Mind Scanners
- November 30, 2021
- The Outer Zone
- 3h median play time
A compelling cyberpunk story told in an imaginative way, and one that will really test your moral compass.
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Get on Epic Games Store"Mind Scanners" is a psychiatry simulation set in a retro-futuristic, dystopian metropolis called The Structure. As a mind scanner, you'll diagnose and treat citizens using unique arcade-style devices, while managing your time and resources to maintain balance. Face moral dilemmas, join or report the resistance group Moonrise, and gain The Structure's trust to reunite with your daughter in this immersive and thought-provoking game.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Tablet
Xbox
Reviews
- Unique and engaging gameplay that combines mini-games with a compelling narrative.
- Rich world-building and character development, making each patient feel memorable and significant.
- Thought-provoking themes surrounding mental health, morality, and the consequences of one's choices.
- Repetitive gameplay loop with mini-games that can become tedious over time.
- Lack of clear instructions for mini-games, leading to confusion and frustration.
- The story feels shallow and predictable, with limited impact from player choices on the overall narrative.
- story371 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Mind Scanners" is a blend of intriguing character arcs and a dystopian backdrop, drawing comparisons to games like "Papers, Please." While many players appreciate the rich narratives of individual patients and the moral dilemmas presented, some criticize the overarching plot as shallow and repetitive, often feeling disconnected from the gameplay. Overall, the game offers a unique experience with multiple endings, though its execution may leave some players wanting more depth and engagement.
“All-in-all, this game is a wonderful experience, and tells a fun and unique story that I will enjoy replaying for all the endings.”
“The dynamic, the variety of endings, but mostly the rich story makes Mindscanners one of my favorite games ever.”
“The games both tell a story of a member of an oppressive authoritarian system infiltrating that system for the sake of their family, getting to choose loyalty to the state, loyalty to the rebellion, or loyalty to no one but their own cause.”
“The story also isn't substantial enough to justify how mind-numbing the gameplay loop is.”
“There are many plot holes that are not covered during the thirty days that the game runs.”
“The gameplay can get a little repetitive, but really that boils down to how you treat your patients, and how you treat your patients affects the story, along with if you decide to align with the structure or moonrise.”
- gameplay320 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and tedious due to its reliance on simplistic mini-games that can feel disconnected from the narrative. While some appreciate the unique mechanics and the engaging story, others criticize the gameplay loop as dull and lacking depth, leading to a lack of replayability. Overall, the game is seen as a hidden gem for its aesthetics and character charm, but it may not satisfy those primarily seeking stimulating gameplay.
“Felt very lucky that I picked this game up, the satisfying gameplay loop and multiple endings captured my attention for hours.”
“Great game - gameplay is tense and well balanced.”
“I love the story and the gameplay a lot, there are multiple endings you can try for and each of them are interesting.”
“The core gameplay loop is dull, boring, and repetitive.”
“Ultimately, the gameplay feels more tedious to me than fun, but other than that, it's a very cool story, has beautiful art, and a cool world to read about.”
“Gameplay is mostly boring, repetitive puzzles to pad a thin storyline you've played before.”
- graphics130 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique pixel art style that effectively captures a bleak, dystopian sci-fi atmosphere, reminiscent of retro aesthetics and 80s synth culture. While opinions vary on the overall appeal of the art style, many reviewers appreciate its distinctiveness and how it complements the game's themes and narrative. The visuals are often described as beautiful and atmospheric, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics.
“The graphics are beautiful in this strange, pixelated way.”
“It's a unique spin on cyberpunk and Blade Runner aesthetics, with oddly specific, esoteric and minimalist devices in bright orange colors that give an other-worldly and vintage sci-fi feel which I think is very cool.”
“Mind scanners is a perfect blend of futuristic cybernetic aesthetic mixed with the style of fast-paced puzzle gaming.”
“Graphics and UI and other elements are a complete ripoff of 'Papers, Please.'”
“But graphics and music don't outweigh the obnoxious minigames that force you to learn as you go, with arbitrary 'help' information in your user manual, and some items being borderline useless.”
“Nothing to praise outside of art style and the whole aesthetic (which is not exactly genuine).”
- music78 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its retro synth style, effectively enhancing the dystopian atmosphere and overall aesthetic. While some players noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive, many found it compelling enough to warrant purchasing the original soundtrack. Overall, the combination of music, sound design, and pixel art contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The music and sound design are great as well.”
“The dystopian setting and carefully crafted music really help to set the mood.”
“The art, the music, the dialog, the story; all great.”
“Soundtrack is repetitive and boring.”
“But graphics and music don't outweigh the obnoxious minigames that force you to learn as you go, with arbitrary 'help' information in your user manual, and some items being borderline useless.”
“So kudos to that, I'd buy the soundtrack if I could return the game...”
- replayability44 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the multiple endings, branching pathways, and unique character interactions that encourage several playthroughs, while others find the gameplay loop tedious and limiting. Many reviews suggest that while the game can be replayed 3-4 times to explore different outcomes, its relatively short length and certain gameplay mechanics may hinder long-term engagement. Overall, it offers decent replay value, particularly for those who enjoy character-driven narratives and management elements.
“It also includes light branching pathways with a relatively short playtime, multiple endings, and numerous interactions per character, boosting replay value considerably.”
“It has high replayability, not just because the machines are fun to use, but because there are so many unique characters; meeting and treating them all is impossible in just one playthrough.”
“Enjoyed the emotional and moral complexities that this game's society and mechanics introduce, and I'm finding a lot of replay value in exploring all those options.”
“Replayability: 2/10 (not as replayable as Papers, Please)”
“Although I finished it 3 times (1 normal, 2 easy) because I wanted to see the other endings, there is barely any actual replayability.”
“It has no replayability because of the debilitating gameplay loop; I understand it's part of 'making a point' in the story with what your character does, but gosh that's too pedantic.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with players experiencing both heartwarming moments and intense stress due to time pressure in decision-making. While the game features well-developed characters that evoke empathy and moral dilemmas, some players found the emotional depth lacking, particularly in key relationships, leading to a sense of disappointment. Overall, the narrative's emotional complexity and personal stories are appreciated, but the repetitive nature of encounters can detract from the overall experience.
“The funny characters added some nice humor to the game, while more somber characters really made you feel for them, and helping them through their grief was incredibly heartwarming and satisfying.”
“Hearing about how well or bad they're doing after you treat them is the most effective part of the game and can be genuinely heartwarming or horrifying.”
“Enjoyed the emotional and moral complexities that this game's society and mechanics introduce, and I'm finding a lot of replay value in exploring all those options.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly during mini-games and when managing the personality gauge. While some mini-games are enjoyable, the overall gameplay can feel dragged out, especially on easier modes, leading to a sense of monotony. Despite these criticisms, players appreciate the game's story, art, and world-building, which help mitigate the grinding experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Ultimately, the gameplay feels more tedious to me than fun, but other than that, it's a very cool story, has beautiful art, and a cool world to read about.”
“Because the majority of the game time is spent doing these mini games, it really started to get tedious by the end.”
“I'm a big fan of pp, so I'm quite used to autonomy and monotony, however this game is just tedious.”
- humor22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of humor through its quirky characters and witty dialogue, often balancing silliness with more serious themes, creating a heartwarming experience. Players appreciate the funny lore and the comedic elements, particularly from a charming companion character and various humorous patient interactions. However, the humor is described as light and not particularly deep, making it suitable for those looking for a fun, casual gaming experience.
“The funny characters added some nice humor to the game, while more somber characters really made you feel for them, and helping them through their grief was incredibly heartwarming and satisfying.”
“Very cool and retro futuristic, sprinkled with little bits of humor.”
“Really like the characters, and the little Siri-like companion made me laugh on multiple occasions.”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its unique and engaging qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its strong aesthetic and world-building details. While some comparisons to "Papers, Please" suggest it doesn't quite reach the same atmospheric heights, the overall ambiance, music, and storytelling contribute to a deeply immersive experience. The dystopian setting and consistent graphics further enhance the game's atmospheric appeal.
“Deeply atmospheric, a great story -- this thing is fantastic.”
“The aesthetic is on point and the dystopic universe all around it is absolutely atmospheric.”
“More than any other issue was just the lack of atmosphere provided by Papers, Please.”
“The atmosphere of the game is weird, but in a very good way.”
- character development4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and intricacy, with significant effort evident in the character designs, world-building, and writing. The combination of excellent art and animation enhances the immersive experience, making the characters feel well-crafted and engaging.
“Lots of work clearly went into the character designs, world building, and writing, and it makes for an awesome and immersive game.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on its solid story and replayability features, such as the day limit and multiple endings.
