an atmospheric feel that you are trapped, and you have to push forward.”
    • “But because I try to see the bright side of life, the visual style is neat; it really adds to the grungy, edgy, depressive atmosphere.”
    • “Fairly simple game, similar in atmosphere to Portal and Magrunner, but Magnetic: Cage Closed has a very noticeably lower production value.”
    • “Price is fair; indeed, it does seem a lot like Portal, but the atmosphere is definitely darker.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of quirky and dark elements, but it often falls short of the cleverness found in titles like Portal. While some characters deliver clever jabs, the overall comedic impact is seen as lacking, with comparisons highlighting a desire for the memorable wit of previous games. Players appreciate the voice acting but feel that the humor does not consistently engage or entertain as effectively as in more successful titles.

    • “They have this weird sense of humor 🤡”
    • “Challenging, hilarious, and a great way to realize how bad you are at physics 📉”
    • “GLaDOS, despite her artificial nature, had a sense of humor that juxtaposed well with the dark implications of the scribbles on the test chambers’ walls in Portal.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, as it often requires replaying lengthy sections multiple times or manipulating save files to access different endings. The clunky physics and choppy frame rates further exacerbate the experience, making repetitive tasks feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay. Overall, the lack of flexible save options contributes to a sense of monotony and irritation during the final levels.

    • “If you want to check the others out, you basically have 2 options: replay the game 8 times (which would be insanely tedious), or mess around with the save files so you can go back to a previous save. The save files are not in any of the usual folders you would find them, so it would basically be an absolute pain were it not for the gentle soul who made the guide to unlock all 9 endings and tells you where to find them.”
    • “If I could have saved whenever I chose, it would be better, but constantly repeating a long series of maneuvers just because of one bad move is not fun; it is a tedious ordeal.”
    • “As a result, the final levels feel more like a tedious obstacle course than actual puzzles.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    While the game offers multiple endings and some moral choices that enhance its replayability, many players feel that having to replay the entire game multiple times to experience these outcomes diminishes the overall enjoyment. The repetitive nature of the test chambers further limits the game's replay value, making it feel less engaging despite the presence of different story paths.

    • “It makes the game replayable to find out how many ways it can end.”
    • “It certainly has replay value, but not if you have to replay the entire training again just to see different outcomes.”
    • “Speaking of different endings: overwriting the same save file and thus sorta forcing the player to play through the entire essentially identical game ~7.7 times to find all endings is not the proper way to make your game 'replayable'.”
    • “It certainly has replay value but not if you have to replay the entire training again just to see different outcomes.”
    • “I finished in just over 3 hours, and although there is a bit of replayability provided by a couple of moral choices that lead to multiple story endings, it seems that the test chambers are always the same whichever path you take.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express that games like q-beh and portal evoke a strong sense of accomplishment through their challenging gameplay and intricate mechanics. The emotional engagement is heightened by the tension of navigating difficult environments, which fosters a rewarding experience when overcoming obstacles.

  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is praised, with players noting that deaths are primarily due to player error rather than technical issues. The solid foundation of the game is highlighted, with minimal bugs or glitches reported.

    • “It's not unforgiving, but when you die, it's because of your own mistakes, not glitches or something that the game caused, which is really nice!”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; I never encountered any bugs that disrupted my progress.”
    • “The game frequently crashes, making it frustrating to progress.”
    • “I encountered several game-breaking bugs that ruined my experience.”
    • “The stability issues are so severe that I often lose my progress.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highly praised, with users reporting stable frame rates and overall smooth performance.

    • “Optimization is great, providing stable FPS.”
    • “The game runs smoothly with excellent optimization.”
    • “I appreciate the attention to detail in optimization, making for a seamless experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

56% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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