Mindlock: The Apartment

About

"Mindlock: The Apartment" is a horror-adventure game where Colin's apartment mysteriously transforms into a labyrinth, with surreal phenomena challenging his worldview. As you navigate through the ever-changing room, solve puzzles, uncover cryptic messages, and confront emotional challenges to help Colin escape his nightmare and discover a new meaning to his life. The game features over 4 hours of fully soundtracked and professionally dubbed dialogues.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 164 reviews

story41 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics, excellent voice acting, and a well-crafted storyline that resonates with players, particularly those facing personal struggles.
The puzzles are interesting and logical, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating, and the art style and music enhance the overall experience.
As a solo developer's first game, it impressively combines humor, dark themes, and relatable character development, making it a memorable and thought-provoking adventure.

Some mechanics, such as cursor speed and inventory management, can feel clunky and detract from the overall gameplay experience.
Certain timed puzzles can be frustrating, leading to repeated attempts that may disrupt the flow of the game.
The protagonist's character can be perceived as insufferable by some players, and there are instances of poorly implemented puzzles that may require external guides to solve.

story
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
The game's story is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and clever writing, blending dark humor with psychological themes that resonate with players. Many reviewers highlight the well-crafted narrative that explores life choices and expectations, alongside stunning graphics and voice acting that enhance the experience. While some note pacing issues and a somewhat convoluted backstory, the overall consensus is that the story is engaging, thought-provoking, and a key reason to play the game.
- “The story is well-crafted, the graphics are stunning, and the music and soundtrack are absolutely spot-on.”
- “What makes it really great is the life-philosophical story behind it and how it makes you feel for the main character.”
- “The story was actually so insanely good and had me thinking and pondering at every turn.”
- “The ending was funny, and as it turns out, was hinted at all the time, but the dramatic backstory was pretty pointless and the story would have worked without it.”
- “The story gets kinda interrupted by flashbacks.”
- “I'm still not sure what's really going on in the story, but I'm definitely hooked.”
graphics
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
27%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning and well-crafted art style, which effectively complements the overall mood and narrative. Reviewers highlight the beautiful hand-drawn visuals, cartoonish aesthetics, and the seamless integration of music and voice acting, all contributing to a captivating experience. Overall, the graphics are described as flawless, enhancing the game's emotional depth and storytelling.
- “The story is well-crafted, the graphics are stunning, and the music and soundtrack are absolutely spot-on.”
- “The hand-drawn art style is really cool and fits the vibe of the game perfectly.”
- “Everything is very well done, from the voice acting, to the genre-typical puzzles, to the music, to the graphics.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
45%
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and integration with the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting standout tracks, including an original song that features a music video. The soundtrack is described as perfectly suited to each scene, enhancing the emotional depth of the story and complementing the stunning graphics and engaging puzzles. Overall, the dedication of the single developer to create a memorable musical experience has been noted as a significant aspect of the game's appeal.
- “The story is well-crafted, the graphics are stunning, and the music and soundtrack are absolutely spot-on.”
- “The art style is great, the music is good, and the voice actors did a great job as well.”
- “The artstyle was on point, the music was perfect for every scene, the puzzles while difficult were not impossible to solve, and the story was up there with games like 'In Sound Mind'.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a blend of dark humor and psychological horror, complemented by a poignant story that offers both entertainment and depth. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, clever references, and the ability to evoke laughter amidst a tragic narrative. Overall, the humor, combined with engaging voice acting and a unique art style, enhances the gaming experience, making it both enjoyable and reflective.
- “It features a nice art style, funny lines, and moments, all embedded in a deeper message about living one's life.”
- “I've been positively surprised by the great humor and voice acting, which really help keep the experience enjoyable.”
- “The story is reflective, uplifting, and at times, delightfully funny.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, achieved through creative puzzle designs, a heartwarming story, and subtle environmental details, including color and symbolism. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of art, writing, and music, creating a wholesome and impactful experience that resonates with players, particularly young to middle-aged adults. Overall, it is recommended for its ability to evoke strong emotions without excessive exposition.
- “Subtle details in the environment, the use of color, and meaningful symbolism make the emotional depth tangible without lengthy explanations.”
- “The art, writing, music, voices, everything comes together so well into such a great and emotional experience!”
- “I think this game captures an emotional state many young to middle-aged adults are locked into right now.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players enjoying the integration of sketch art and memory puzzles, as well as the variety of gameplay elements that offer a refreshing break from the main puzzles. However, others express frustration with certain mechanics, leading to a negative overall impression of the gameplay experience. The game typically offers around 4-5 hours of playtime.
- “I also like that the various gameplay bits in between provide a welcome change to the main puzzles.”
- “-4-5 hours of fun gameplay.”
- “But the terrible, monstrous gameplay just kills the whole impression of the game.”
- “My only frustrations were with some of the mechanics.”
- “The puzzles are solvable, and I especially loved the combination of sketch art and memory puzzles integrated into the gameplay.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly due to slow walk speeds and the cumbersome process of combining items with the environment. While some initially felt frustrated, many reported becoming more engaged as they progressed, ultimately completing the game in one sitting.
- “Combining items from your inventory with the environment is really tedious.”
- “Some time-based puzzles are tedious.”
- “My last comment would be that the walk speed is a bit slow, so having a double click to fast travel would have made moving between rooms a bit less tedious.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its spooky and creepy elements, effectively immersing players in a visually captivating world. Reviewers highlight that this eerie ambiance enhances the overall experience, complementing the challenging yet enjoyable puzzles.
- “The atmosphere and visual style were perfect from start to finish, drawing me further into the world with every scene.”
- “The game has a strange and creepy atmosphere that keeps you curious, and the puzzles are challenging but not frustrating.”
- “If you like a spooky atmosphere and you enjoy puzzles, I would totally recommend this.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its strong character development, which effectively conveys a positive message throughout the narrative. Players appreciate the depth and growth of the characters as the story unfolds.
- “This game has such a good message, and I love the character development that happens!”