Mezzanine

About

Mezzanine is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Inpatient Interactive and was released on October 7, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

A psychotronic office adventure set in the heart of Multimedia Gulch on the eve of the year 2000.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

atmosphere2 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

The game effectively captures the nostalgic look and feel of the late 1990s tech culture, providing an intriguing atmosphere.
The puzzles are engaging and make players feel smart as they uncover solutions through exploration and environmental storytelling.
It's a fully free game without any hidden costs or microtransactions, showcasing the developers' confidence in their work.

The game suffers from significant technical issues, including a broken save/load function that forces players to complete it in one sitting.
Navigation can be frustrating and janky, leading to confusion about how to progress through the game.
Despite its charm, the game has a dismal public reception, with very few players engaging with it on platforms like Steam.

stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is generally considered to be quite buggy, with issues such as glitches in navigation and a malfunctioning save/load feature that can lead to frustrating experiences. Despite these stability concerns, many players find the game enjoyable and worth the time investment.
- “If I had to level any criticisms at this game, it would be two things; one is that the game is rather buggy.”
- “Definitely some rough edges... navigation sometimes glitches, and I don't seem to be able to save and reload games, so I'm starting from scratch every time.”
- “The most glaring flaw that I found is that the save/load feature doesn't seem to work; trying to load a game just freezes the program.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The graphics in the game are considered passable and could use improvement, with some reviewers noting a somewhat janky charm and a unique art style. While visuals are important in gaming, many feel that the game fails to deliver top-tier graphics alongside engaging gameplay. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed aspect that doesn't fully elevate the gaming experience.
- “And while it's vital for any game to have impressive visuals (gaming is a visual medium, after all), there's more to a game than just the graphics.”
- “Usually I wouldn't be able to sit through a game like Mezzanine, but the somewhat janky charm, great art style, and although it has little to do with the game itself and more the fact that it's rather obscure.”
- “The graphics in this game are passable, but could be better.”
- “The visuals feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
- “Character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making the game feel unrefined.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it initially challenging to navigate and buggy, yet ultimately manageable as they adapt. While the game lacks top-tier visuals and gameplay, its short length allows for complete exploration through multiple playthroughs, and it offers an engaging experience reminiscent of Myst and The Stanley Parable.
- “The actual gameplay is hard to adjust to at first, mainly in terms of navigating around the office, but eventually you get it down and it stops being a problem.”
- “Really enjoying the Myst-meets-Stanley-Parable gameplay (more Myst than Stanley Parable, but a bit of a Stanley Parable vibe).”
- “The actual gameplay is hard to adjust to at first, mainly in terms of navigating around the office, but eventually you get the hang of it and it stops being a problem.”
- “As other reviewers note, the gameplay is buggy, but the game is short and simple enough that total exploration can be achieved through multiple runthroughs.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The story critiques the eccentricities of Silicon Valley CEOs and their often unethical visions for humanity, blending dark humor with a richly detailed narrative. While some players may find the plot complex and challenging to fully grasp, it effectively replaces traditional puzzle density with a compelling and researched storyline.
- “Mezzanine replaces the density and complexity of puzzles found in Myst with a rich and darkly hilarious plot via an abundance of highly researched textual and visual arcana.”
- “The story takes a jab at loony, new-age obsessed Silicon Valley CEOs and how their ideas for progressing humanity are rarely ethical.”
- “I won't pretend like I grasped the full effect of the story, but I think it's meant to be that way.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is intricately woven into its themes, reflecting a critique of capitalism and imperialism through a lens of counter-cultural elements and societal manipulation. Players experience a blend of commercialism and ideological commentary, highlighting the pervasive influence of advertising and consumerism in a dystopian setting.
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it constantly pushes players to spend money to progress or enjoy the game fully.”
- “I find the in-game purchases to be overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend real money.”
- “The reliance on microtransactions detracts from the overall experience, turning what could be a fun game into a frustrating cash grab.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, aligning perfectly with the descriptions provided on the store page. Players appreciate the well-crafted environment that enhances their overall experience.
- “The game is well made and immersive; it really is exactly as described on the store page in terms of atmosphere.”
- “Love the atmosphere of this game.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's music effectively evokes the turn of the millennium atmosphere, particularly when players discover the mp3 player, enhancing the overall experience.
- “This game captures the look and feel of the turn of the millennium quite well, especially once the player finds the MP3 player and starts the music.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Mezzanine is characterized by its rich and darkly comedic plot, which is enhanced by a wealth of well-researched textual and visual elements, offering a refreshing contrast to the complexity of traditional puzzle games like Myst.
- “Mezzanine replaces the density and complexity of puzzles found in Myst with a rich and darkly hilarious plot, featuring an abundance of highly researched textual and visual arcana.”