Mindlock: The Apartment
- November 26, 2024
- Roof Cut Media
Get on Steam"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.
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Mac OS
PC
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Windows
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Reviews
- The game features stunning graphics, excellent voice acting, and a well-crafted storyline that resonates with players, particularly those in their 20s and 30s.
- The puzzles are engaging and logical, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating, and the game successfully combines humor with deeper themes of personal growth and existential reflection.
- As a solo developer's first game, it impressively showcases high-quality production values, including a unique art style and a memorable soundtrack, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
- Some mechanics, such as inventory management and cursor speed, can feel clunky and detract from the overall experience, making navigation and item usage tedious at times.
- Certain timed puzzles can be frustrating, leading to repeated attempts that may disrupt the flow of the game, and some players found the hints provided to be overly intrusive.
- The story, while initially engaging, can become convoluted or dragged out in parts, with some players feeling that certain flashbacks and dramatic elements were unnecessary.
- story32 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and clever writing, blending dark humor with psychological themes that engage players on multiple levels. Reviewers highlight the well-crafted narrative, stunning artwork, and meaningful voice acting, which together create a captivating experience that resonates personally with many. While some note pacing issues and a somewhat unnecessary backstory, the overall consensus is that the story is a standout feature that elevates the game.
“The story is well-crafted, the graphics are stunning, and the music and soundtrack are absolutely spot-on.”
“Mindlock's story felt cathartic to experience, the voice acting and delivery of lines felt meaningful when it needed to be while also being really clever and self-aware.”
“I love the art style and the story which is sad, funny, loving, dark, crazy, and beautiful all at the same time.”
“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 seems to go deeper and deeper and might become therapeutic for many.”
“I'm still not sure what's really going on in the story, but I'm definitely hooked.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning and well-crafted art style, which complements the overall mood and narrative. Reviewers highlight the beautiful hand-drawn visuals, effective use of color, and the seamless integration of voice acting and music, all contributing to an immersive experience. Overall, the graphics are described as a standout feature that enhances the storytelling and emotional depth of the game.
“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 hand-drawn art style is really cool and fits the vibe of the game perfectly.”
- music10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 impressive song featured near the end. The soundtrack complements the stunning visuals and well-crafted story, showcasing the developer's dedication to creating a cohesive and emotional atmosphere. Overall, the music is described as a perfect fit for each scene, enhancing the gameplay and narrative.
“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 art, writing, music, voices, everything comes together so well into such a great and emotional experience!”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and psychological elements, providing both entertaining and thought-provoking moments. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, clever references to other media, and the ability to evoke laughter amidst a tragic narrative. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making it enjoyable and memorable, despite some critiques regarding the depth of the story.
“I struggled a little with some of the puzzles, but I'm glad I persevered as it's a beautiful yet tragic and disturbing story with some truly funny moments.”
“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.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring solvable puzzles that creatively combine sketch art and memory elements. Players appreciate the variety of gameplay segments that offer a refreshing break from the main puzzles, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience lasting around 4-5 hours. However, some users express frustration with certain mechanics.
“-4 to 5 hours of fun gameplay.”
“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.”
“I also like that the various gameplay elements in between provide a welcome change to the main puzzles.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
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. However, many report that despite these frustrations, they became engaged enough to complete the game in one sitting.
“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.”
“Combining items from your inventory with the environment is really tedious.”
“Some time-based puzzles are tedious.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its creative puzzle designs and heartwarming story, enhanced by subtle environmental details, color usage, and meaningful symbolism that convey emotional depth without excessive exposition. The integration of art, writing, music, and voice acting contributes to a cohesive and impactful emotional experience.
“Very creative puzzle designs with a heartwarming story as well.”
“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!”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its spooky and immersive qualities, effectively drawing players into its eerie world. The visual style enhances the experience, complementing the intriguing and challenging puzzles that maintain player engagement without causing frustration.
“If you like a spooky atmosphere and enjoy puzzles, I would totally recommend this.”
“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.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong character development, which effectively conveys a meaningful message, enhancing the overall experience for players.
“This game has such a good message, and I love the character development that happens!”
“The character arcs are incredibly well-written, making each character's journey feel authentic and engaging.”
“I appreciate how the game allows characters to evolve based on player choices, creating a personalized experience.”
