Molek-Syntez
- November 18, 2019
- Zachtronics
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"MOLEK-SYNTEZ is a single-player Science Fiction Simulation game where you program a molecular synthesizer to convert industrial chemicals into drugs. Optimize your solutions, compete with friends, and show off your results through built-in score histograms and animated GIF exporter. An original solitaire game is also included for when you need a break from the grinding."
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Engaging puzzle mechanics that combine elements from previous Zachtronics games like Opus Magnum and SpaceChem.
- Offers a satisfying challenge with multiple ways to solve puzzles, encouraging optimization and creativity.
- Minimalist aesthetic and atmosphere that fits the game's theme, providing a unique experience.
- Lacks a comprehensive tutorial, making it difficult for newcomers to understand the mechanics.
- The puzzles can feel repetitive and less rewarding compared to other Zachtronics titles, leading to a sense of monotony.
- Presentation is considered drab and less polished than previous games, which may detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay87 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Molek-Syntez" is a blend of mechanics from previous Zachtronics titles like "Opus Magnum" and "SpaceChem," featuring a minimalist aesthetic and a focus on puzzle-solving. While the initial puzzles are accessible, many players find the overall gameplay repetitive and lacking in variety, with limited new mechanics introduced as the game progresses. The absence of a proper tutorial and the finicky nature of some mechanics can lead to frustration, but those familiar with Zachtronics' style may still find enjoyment in the optimization aspects and the satisfying execution of its core mechanics.
“The gameplay is like SpaceChem combined with Opus Magnum mixed with the minimal aesthetics (and plot) of TIS-100.”
“Clever geometric puzzle and optimization mechanics in the same vein as SpaceChem or Opus Magnum.”
“If you love puzzle games with solid mechanics, room for creativity in solutions, and endless replayability through the Steam Workshop, then go ahead and pick this game up, along with every other Zachtronics game.”
“Long time fans will be able to intuit most of the gameplay while newcomers will be at a loss quickly with no guidance except what little guidance the fan base has put together.”
“The very scarce set of source compounds inspire some creativity in the earlier levels, but then make several of the later solutions a mechanical chore, and I rarely felt motivation to sink hours into optimizing the solutions, which is usually one of the best aspects of a Zachtronics game.”
“Unfortunately, while it’s clear they put decent thought into the mechanics, the puzzles themselves aren’t hard enough to use them in interesting ways.”
- story62 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story in this game is largely criticized for being minimal and poorly developed, often described as nonexistent or limited to sparse text between puzzles. While some players appreciate the minimalist approach and find the underlying themes intriguing, many feel that the lack of character development, world-building, and engaging narrative detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the story is seen as an afterthought, overshadowed by the focus on puzzle-solving gameplay.
“The moody atmosphere and pared-down story were enjoyable to me.”
“As far as story, you can actually miss it very easily, but what is there is interesting and clearly thought out rather than just an afterthought.”
“The storyline is interesting; it reminds me a bit of the Little Inferno story, where you weren't really sure there was a story until you get closer to the end, and more things make sense the more milestones you make.”
“The story is nonexistent.”
“The story is complete trash, in the sense that there is more story on the Steam store page than inside the game itself.”
“There's no story, a minimalist UI, and very limited mechanics.”
- graphics59 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist, monochrome aesthetic that evokes a bleak, Eastern European atmosphere, reminiscent of retro pixel art and DOS-era visuals. While some players appreciate the immersive simplicity and the atmospheric sound design, others find the lack of color and detail frustrating, comparing it unfavorably to the more vibrant aesthetics of previous titles from the same developer. Overall, the visuals serve the game's themes but may not satisfy those seeking a more polished graphical experience.
“The aesthetic is very monochrome and minimalist, which adds to the immersion.”
“Starting with the good: the graphics and atmosphere are top notch.”
“Combined with the stark black and white aesthetic, the setting feels bleakly Eastern European or Russian, about a chemist finding some level of power in restoring drugs to what seems to be some kind of post-apocalyptic world.”
“Unfortunately, the graphics are circa mid-1980s, and the lack of color eventually became too annoying.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“I can't play a game that doesn't let me change the most basic of graphics settings.”
- optimization21 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while many puzzles can be solved easily without focusing on optimization, players who engage with the leaderboards will find a satisfying challenge in refining their solutions across various metrics like speed and resource efficiency. Some reviewers noted that the optimization opportunities feel less nuanced compared to previous Zachtronics titles, but the game still offers a rewarding experience for those willing to delve into its complexities. Overall, it provides a fun and engaging environment for problem-solving and optimization, albeit with some quirks in command usage that may detract from the experience.
“There are always several ways to solve the same puzzle; some of them are just more optimized than others.”
“Optimizing the puzzles for the three different leaderboards (speed, minimum parts, minimum instructions) should be considered as part of the game, as the optimization process is vastly different in all puzzles.”
“Getting a result and seeing the leaderboards motivates players to look for new, optimized, and more elegant solutions.”
“Generally, I found it not quite as satisfying when I completed a task as with other Zachtronics games, and it feels like there is less opportunity for optimization in any category, fewer nuances to explore.”
“The main campaign is much shorter than Opus, and maybe because Opus was my first Zachtronics game, Molek-Syntez felt much easier to solve, with optimization bringing about massive gains in each score metric.”
“Optimizing the puzzles for the 3 different leaderboards (speed, minimum parts, minimum instructions) should be considered as part of the game, as the optimization process is vastly different in all puzzles.”
- music18 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is largely described as minimalistic, consisting mainly of ambient sounds and industrial noises, which some players found lacking compared to previous titles by the developer. While a few appreciated the atmospheric qualities of the ambient soundtrack, noting it as suitable for concentration, others felt it was too sparse or even non-existent, leading to a less engaging experience. Overall, the music received mixed reviews, with some praising its calmness for puzzle-solving, while others missed the more robust soundtracks of earlier games.
“This game gets its atmosphere perfectly, with the occasional-but-not-too-frequent swell of familiar synths in the background falling to near-silence, which is probably the best work music that a Zachtronics game could have.”
“Although I eventually grew to enjoy the game's bleak and detached art style - especially the ambient soundtrack with its peculiar mix of coldness, unease, and futuristic marvel deserves a mention.”
“One positive note: the drone-like ambient music is some of the best in any Zachtronics game.”
“There really isn't much for music, kind of just some industrial noises.”
“No music, just atmospheric background noise, the clicks and whirrs of your synthesizer, and the beeps of the UI.”
“Nowhere near the production values and story of SpaceChem, Opus Magnum, and Infinifactory, and no music at all when music was a very strong point in earlier games.”
- grinding11 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the early levels where puzzles lack challenge. While some enjoy the later levels' increased difficulty, many express frustration with the monotonous gameplay and certain mechanics, such as the solitaire mini-game, which detract from the overall experience. The combination of easy puzzles and tedious execution leads to a mixed reception, with some players questioning their motivation to complete the campaign.
“The first 15 or so puzzles didn't pose any challenge and just felt tedious to complete.”
“Puzzles are tedious and repetitive.”
“Although I eventually grew to enjoy the game's bleak and detached art style - especially the ambient soundtrack with its peculiar mix of coldness, unease, and futuristic marvel deserves a mention - the gameplay became so tedious around the final level tiers that I'm not sure if I want to finish the main campaign.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 90 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, featuring a blend of ambient sounds, minimalistic background noise, and occasional synths that enhance the experience without overwhelming it. Reviewers appreciate the moody and immersive environment, which complements the puzzle mechanics and overall gameplay, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre. The graphics and clean user interface further contribute to the game's atmospheric appeal.
“This game gets its atmosphere perfectly, with the occasional but not too frequent swell of familiar synths in the background falling to near-silence, which is probably the best work music that a Zachtronics game could have.”
“Starting with the good: the graphics and atmosphere are top notch.”
“The moody atmosphere and pared-down story were enjoyable to me.”
“The atmosphere feels lacking compared to their previous titles, making the experience less immersive.”
“While the solitaire aspect is enjoyable, the overall atmosphere doesn't capture the same depth as their other games.”
“The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the experience.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it amusing and even satirical at times, despite some criticism of the edgy storyline. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making it a memorable and enjoyable puzzle game.
“It's funny because I still liked the game and would still recommend it easily—if a puzzle game occupies your brain so much you dream about it, it's a good puzzle game.”
“The storyline was a bit too edgy, though, and at one point I couldn't stop laughing because it started to feel almost satirical.”
“Very funny game.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers decent replayability due to its streamlined synthesis processes and esoteric puzzles, encouraging players to explore creative solutions. Additionally, the integration of the Steam Workshop enhances replayability by providing endless content and challenges. Overall, fans of puzzle games will find ample reasons to revisit this title.
“While the choice of precursors is pretty accurate as far as what would be available to a clandestine kitchen chemist, the actual reactions and steps are nothing like the real organic synthesis steps (which frankly is probably a good thing for public safety!). It's a great game; a little short, but there's decent replayability, as there's always a way to streamline your syntheses.”
“While the choice of precursors is pretty accurate as far as what would be available to a clandestine kitchen chemist, the actual reactions and steps are nothing like the real organic synthesis steps. It's a great game, but it's a little short, and the replayability is limited as there are only so many ways to streamline your syntheses.”
“The puzzles themselves are so esoteric that these games are highly replayable.”
“If you love puzzle games with solid mechanics, room for creativity in solutions, and endless replayability through the Steam Workshop, then go ahead and pick this game up, along with every other Zachtronics game.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features appealing graphics, but users have reported occasional glitches that affect overall stability. Despite these issues, the experience remains enjoyable.
“The game offers some nice graphics; however, there are some ugly glitches here and there that detract from the experience.”
“I frequently encounter crashes that make it impossible to enjoy the game.”
“The stability issues are frustrating, as the game often freezes during crucial moments.”
