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MainFrames

MainFrames is a quirky, tightly packed precision platformer with a ton of personality and unique ideas. It's challenging and rewarding to create what could be one of the best byte-sized experiences of 2025.
83%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
stability
90% User Score Based on 102 reviews
Critic Score 72%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPCSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $12.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$12.99

About

MainFrames is a single-player action game with ingenious graphics, where you guide an adventurous program named Floppy through a PC monitor's desktop. Jump between program windows to navigate the digital world, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets in diverse visual styles. With a charming atmosphere and innovative mechanics, MainFrames offers a rewarding experience that's hard to put down.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot
MainFrames screenshot

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 108 reviews
gameplay17 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • MainFrames features charming pixel art and a delightful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game offers a variety of creative mechanics and level designs that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
  • It strikes a good balance in difficulty, providing a rewarding challenge that encourages players to master its unique setups.
  • The game suffers from some bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating moments.
  • There is no option for level replay or backtracking, making it difficult to collect missed items or achievements.
  • Some level designs can be confusing or overly punishing, particularly in sections where visibility is limited.
  • gameplay
    49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Mainframes features a mix of creative mechanics and charming visuals, with some players appreciating its innovative twists on classic platforming elements. However, many reviews highlight that the gameplay feels underdeveloped and simplistic, with frustrating mechanics and a lack of level variety that detracts from the overall experience. While it offers fun and challenge for genre enthusiasts, casual players may find it lacking depth and replayability.

    • “Short but incredibly fun game, liked the creative mechanics a lot.”
    • “Mainframes takes classic 2D platformer elements and adds its own twists and clever ideas to turn them into an innovative and refreshing gameplay experience.”
    • “It offers enough challenge that it’s not a breeze while also having the brain-twisting addition of frame movement and related mechanics.”
    • “But the gameplay is unfortunately underbaked.”
    • “The gravity mechanics are frustrating to use because they flip your controls, leading to many deaths because your hands are stuck in a manual version of a tongue twister.”
    • “Overall, I don't feel it delivers on the gameplay premise very well and I would rather spend my time in other games.”
  • graphics
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features stunning pixel graphics that are both charming and nostalgic, complemented by a catchy retro soundtrack. While the visuals are generally well-received for their beauty and creativity, some players noted that they can occasionally hinder gameplay readability. Overall, the art direction and aesthetic contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful experience for fans of pixel art.

    • “The visuals are stunning, it controls really well and has some great platforming in a quite unique universe.”
    • “Where the game shines is in its gorgeous art direction, featuring warm and purposefully chaotic visuals and beautiful UI design.”
    • “The aesthetic is awesome, the pixel art is well-done, and the mechanics feel polished and fair.”
    • “The visuals are really quite pretty, though occasionally difficult to read gameplay-wise.”
    • “The charming and cute aesthetics can’t save the game from its simplistic gameplay which struggles to capitalize on its strong ideas.”
    • “As it is, I would suggest buying it on sale if you're charmed by the aesthetic.”
  • music
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy retro pixel style, which complements the charming visuals and enhances the overall aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the richness of the soundtrack, expressing a desire for an official release to enjoy it outside of gameplay. Overall, the music is seen as a significant and delightful aspect that adds to the game's creativity and appeal.

    • “The desktop aesthetic is solid throughout and pairs so well with a great soundtrack.”
    • “It has interesting mechanics that build on each other and a nice retro-y music track that complements the game.”
    • “Very charming 2D platformer with some great visuals and music.”
  • story
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is generally described as cute and simple, complemented by engaging dialogue and a charming art style. While many players appreciate the enjoyable main narrative and background details, some critiques highlight a lack of depth and variety, suggesting that the story may not be as compelling as the game's visuals and music. Overall, it offers a lighthearted experience that rewards attentive players.

    • “The art style is gorgeous, the characters are very cute, and so is the small story of the game.”
    • “Got the email it was available and was not disappointed; the story is cute, the levels are varied and fit the overall theme.”
    • “+ a nice background story that rewards you for paying attention to it.”
    • “Stale and uninteresting gameplay, lack of level variety, dull story, short runtime with no replay options.”
  • humor
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring a variety of colorful and amusing characters, including whimsical daemons, and delivering funny moments throughout the journey. Players appreciate the clever writing and humorous references that enhance the overall experience.

    • “Your journey will be filled with funny moments as you meet colorful, humorous characters (daemons... who knew my computer was filled with those?).”
    • “All the characters are fun, and some scenes are quite funny as well, filled with references.”
    • “Excellent and responsive platforming, great puzzle solving with unique ideas, wonderfully creative art style, and fun, hilarious writing and characters.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a poignant memorial screen dedicated to a developer's friend, which resonates strongly with players, despite some feeling a disconnect with the abstract characters. This moment stands out as the game's most memorable emotional experience.

    • “While the abstract characters didn't quite connect with me, the world itself is compelling - especially a touching memorial screen dedicated to a developer's good buddy, which stands as the game's most memorable moment.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy, leading to frustrating experiences where players often have to replay the same sections multiple times. While some find enjoyment in the gameplay, the technical issues detract from the overall experience.

    • “I mean, it can be fun, but it feels buggy, and sometimes you have to replay the same boring room over and over.”

72%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

Buy MainFrames

4h Median play time
4h Average play time
4-4h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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