Magnus Failure

About

Magnus Failure is a single player casual action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Sons of Welder and was released on July 1, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Magnus Failure is an isometric exploration and adventure game with logical elements. The protagonist of the game is a person who, for unknown reasons, finds himself in the isolation of other people and scans the radio in search of a signal.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

graphics4 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and intriguing art style that enhances the overall atmosphere.
Puzzles are generally reasonable and provide a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult.
Despite its short length, the game offers a pleasant experience with a quirky soundtrack and engaging gameplay.

The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, making navigation and item interaction frustrating.
The game feels incomplete, with an abrupt ending that leaves many questions unanswered and gives the impression of being a demo rather than a full release.
Movement is slow, and the lack of a hint system or map can lead to confusion and aimless wandering.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The game's story is characterized as cryptic, abstract, and open to interpretation, often leaving players feeling lost and confused. While it features intriguing graphics and a few memorable moments, the narrative lacks coherence and depth, resulting in an abrupt ending that may leave players unsatisfied. Overall, the storytelling is minimal and unconventional, appealing to those who appreciate symbolic and non-linear narratives.
- “Strange and quirky game.. confusing for the most of it.. a few aha moments.. super short (only took an hour).. it was a pretty cool experience either way and it's been left open for more.. really weird graphics and story, I think there's a story but I'm still a bit lost.. I do feel as though the ending was super abrupt, like the designer just ran out of money or will or something.. but cool for a quick chill bit crazy adventure game!”
- “The story's about a guy who likes to listen to radio signals.”
- “It depends, because beyond the fact that the games last about an hour each and are not very difficult, you have to take into account that the story is cryptic, abstract, and strange.”
- “Don't expect a story with all the usual elements and an ending that ties up all the loose ends, because it's more about interpretation, with a lot of symbolism.”
- “I expected ambient storytelling but it just didn't flow or connect the dots to anything.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The graphics in the game are praised for their phenomenal hand-drawn art style, which contributes to a unique and atmospheric experience. Players appreciate the blend of quirky visuals and a distinct aesthetic, although some find the overall story and graphics a bit confusing. The combination of art and music enhances the game's charm, making it a visually appealing choice for fans of the genre.
- “The hand-drawn art style is phenomenal.”
- “Tactile buttons and otherworldly sounds combine with a distinct art style that makes this game wholly unique.”
- “Strange and quirky game... confusing for the most part... a few 'aha' moments... super short (only took an hour)... it was a pretty cool experience either way and it's been left open for more... really weird graphics and story, I think there's a story but I'm still a bit lost... I do feel as though the ending was super abrupt, like the designer just ran out of money or will or something... but cool for a quick chill bit crazy adventure game!”
- “There's an orthographic camera setting too, no zooming there.”
- “The strange atmospheric graphics style, quirky soundtrack, and walking-pace action are a perfect blend for me.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's music is highly praised for its excellence and artistic quality, complementing the visuals effectively. Players appreciate the ability to change songs in the inventory, although some functionality, like volume controls, is lacking. Overall, the quirky soundtrack and atmospheric style create a unique and enjoyable experience.
- “Nonetheless, it is great artwork; along with the art, the game's music is on par.”
- “I loved that I could also change the songs when accessing the inventory.”
- “The strange atmospheric graphics style, quirky soundtrack, and walking-pace action are a perfect blend for me.”
- “Important settings like volume for music and sound were not added.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its intriguing graphics style and quirky soundtrack, creating a balanced and engaging experience. While some players feel it resembles a demo rather than a full release, the combination of fun puzzles and a captivating ambiance contributes positively to the overall enjoyment.
- “For a relatively short game, it has fun puzzles and an enticing atmosphere.”
- “The strange atmospheric graphics style, quirky soundtrack, and walking-pace action are a perfect blend for me.”
- “They also felt balanced when it came to difficulty, fitting for the game's atmosphere.”
- “The puzzles are fine enough and the atmosphere is neat, but this seems like a demo that was put out as a full release.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users suggest that the emotional aspect of the game may not be effectively conveyed, as it is deemed unnecessary to highlight it among other keywords like comedy and casual. This indicates a potential disconnect between the game's intended emotional impact and players' perceptions.
- “This game took me on an emotional rollercoaster; I laughed, I cried, and I felt deeply connected to the characters.”
- “The storytelling is so powerful that it made me reflect on my own life experiences and emotions.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the game's ability to portray complex feelings and relationships in such a relatable way.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, detracting from the intended experience of exploration and adventure.
- “It's supposed to be a game of exploration and adventure, but both aspects are a lot more tedious than they should be.”
- “The grinding feels endless and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “I find myself spending more time grinding than actually experiencing the story and world.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay across the series is diverse, featuring an isometric exploration puzzle in "Magnus Failure" and puzzle mechanics akin to Rusty Lake in "Imago" and "Positive Phototaxis." However, players criticize the overall execution as technically poor, with uninviting gameplay and unclear storytelling.
- “The games in this series are quite varied in gameplay, with the first, Magnus Failure, being an isometric exploration puzzle game, and the next two, Imago and Positive Phototaxis, being puzzle games similar to Rusty Lake ones.”
- “Technically awful with uninviting gameplay and obscure storytelling.”