MIAZMA or the Devil's Stone
- May 2, 2018
- Private Moon Studios
- 12h median play time
Get on Steam"Miazma or the Devil's Stone" is a mystery adventure game where you play as journalist Jonathan Hunt, investigating a curious disappearance and searching for clues related to a meteorite that fell centuries ago. The game features puzzle-solving, document deciphering, interviews with characters, and exploration of a top-level scientific institute. Prevent disaster by unraveling the legend of mysterious cosmic treasures and using laws of nature to escape dangerous situations.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The story is intriguing, featuring a journalist investigating a mysterious disappearance that leads to a piece of ancient meteorite.
- The game offers a variety of complex and challenging puzzles, many of which are based on scientific principles, and includes a helpful auto-save feature.
- There is a nice selection of interesting side characters and well-produced FMV elements, enhancing the overall experience.
- The English voice acting is inconsistent, with some performances feeling campy and poorly executed, detracting from the immersion.
- There are too many mundane conversations and excessive back-and-forth navigation, which can lead to boredom and frustration.
- Some puzzles, particularly towards the end, are convoluted and tedious, requiring a walkthrough to solve, which may hinder enjoyment.
- story19 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally well-received, with many players finding it intriguing and engaging, particularly appreciating the blend of puzzles and narrative. While some noted inconsistencies and a less compelling plot compared to the previous installment, the overall experience is enhanced by strong visuals, humor, and a unique setting. The dual perspective of the investigator and the missing man adds depth, making it a captivating detective story despite a slow start.
“Yoomurjak's Ring stood out to me a bit more because it featured more puzzles, a better story, and the gameplay felt like navigating Google Maps Street View.”
“I enjoyed the story, and the FMV was great.”
“The story switches between the investigator on the case and the missing man and his experiences.”
“There are some weird moments in the story that make no sense at all.”
“The end of the game is a bit too quick; the story is not as strong as Yoomurjak's.”
“Without giving too much away, the devil’s stone is a meteorite, and most of the story and puzzles concern physics and general science in a variety of specialties.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Yoomurjak's Ring is characterized by a strong emphasis on puzzles and storytelling, resembling a navigational experience akin to Google Maps' street view. However, players may find the stillshots and frequent transitions between locations disorienting, and the dialogue mechanics can be frustrating, leading some to question the overall gameplay experience. Taking notes is recommended to enhance understanding and navigation.
“Yoomurjak's Ring stood out to me a bit more because it featured more puzzles, a better story, and the gameplay felt like navigating Google Maps Street View.”
“It takes some getting used to with the still shots and constant jumping from lab to lab, and you definitely want to take notes during gameplay.”
“The dialogue mechanics are somewhat annoying.”
“I thought, is there any gameplay?”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of subtle humor and serious moments, with users noting that the funny acting and engaging story contribute to its entertainment value. While most puzzles are enjoyable, a couple may fall short, yet the overall experience remains amusing.
“I felt it was one of the ways the game entertained with subtle humor.”
“Nice story, quite funny acting, and nice puzzles except for 1-2.”
“But sometimes, it’s those very things that make them entertaining and funny to me.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are praised for their quality, particularly in relation to the visuals and videos that enhance the storyline, which focuses on Hungarian history and culture. However, while the depiction of Eger was well-explored in a previous installment, players feel that the representation of Debrecen is somewhat limited.
“The storyline is pretty interesting, and the visuals and acting are highly amusing.”
“What is better in Miazma: graphics, quality of videos, pictures, good to keep Hungarian-focused story and Hungarian famous people. Debrecen is a nice city, but we do not see too much of it, while we were able to explore Eger very well in the previous game.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game features a larger soundtrack of modern instrumental tracks that serve as enjoyable background music, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“This game has a bigger soundtrack, featuring modern instrumental tracks that I enjoyed throughout the game.”
“Nice background music.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the last six safe lock puzzles to be convoluted and tedious, contributing to a sense of grinding in the gameplay experience.
“The last six safe lock puzzles are quite convoluted and tedious.”
“Grinding feels like a never-ending chore rather than an engaging part of the game.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay invested in the story.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of character performances is adequate, with actors effectively conveying their personalities; however, players may struggle to distinguish between characters, leading to confusion throughout the game.
“The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
“I experienced long loading times that really disrupt the flow of the game, making it frustrating to play.”
“The graphics settings are poorly optimized, as even on lower settings, the game still struggles to maintain a stable frame rate.”
