Meridian 157: Chapter 1
- November 11, 2019
- NovaSoft Interactive Ltd.
Get on Steam
Get on Apple Store"Meridian 157: Chapter 1" is a point-and-click adventure game where you play as a forensic meteorologist investigating a strange anomaly off the coast of Alaska. After becoming trapped in an abandoned facility on a remote sub-Arctic island, you must explore the complex, solve puzzles, and uncover the truth behind the mystery of the 157th meridian. The game features a custom soundtrack and sound effects for an immersive and creepy atmosphere.
Reviews
- Engaging and well-thought-out puzzles that range from easy to challenging, providing a satisfying experience for players.
- Intriguing story and atmosphere that keeps players invested and eager to continue through the chapters.
- Generous hint system that helps players progress without feeling overwhelmed, making the game accessible to a wider audience.
- Some puzzles lack logical coherence, leading to frustration and confusion for players trying to solve them.
- Technical issues such as game crashes and glitches can disrupt gameplay and hinder the overall experience.
- Limited movement options and a lack of a map can make navigation tedious and less enjoyable.
- story37 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as intriguing and engaging, with a mix of detailed plotlines and a light backstory that unfolds gradually. While some players appreciate the atmosphere and the connection between puzzles and narrative, others feel the story is minimal and at times overshadowed by gameplay mechanics. Overall, the narrative serves as a motivating backdrop, leaving players curious for more as they progress through the chapters.
“I will definitely try out the second chapter, since the story has me hooked!”
“The puzzles were fantastic, being a very good mix of easy and difficult ones with a large chunk being pleasantly middle-ground. The storylines are quite detailed and very interesting.”
“There is a plot that keeps you wondering and has a few 'creepy' moments.”
“There is a light backstory to the series, but it is not important to the gameplay and is dripped out very slowly.”
“The story could have been better told, but for this price, one cannot complain about that.”
“This chapter had minimal story, so you only learn a few things but nothing substantial.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some players finding them dated and lacking depth, while others praised their distinct style and clarity. Many noted issues such as glitches and a lack of engaging visuals, but a few highlighted the graphics as excellent and well-suited to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are considered decent to good, but not without their flaws.
“I liked the graphics, the music and sound were great, and it was pretty easy to understand what you needed to do.”
“Graphics is distinct and neat.”
“Great graphics and atmosphere, puzzles are just right.”
“The graphics are flat; the use of one arrow to back up and not having a map to move makes for a boring, frustrating game.”
“The graphics are starting to look dated by modern standards but are passable.”
“Graphics kept glitching where things in my inventory would disappear, and the camera to take snapshots just didn't work at all.”
- music12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback for enhancing the overall atmosphere, with many players noting its ability to complement the story and gameplay. Reviewers appreciated the varied styles, from eerie soundscapes to relaxed tunes, which effectively immerse players in the experience without being intrusive. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's mood and engagement.
“They absolutely nailed the story, atmosphere, puzzle engagement, pace, and most of all music.”
“Good mix of lighting, sound effects, and music really make you feel like you're alone (or maybe not...) in a creepy, abandoned location.”
“I loved the relaxed music while I was trying to figure out what to do.”
“Frightful music fills the game background.”
“Music feels somewhat inspired by EVE Online.”
“The graphics were fine and the music seemed to fit the mood.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its successful blend of spooky elements, well-designed backgrounds, and engaging music, creating a dark and foreboding environment. While some players noted issues with puzzle logic and control schemes, the overall ambiance remains a highlight, contributing to a compelling and immersive experience.
“Design of backgrounds and interactive objects is well thought out and adds to a dark foreboding atmosphere.”
“Puzzles are solid, the story is vague but interesting enough to make you want to learn more, and the atmosphere is perfectly spooky.”
“Great graphics and atmosphere, puzzles are just right.”
“The design of backgrounds and interactive objects is well thought out and adds to a dark, foreboding atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is successful in creating a sense of fear.”
“The atmosphere feels relaxed, but it lacks the tension needed for a gripping experience.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around engaging puzzles reminiscent of masyu, sudoku, and nonograms, complemented by a helpful hint system that maintains player momentum. While the backstory is minimal and unfolds slowly, the camera mechanic is a standout feature that enhances the experience. Overall, players appreciate the fun and variety of puzzles, though some feel the gameplay lacks depth to fully support the atmosphere and visuals.
“Really fun puzzles, and a generous hint mechanic to keep the flow so you don't lose steam.”
“If you are a fan of masyu, sudoku, or nonograms, you will absolutely adore this game, because 90% of the gameplay revolves around solving puzzles built around that sort of puzzle.”
“Honorable mention to the camera mechanic which is really well implemented; wish all puzzle games had something like that.”
“There is a light backstory to the series, but it is not important to the gameplay and is revealed very slowly.”
“If you are a fan of masyu, sudoku, or nonograms, you will absolutely adore this game, because 90% of the gameplay revolves around solving puzzles based on those types.”
“The camera mechanic is really well implemented; I wish all puzzle games had something like that.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is criticized for being fairly buggy and glitchy, with users reporting issues such as image errors and a lack of manual save options. While some players are willing to overlook these problems due to the game's price, the overall experience is hampered by these stability concerns, leading some to abandon the game altogether.
“I can forgive bugs and glitches; no game is perfect, but allowing manual saves would solve so many issues.”
“Probably won't bother finishing it as it's pretty buggy to play.”
“Glitches - in the prologue, I encountered an error with some of the images.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when puzzles feel unnecessary and require random guessing, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the storyline. Many users express frustration with the repetitive nature of certain challenges, leading some to quit the game altogether.
“There are a few that I suffered through to solve the correct format myself without any help, but it quickly just becomes tedious.”
“Puzzles for the sake of puzzles just become tedious.”
“I liked the storyline; however, I quit playing when the puzzles became completely tedious and I was having to randomly enter 5 numbers in the safe just to try to hit the right combination.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing various modes, branching storylines, and unlockable content that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many appreciate the ability to make different choices and explore alternative outcomes, enhancing the overall experience. However, some feel that once the main content is completed, the incentive to replay diminishes.
“The replay value of this game is incredible; every playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
“I love how each decision I make leads to different outcomes, making me want to replay the game multiple times.”
“With so many different character builds and story paths, I find myself coming back to this game again and again.”
“The replay value is almost non-existent; once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back.”
“After finishing the main storyline, I found no compelling reasons to replay the game, as the choices felt superficial.”
“The lack of diverse endings and minimal changes in gameplay mechanics make replaying this game feel tedious.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, including improper screen loading and frequent crashes, which detract from the overall experience.
“Unfortunately, there were some performance issues, primarily with screens not properly loading and the game frequently crashing.”
“The optimization is lacking, leading to significant frame rate drops during intense gameplay.”
“I experienced long loading times and frequent stuttering, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
