Mind Over Magnet

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 765 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
Mind Over Magnet Game Cover
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"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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 765 reviews
gameplay77 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The game features clever puzzles that provide satisfying 'aha!' moments.
  • The art style and music create a charming and enjoyable atmosphere.
  • The hint system is well-implemented, allowing players to get nudges without giving away full solutions.
  • The game is very short, typically taking only 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
  • Many puzzles are too easy, lacking the challenge that seasoned puzzle gamers might expect.
  • The story feels minimal and underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more narrative depth.
  • gameplay252 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its charming mechanics and clever puzzle design, effectively introducing new elements at a steady pace. While the interactions are engaging and the visuals are appealing, many players feel that the game is too short and lacks depth, with several mechanics introduced but not fully explored. Overall, it offers a polished experience that is enjoyable, though some players desire more complex challenges and a greater variety of levels to fully utilize the game's mechanics.

    • “It does a great job of exploring its mechanical possibilities and introducing new mechanics periodically.”
    • “The mechanics are well executed, and the puzzles are all very manageable.”
    • “The puzzles introduce the mechanics brilliantly, with a slow ramp up of difficulty as each world progresses.”
    • “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.”
    • “Most mechanics are only explored once or twice (e.g. colliding magnets), making the game feel more like a showcase of mechanics than a puzzle game where they are meant to be understood and used.”
    • “The game struggles to construct anything complex, favoring introducing a new mechanic every few levels—mechanics which, due to their lack of much depth, are quickly supplemented by new ones.”
  • music109 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to complement the leisurely gameplay, creating a relaxing atmosphere that enhances the puzzle-solving experience. While many reviewers found the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting, some noted that it could become repetitive or grating during longer play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its overall polish and aesthetic.

    • “The music fits the leisurely gameplay perfectly.”
    • “The music is lovely, the story is intriguing and relevant to today's discussions about AI, the sound effects are super satisfying, the game is super polished, it's great.”
    • “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 music also has a very jarring loop point which does this game no favors, and the sounds lean too heavily into the mechanical side of things, so expect the sound of drills repeatedly.”
    • “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.”
  • story109 mentions

    The story in the game is generally considered minimal and often feels like an afterthought, serving primarily to provide context for the puzzles rather than offering depth or engagement. While some players appreciate the charm and lightheartedness of the narrative, many find it shallow and lacking in substance, with suggestions that it could have been omitted entirely without detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game excels in puzzle design and visuals, but the story does not significantly enhance the gameplay.

    • “The story and characters were very simple, but charming.”
    • “The story is very light, enough to keep you moving forward, and a bit of humor throughout.”
    • “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 thin.”
    • “The story contributes nothing to the gameplay.”
    • “The game doesn't have much in the way of story, which is a bit unfortunate.”
  • graphics79 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and polished art style, featuring clean vector visuals and cute character designs that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the aesthetic appeal and cohesive sound design, which complement the gameplay effectively. However, some critiques mention that while the visuals are pleasant, they can feel simplistic or bland, lacking depth in certain areas.

    • “Wonderful little puzzle game, very polished gameplay and beautiful vector art graphics.”
    • “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 to the gameplay.”
    • “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, 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.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily offering developer commentary as the main incentive for replaying. Players note that its short duration and lack of additional content, such as a level editor, diminish its long-term appeal. While some appreciate the simplicity and mechanics, many feel the price does not justify the minimal replay value.

    • “So in that simplicity, I think it has inherent replay value, sort of like, again, a YouTube video.”
    • “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.”
    • “- 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.”
    • “Took me just under 90 minutes and I don't see much replay value, but I think it explored its mechanics well.”
    • “In the end, it is a fairly short game, and doesn't have a lot of replay value, so that is something to consider.”
    • “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.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for its cleverness and charm, contributing to an enjoyable experience filled with cheeky moments and engaging interactions. Players appreciate the light-hearted dialogue and character personalities, which enhance the overall fun of the puzzle-solving mechanics. Despite some unconventional elements, such as dark humor in certain puzzles, the game successfully maintains a playful tone that resonates with players, making it memorable and entertaining.

    • “Overall, an enjoyable game with fun mechanics and humor.”
    • “We were all still laughing at Untitled Goose Game for days.”
    • “The characters have humor and personality, with dialogue that leads you through the story at a good pace.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is described as relatively wholesome, with visuals that contribute to a pleasant experience, though it lacks memorable moments. Players appreciate the cleverness of the puzzles, which evoke feelings of accomplishment, but some feel the overall design lacks passion, resembling more of a homework assignment than a fun endeavor.

    • “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.”
    • “Even the more simple ones made me feel clever for figuring them out, which is a testament to how well the game teaches its mechanics.”
    • “I've only finished three worlds so far, but there's been one real stumper of a puzzle that made me feel like a genius once I figured it out.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its great music, cute visuals, and a calm, focused aesthetic created by clean vector art. While some reviewers noted that the story could have been stronger, the overall experience is described as delightful, with interesting puzzles that complement the lovely and playful ambiance. Backgrounds contribute significantly to the game's atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Perhaps what it lacks is more of an atmosphere.”
    • “I did have one puzzle where I got confused by the art, but overall it does a good job presenting the puzzles clearly while giving a bit of atmosphere.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, users report a stable experience with the game, particularly praising its performance on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly without any noticeable bugs or glitches. The game is described as providing a solid, bug-free experience, complemented by clean art and sound design.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “A solid bug-free experience with clean art and sound design.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “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 only had enough time for one, or if it were implemented and it was too buggy, 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.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some puzzles can feel tedious and timing-based, the game maintains a balance by being concise and avoiding excessive repetition. Many appreciate its shorter length, preferring a brief but engaging experience over a drawn-out one, though some express disappointment with the final challenge not being as stimulating as anticipated.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is satisfying, with each level-up feeling like a significant achievement.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels tedious and always keeps me engaged.”
    • “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 development4 mentions

    Reviewers highlight the charming character design and engaging dialogue, noting that the art style and character aesthetics contribute significantly to the overall appeal. While the story and character development may be simple, they are described as fun and inviting, effectively drawing players into the experience.

    • “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!”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, featuring fantastic art style, enjoyable soundtrack, and stellar graphics and performance.

    • “The art style was fantastic, the soundtrack was fun, and both the graphics and performance were stellar.”
    • “The optimization of the game allows for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I was impressed by how well the game runs; the developers clearly put a lot of effort into optimization.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is well-received, as it gradually increases in difficulty without aggressively pushing microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling financially pressured.

    • “It gently ramps up in difficulty while also not trying to drain you of money from microtransactions during your time playing.”
    • “It gently ramps up in difficulty while also not trying to drain you of money from microtransactions through your time playing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

3hMedian play time
103hAverage play time
2-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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