Mind Over Magnet

About

Mind Over Magnet is a single player arcade platformer game. It was developed by Game Maker's Toolkit and was released on November 13, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

"Mind Over Magnet" is a puzzle-based game where players must navigate a dangerous factory using magnetic powers. Players can team up with different magnet friends, each with unique abilities, to solve over 60 single-screen puzzles. The game also includes a hidden bolt collection side quest and is currently in development by Mark Brown, creator of the Game Maker’s Toolkit YouTube channel. Note: some features and visuals may be subject to change.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,071 reviews

gameplay93 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Charming visuals and well-polished gameplay create an enjoyable experience.
Puzzles are clever and provide satisfying 'aha!' moments.
Developer commentary adds depth and insight into the game's creation process.

Game is very short, taking around 2 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
Puzzles can feel too easy and lack complexity, with many serving as tutorials rather than challenges.
The story is minimal and doesn't add much to the overall experience, leaving some players wanting more.

gameplay
327 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The gameplay of "Mind Over Magnet" is characterized by its smooth mechanics and engaging puzzle design, though many players feel it lacks depth due to its short length and the limited exploration of introduced mechanics. While the game effectively teaches players through a gradual introduction of mechanics, it often feels like a series of tutorials rather than a fully fleshed-out puzzle experience, with some mechanics underutilized and puzzles generally on the easier side. Overall, it offers a charming and polished experience, but many reviewers express a desire for more challenging content and a greater variety of puzzles to fully capitalize on its creative mechanics.
- “The gameplay is smooth, the controls are good, and the puzzles are engaging without being overly complicated.”
- “The puzzles introduce the mechanics brilliantly, with a slow ramp up of difficulty as each world progresses.”
- “Great mechanics, great mechanic introductions, and great puzzle design.”
- “The game sometimes feels like a long tutorial, constantly teaching you mechanics that never get used to their full potential.”
- “Most mechanics are only explored once or twice, making the game feel more like a showcase of mechanics than a puzzle game where they are meant to be understood and used.”
- “There wasn't that much content; half of the levels were 'tutorial' levels that introduced you to a new concept or mechanic, which led to the game being way too simple.”
story
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
74%
5%
The story in this puzzle game is generally described as simplistic and minimal, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciated its charm and humor, many felt it lacked depth and engagement, with a few noting that it could have benefited from more development or context. Overall, the narrative is seen as a secondary element, with the game's strength lying in its puzzle design and visual appeal.
- “The story, though very simple, did its job and moved the game along nicely.”
- “The characters have humor and personality, with dialogue that leads you through the story at a good pace.”
- “The game is very well made: the graphics are good, the music is phenomenal, the puzzles are well designed, the story is simple but fun, and mechanics are very well introduced.”
- “The story is there... it's too simplistic for it to add anything but an intermission between worlds.”
- “The plot itself is basic to the point of being forgettable, and the puzzles, while well-designed, are also remarkably much simpler than other puzzle games.”
- “The story contributes nothing to the gameplay.”
music
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
29%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its chill, soothing quality that complements the gameplay. While some found the soundtrack catchy and immersive, a few mentioned issues with repetitiveness and looping, leading to a desire to mute it during longer sessions. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its polished presentation and charming atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack was chill and fit the mood.”
- “The music fits the leisurely gameplay perfectly.”
- “The art and music are detailed and interesting enough to give a sense of setting, without being distracting.”
- “The one thing I did feel was a bit off was the music, but that might be due to personal taste.”
- “Apart from the puzzle design, the music is very repetitive and got a bit jarring for me very soon into the game, and I ended up turning it off after the first world.”
- “I definitely have some problems with it, such as a lack of really challenging levels, the drill sound effect drilling into my skull, and the music being a bit stagnant and never looping properly.”
graphics
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their clean, polished, and charming art style, which combines vector visuals with a cozy aesthetic. While many reviewers appreciate the cute character designs and immersive soundtrack, some note that the visuals can lack personality or depth, and the overall experience may feel simplistic or reminiscent of older flash games. Despite these critiques, the visuals effectively complement the clever puzzle mechanics, creating an engaging and enjoyable atmosphere.
- “The game's adorable visuals, crisp design, and catchy soundtrack come together beautifully, complementing a series of clever puzzles that are packed with satisfying 'aha!' moments.”
- “The graphics are charming and pleasant to the eyes, and the calm background music sets the perfect tone for the gameplay.”
- “The art style is fantastic, the music is very fitting, and the gameplay is engaging enough that it warranted a second playthrough from me.”
- “It's charming, but it has no substance beyond that - the visuals are bland and never really stood out.”
- “The art style is clean but lacks personality; the story is cute but forgettable, and the puzzles are designed really well so no one gets stuck, but this makes them too simple.”
- “The interface, aesthetics, and game feel don't do it any favors either.”
replayability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily offering only developer commentary as a reason to revisit it. Players express disappointment over the absence of a level editor or workshop integration, which could have significantly enhanced replay value. The short playtime of around 1-2 hours further contributes to the perception that the game lacks substantial content for multiple playthroughs.
- “The developer commentary for beating the game adds some replayability as well as gives good insight into the choices and decisions made for the game.”
- “The game would also have a lot of potential for replayability if a level editor or workshop for custom levels were to be added in a future update.”
- “So in that simplicity, I think it has inherent replay value, sort of like, again, a YouTube video.”
- “There is no level editor and limited replayability (second playthrough with developer commentary enabled).”
- “The game would also have a lot of potential for replayability if a level editor/workshop for custom levels were to be added in a future update.”
- “I finished it in under two hours, and considering that there's no real replay value aside from a developer commentary... hard to justify the price tag.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the wholesome visuals and clever puzzle design that can evoke feelings of accomplishment, others find the overall plot forgettable and the emotional depth lacking. The game is perceived as more of a structured experience akin to homework rather than one driven by passion, leading to a sense of disappointment in its emotional engagement.
- “The amount of times that Mark whiffs by in a sentence or two that which took hours or even days of work that you and I will never be privy to the emotional minutia of is really striking.”
- “I would not say it is memorable, but it comes across as relatively wholesome.”
- “Nice game with wholesome visuals.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever puzzles, cheeky interactions, and a light-hearted narrative that keeps players engaged. Many reviewers noted moments of genuine laughter, particularly from character dialogue and unexpected plot twists, contributing to an enjoyable experience. Overall, the game successfully blends fun mechanics with a playful sense of humor, making it memorable and entertaining.
- “Overall, an enjoyable game with fun mechanics and humor.”
- “We were all still laughing at [i]untitled goose game[/i] for days.”
- “Funny little game with some very clever puzzles.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
11%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its light, casual, and playful vibe, enhanced by charming visuals and effective music. Players appreciate the clean vector art and purposeful UI, which contribute to a calm and focused experience. While the puzzles are engaging, some users noted minor confusion due to the art, but overall, the atmosphere remains a highlight of the gameplay.
- “Great experience, nice atmosphere, cute visuals, and clever puzzles.”
- “Mark Brown's overall brand aesthetic of incredibly clean vector art visuals and clear and purposeful UI creates an atmosphere of calm, focus, and delightful gameplay.”
- “Lovely and playful atmosphere.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game is praised for its exceptional stability, running smoothly on various platforms including desktop PCs and the Steam Deck, with users reporting no bugs or glitches. Overall, it offers a solid and enjoyable experience, highlighting its reliability as a well-crafted puzzle game.
- “It also runs great on desktop PCs, handhelds like the Steam Deck, and probably your old toaster too.”
- “With constant sales and a bug-free, whole experience, this game is a fun package that is simply a good puzzle game. GMTK set out to do this, and I can say they achieved it.”
- “A solid bug-free experience with clean art and sound design.”
- “I do have to say though, it's certainly not a game-breaking issue in the slightest. If I were given a choice in his position, to have keyboard aiming and mouse aiming, but I only had enough time for one, or if it were implemented and it was too buggy, and I was on a time limit, I would likely make the same choice he did and opt for the mouse aim.”
- “I'm not talking about bugs and glitches, mind you, I never ran into a single one.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
86%
Reviews indicate that while grinding in games can often feel tedious, a well-balanced approach can enhance the experience. Players appreciate when games maintain a concise length that avoids repetitiveness, favoring engaging problem-solving over unnecessary complexity. However, some express disappointment when final challenges do not meet expectations, suggesting a desire for more substantial concluding puzzles.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “Some of the puzzles were more timing-based, others seemed needlessly tedious, and I was just impatiently waiting for the game to focus more on problem solving than understanding new mechanics.”
- “Especially the final puzzle was a little disappointing; I was expecting one final challenge to really get your gears grinding, but only got a pretty 'average' one.”
- “It was quite a bit shorter than I expected or hoped, but I'd rather have a short and sweet game than a long tedious one.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming character designs and engaging dialogue, which contribute to a fun and appealing aesthetic. While the story may be simple, it effectively enhances the overall experience, drawing in players even those who typically do not favor puzzle games.
- “Once again, I'd just like to call out the really charming character design and dialogue.”
- “The character designs and story, while simple, are fun and very charming.”
- “I'm not a massive puzzle game guy usually, but the devlog and character designs really made me want to try out this one!”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The monetization strategy is well-received, as it gradually increases in difficulty without aggressively pushing players towards microtransactions, allowing for a more enjoyable experience.
- “It gently ramps up in difficulty while also not trying to drain you of money from microtransactions during your time playing.”
- “The game feels like a constant push towards spending money, making it hard to enjoy without feeling pressured to buy something.”
- “I appreciate that it doesn't aggressively push microtransactions, but the overall monetization strategy still feels exploitative.”
- “While the gameplay is enjoyable, the monetization tactics are frustrating and often overshadow the experience.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, featuring stellar graphics and performance that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the vibrant art style and enjoyable soundtrack, contributing to a short yet delightful gameplay experience.
- “It is a short, enjoyable, colorful game with really nice music and performance.”
- “Pros: the art style is fantastic, the soundtrack is fun, and both graphics and performance are stellar.”