Manglepaw
- May 10, 2022
- resnijars
"Manglepaw" is a first-person point-and-click adventure game with a spooky atmosphere and surreal environments. Explore the cryptic building to uncover the mysteries of its various rooms, complete puzzle minigames, and meet its strange denizens. With most of the station accessible from the start, players can take their time meeting characters and potentially finding their artistic muse.
Reviews
- The game features charming and surreal environments that create a captivating atmosphere.
- It successfully captures the essence of early point-and-click adventure games with its unique art style and engaging writing.
- The puzzles are simple and enjoyable, allowing players to progress without feeling frustrated.
- The game is quite short, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- There are slow loading times between screens that could disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- The game may not appeal to a broader audience due to its niche surrealist themes and humor.
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as both repetitive and engaging, effectively motivating players to keep moving. It complements the game's surreal art style, evoking a nostalgic, psychedelic atmosphere. Many players express a desire to experience the soundtrack independently, highlighting its quality and appeal.
“Pretty standard point 'n click gameplay enriched with very wonderful and interesting art and music.”
“It mimics the weird surreal LSD-crazed design that was common at the time, along with similarly LSD-crazed music, artwork, and story.”
“Bro, is there anywhere to listen to the soundtrack on its own? It's great!”
“The soundtrack, while repetitive, encourages the player to stay on the move, harnessing a simple aspect that could be considered a fallacy, and turning it into something that pushes the player forward.”
“It mimics the weird, surreal, LSD-crazed design that was common at the time, along with similarly LSD-crazed music, artwork, and 'story'.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their pleasing aesthetic, blending familiar comfort with surreal, bizarre elements reminiscent of 1990s edutainment. The visuals effectively capture a surreal, LSD-inspired design, enhancing the overall vibe and experience, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck.
“The overall vibe and aesthetic is pleasing - a perfect mixture of comfy familiar and esoteric bizarre.”
“It mimics the weird surreal LSD-crazed design that was common at the time, along with similarly LSD-crazed music, artwork, and story.”
“I liked the surreal graphics and vibe, and it works well on Steam Deck!”
“It mimics the weird, surreal, LSD-crazed design that was common at the time, along with similarly LSD-crazed music, artwork, and 'story'.”
“Manglepaw is a heartfelt point-and-click adventure that offers the kind of surreal, 1990s edutainment-adjacent experience you might expect from the visuals on the store page.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its clarity and engaging narrative, allowing players to easily step away and return without feeling lost. It effectively captures a surreal, psychedelic atmosphere reminiscent of the era, complemented by fitting music and artwork.
“The storyline was great and not cluttered, with the lack of a checklist making it easy to walk away from and easy to return to.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The narrative is filled with clichés and fails to offer any fresh perspectives.”
“It mimics the weird, surreal, LSD-crazed design that was common at the time, along with similarly LSD-crazed music, artwork, and story.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find that while the puzzles in "manglepaw" require patience, they are not overly tedious and can be solved without external help. However, the game emphasizes exploration and world-building over puzzle-solving, suggesting a lesser focus on grinding through challenges.
“The puzzles are not tedious and can all be figured out without a guide for those with patience, but 'Manglepaw' is definitely more focused on the world than the puzzles.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a standard point-and-click experience, enhanced by captivating art and music that elevate the overall immersion.
“Pretty standard point-and-click gameplay enriched with beautiful and interesting art and music.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Manglepaw is praised for its heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth, reminiscent of 1990s edutainment games, providing players with a surreal and engaging experience.
“Manglepaw is a heartfelt point-and-click adventure that offers a surreal experience reminiscent of 1990s edutainment, beautifully reflected in its visuals.”
“The emotional depth of the characters in Manglepaw truly resonates, making every decision feel impactful and personal.”
“Playing Manglepaw evokes a range of emotions, from nostalgia to joy, as it masterfully weaves storytelling with engaging gameplay.”