Get on Steam"MARE is a single-player Point and Click VR game with stunning graphics, where you play as a mysterious artificial bird on a puzzling adventure to guide and protect a vulnerable AI companion. Immerse yourself in 8 chapters of strange and beautiful landscapes, searching for lost artifacts to unlock the world's final secret. Winner of the 2021 Upload Awards - Hidden Gem, MARE is a breathtaking and astonishing journey that will enamor you from beginning to end ."
Reviews
- The game features a striking atmosphere and beautiful visuals, reminiscent of classic titles like ICO and Shadow of the Colossus.
- The gameplay offers a unique and relaxing experience with simple, intuitive mechanics that allow players to explore at their own pace.
- It has moments of real beauty and mystery, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy atmospheric adventures.
- The gameplay is overly simplistic and can feel tedious, with repetitive mechanics and a lack of challenge.
- The pacing is slow, which can be frustrating, especially with the companion character's constant interruptions and the need to wait for her actions.
- The story is obscure and may leave players feeling unsatisfied, particularly with the ending that requires collecting all collectibles for a different outcome.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simple point-and-click mechanics and a relaxed pace, which some players found enjoyable but ultimately lacking in challenge and depth. While the beautiful environments and unique electro-punk design enhance the experience, many reviewers noted that the gameplay feels lightweight and could benefit from more interactivity and variety in puzzles. Overall, it offers a serene journey through a visually appealing world, but may not satisfy those seeking a more engaging or complex gameplay experience.
“Very nice art style, relaxing gameplay.”
“A modern VR take on the point-and-click genre where you, a mechanical bird, indirectly guide a little girl through a mysterious and serene world.”
“Interesting, albeit lightweight, gameplay where you can take your time progressing through the world and solving the puzzles without much stress.”
“I could have done with it being a little shorter, and there's no way I'm going to go back through it to find all the collectibles to unlock the 'secret ending.' This may just be my own damage as a parent of three children, but the central mechanic of waiting for a child to slowly do the thing you want them to do while they repeat the same sounds constantly was pretty grating by the end.”
“The gameplay is extremely simple (point and click, find the right path), at least in the start.”
“Still feel it's a lovely experience, don't regret the purchase or the time visiting this world, would have preferred more interactivity/puzzles and more variety of gameplay to flesh things out.”
- story14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story is described as atmospheric and mysterious, conveyed without words, which enhances the overall experience despite its simplicity and lightness. Players noted that the narrative progression is well-paced, though it primarily involves moving between points and interacting with objects. While the story may lack depth, it complements the game's art style and immersive environment.
“The story progression I found quite mysterious and well-paced.”
“The story is also on the lighter side but fits well with the whole mysterious experience.”
“The story is conveyed without words and it is very obscure.”
“The basic story is not much more than jumping from one point to another, occasionally triggering an object and waiting for the result.”
“I went ahead to finish the basic story with most collectibles achieved in three hours.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful, stylized visuals and atmospheric art style, which complement the soothing soundtrack and enhance the overall experience. However, some users noted that character animations, particularly for the main character, could be improved, with one reviewer highlighting a low-poly design that detracts from the visual quality. Overall, while the art direction is well-received, there are mixed feelings about character animation and detail.
“Atmospheric adventure with great art style and an obscure story.”
“Audio, visuals, and cinematic scenes are top notch!”
“Beautiful stylized visuals that are perfectly matched with a soothing ambient soundtrack.”
“The graphics are incredibly outdated, making the game feel like it belongs in a different era.”
“The visuals lack detail and polish, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The art style is inconsistent and often feels rushed, leaving the game looking unfinished.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique "electro-punk" design and striking art style, creating an eerily beautiful world that captivates players. Despite its slow pacing and simple mechanics, the obscure story and immersive environment keep players engaged, drawing comparisons to iconic titles like Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.
“Atmospheric adventure with great art style and an obscure story.”
“A striking atmospheric game that puts you in an eerily beautiful world that is reminiscent of the likes of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.”
“This weird atmosphere is what kept me hooked despite the game's extremely slow pacing, easy puzzles, and almost entirely point-and-click gameplay.”
“Love the atmosphere and the 'electro-punk' design of the world while the mechanics are fairly unique and interesting, although very simple and non-challenging.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its beautiful, soothing ambient soundtrack that complements the stylized visuals, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Specific tracks like "music box" and "blue ring cathedral" are highlighted, although some users noted issues with shadows not appearing until a reload.
“The beautiful stylized visuals are perfectly matched with a soothing ambient soundtrack.”
“The music box and blue ring cathedral create an enchanting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“The music is beautiful and stylized, perfectly matched with a soothing ambient soundtrack.”
“The music box and blue ring cathedral sections were disappointing; shadows did not appear until I reloaded the game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, as it often requires them to relive experiences that initially felt enjoyable but quickly become monotonous.
“Trying again means repeating the same experience that was enjoyable once, but it quickly becomes boring and tedious the second time around.”
“The grinding feels like a never-ending cycle of repetition, stripping away any excitement and making the game feel like a chore.”
“What started as a fun challenge has turned into a monotonous grind that drains all the enjoyment from the gameplay.”
