Mirrored: Chapter 1
- October 29, 2015
- Jet Stone Studios
- 2h median play time
"Mirrored: Chapter 1" is a 3D point-and-click adventure puzzle game that begins with Rob searching his brother Nick's office for a hidden mask, after receiving a distressed message. The game features cinematic 2D cut-scenes that add to the storyline. As Rob delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers a newspaper article about a dead man and the importance of the mask, but Nick remains missing. This is the first chapter in a trilogy of escape-the-room style games.
Reviews
- The game features good graphics and an intriguing story that draws players in.
- Puzzles are generally well-designed, providing a mix of challenge and satisfaction.
- The atmosphere is engaging, with a nice blend of sound and visuals that enhance the experience.
- The game is very short, often completed in under an hour, leaving players wanting more.
- There is no continuation of the story, as the developer has not released further chapters, making it feel incomplete.
- Some puzzles can be overly cryptic or frustrating, leading to a reliance on walkthroughs.
- story64 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as intriguing and atmospheric, with a promising setup involving twin brothers and a mysterious conspiracy. However, it ends on a frustrating cliffhanger without resolution, leaving players disappointed due to the lack of a sequel or further chapters. While the narrative shows potential, many reviewers express concern over its incomplete nature and the likelihood that the story will remain unresolved.
“The story is mysterious and looks very interesting.”
“Nice one-room-puzzler that'll tickle your brain while introducing an intriguing story involving a pair of twin brothers fighting what looks to be a sinister conspiracy.”
“The game had a very tense atmosphere which really added to the experience, and the story behind the game is gripping.”
“If you can forgive the cliffhanger ending that you know will never be resolved, then by all means get this game (on sale, naturally... I mean, it is only an hour long game, and the second time around I did it in about half an hour, and the story for all intents and purposes just ends).”
“The downside... the game was deliberately made incomplete, perhaps with the hope it would somehow be successful enough for them to be able to finish the story, or maybe it's just a lazy cash grab, who knows.”
“Chapter 1 ends on a pretty bad cliffhanger and it's a disappointment that we don't get any conclusion to the story, because it started out pretty interesting.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users appreciating the art style and the quality of the visuals, including well-designed cutscenes and a nice 3D environment. While some describe the graphics as decent but not groundbreaking, others highlight the stunning artwork and immersive atmosphere that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's appeal, despite some critiques regarding the interface and gameplay.
“On the upside, 3D graphics are a welcome change from the usual 2D/retro/low-fi point and click games we usually get.”
“Firstly, the artwork and soundtrack to this game are simply stunning.”
“It's nice to have an interactive 3D environment and the artwork is a good standard.”
“If that doesn't bother you, aside from the graphics and audio, the gameplay is lackluster and mediocre at best; there are far more interesting point and clicks to delve into.”
“A decent escape room game with graphic-novel style cutscenes.”
“Main gameplay is okay but nothing extraordinary; what stands out is the great-looking painterly cinematics, I dig this art style :)”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its mysterious, creepy, and thrilling qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience. Users highlight the successful integration of music and sound effects, which contribute to a suspenseful ambiance that keeps players engaged and on edge. The combination of intriguing story elements and well-crafted cutscenes further enriches the atmospheric depth, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The atmosphere is interesting and creepy enough where I kept turning around to make sure the green painting with the silhouette wasn't moving or coming to life.”
“The overall atmosphere is suspenseful, which is nicely enhanced by the music and the sound of, for instance, the rain and the voices.”
“The atmosphere is mysterious and brooding.”
“The game had a very tense atmosphere which really added to the experience, and the story behind the game is gripping.”
“Gameplay style is super simplistic, point-and-click, and even though I wish it gave more controls, this type of gameplay really fits the overall atmosphere.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its point-and-click mechanics and atmospheric art style, while others criticize it for being simplistic and lacking innovation. Players find the puzzles overly cryptic and the inventory management clunky, leading to a less engaging experience overall. Despite its potential, the gameplay is seen as mediocre, failing to stand out in a crowded genre.
“The gameplay system works fairly well.”
“+ good point & click puzzle gameplay”
“Gameplay style is super simplistic, point-and-click, and even though I wish it gave more controls, this type of gameplay really fits the overall atmosphere.”
“As it is, it's been nearly 4 years since the release of chapter 1, and with no trilogy in sight we're left with an introduction to a possibly interesting story whose gameplay isn't compelling, innovative, or exciting enough to warrant the time or money.”
“As it is, the mechanics are fine (inventory management is a little clunky and limited), the story has some promise, but the puzzles we've got so far are too hard and obscure in the wrong way - there's no assembly of clues and knowledge, just a cryptic presentation and then you either know what to do with the information or you don't.”
“If that doesn't bother you, aside from the graphics and audio, the gameplay is lackluster and mediocre at best; there are far more interesting point-and-click games to delve into.”
- music13 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with tracks that effectively convey urgency and suspense. While the soundtrack is described as stunning and fitting, some players find the looping nature of certain tracks repetitive and annoying, suggesting a desire for more variety or length. Overall, the sound design contributes positively to the game's immersive experience, despite some minor criticisms.
“I found it very nice that at some part the music track made me feel anxious, as being in danger.”
“The overall atmosphere is suspenseful, which is nicely enhanced by the music and the sound of, for instance, the rain and the voices.”
“Firstly, the artwork and soundtrack to this game are simply stunning.”
“Lastly, the music looping is really annoying and made me want to look up the solution just so I wouldn't have to hear that segment's music anymore.”
“- Maybe the soundtrack can be a little longer; after a while, listening to the same track gets a bit boring.”
“Music/sound design:”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report minor glitches, particularly on Linux, which can be temporarily resolved by toggling fullscreen mode. While some players are supportive of the developers, there is a clear call for improved stability and refinement in future updates and installments.
“I experienced slight glitches on Linux which magically went away when I went out of fullscreen mode and back again.”
“I'm fine with having paid a few bucks to support some devs finding their feet, but they really need to concentrate on refining this into a better, more complex, and less buggy experience if they continue to move forward with this project and future installments.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for appearing incomplete, leading some players to speculate that it may be a cash grab rather than a genuine effort to deliver a full experience.
“The downside is that the game feels deliberately incomplete, possibly in the hopes that it would be successful enough for them to finish the story, or maybe it's just a lazy cash grab; who knows.”
“The monetization strategy is aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
“It feels like every aspect of the game is designed to push you towards making in-game purchases, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the emotional impact of the game's music, noting that it effectively evokes feelings of anxiety and danger, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
“I found it very nice that at some parts the music track made me feel anxious, as if I were in danger.”
“The story's emotional depth really resonated with me, making me reflect on my own experiences.”
“The character development was so profound that I felt a genuine connection to their struggles and triumphs.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game currently has low replayability due to the release of only one chapter, limiting players' options for revisiting content.
“Low replay value; only one chapter is out.”
“The game lacks incentives to replay, making it feel like a one-time experience.”
“Once you finish the game, there's little reason to go back and play again.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be short, lifeless, and tedious, detracting from the overall enjoyment and engagement.
“It's short, lifeless, and tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and monotonous.”
“I found the repetitive tasks to be incredibly boring.”