Mushroom 11

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 235 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Mushroom 11 Game Cover
Mushroom 11 is a strange and unique game that reshapes the way you think about its puzzles.
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Mushroom 11 is a unique puzzle-platformer where you guide an amoeba-like organism by pruning its cells, causing new ones to grow. Traverse a mysterious world, solve brain-twisting obstacles, and discover the origins of your strange existence, all while accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack by The Future Sound of London. This innovative game has received accolades from multiple sources, including Rock, Paper, Shotgun, IGN, and The Guardian.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 235 reviews
gameplay44 positive mentions
grinding17 negative mentions
  • Mushroom 11 features a unique and innovative mechanic where players control a blob by erasing parts of it, leading to creative and engaging puzzles.
  • The game has a captivating atmosphere with beautiful visuals and a well-crafted soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Despite its short length, the game offers a satisfying challenge with clever level design that encourages players to think outside the box.
  • The difficulty spikes significantly in the later levels, which can lead to frustrating trial-and-error gameplay that may deter some players.
  • The random regrowth mechanic can make precise movements challenging, often resulting in unintended deaths and setbacks.
  • Some players may find the game too short and lacking in content, with only seven levels and limited replayability.
  • gameplay104 mentions

    The gameplay of Mushroom 11 is characterized by its innovative mechanic of erasing to grow, which offers a unique and engaging puzzle platforming experience. While the core mechanic is praised for its creativity and variety in challenges, some players find it can be frustrating due to its randomness and imprecision. Overall, the game combines clever level design with a captivating atmosphere, making it a standout title despite occasional issues with difficulty and control.

    • “The mechanic of erasing to grow is executed wonderfully, and there are varied applications in consistently new puzzles throughout the game.”
    • “Best of all, with few exceptions the level design teaches you how to use this core mechanic in new ways; it rarely adds a new 'gimmick of the level' to shake up the gameplay as mediocre puzzle games do - the progression feels quite organic.”
    • “From that one mechanic, the developer manages to create an extremely impressive variety of gameplay, using it in different ways to manipulate the environment so you can proceed.”
    • “The mechanics require quick changes and balancing, but the mechanism to do it is a bit flawed in my view.”
    • “Granted, I got a lot better at moving the blob around by the end, but the randomness and the overall nature of the dissolving mechanic place enough of a ceiling on your level of control that it was always a little touch and go.”
    • “The game's central mechanic is often openly hostile to these demands as it is random, touchy, and inexact.”
  • music39 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its unique and atmospheric qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the electronic ambient soundtrack by The Future Sound of London as a perfect complement to the game's visuals and mechanics. The soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, creating an eerie yet calming atmosphere that fits well with the game's aesthetic and puzzle design. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, elevating the gameplay and contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The visuals are flawless as is the soundtrack, the perfect ether to immerse you in the practical aspect of the mechanics and puzzles.”
    • “The artist who did the music created an eerie atmosphere with each world, 7 in total that had their own characteristics and enemy types that add to a DNA-based score system when you have the 'bacteria' you control consume it.”
    • “The soundtrack by 'The Future Sound of London' is really frickin' good and perfect for Mushroom 11!”
    • “Graphic style is ok, nothing special; music soothes the atmosphere.”
    • “Even with its flat soundtrack, I would still recommend Mushroom 11 to those who enjoy the unfamiliar and experiencing fresh ideas.”
    • “Developers went with electronic ambient music.”
  • graphics37 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received largely positive feedback, with many users praising the vibrant colors, smooth visuals, and overall aesthetic appeal. While some noted minor glitches and a few instances of unpolished elements, the artwork and soundtrack were frequently highlighted as immersive and enhancing the gameplay experience. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “10 out of 10 for a fascinating new gameplay mechanic, as well as lovely visuals and sound.”
    • “The visuals are flawless as is the soundtrack, the perfect ether to immerse you in the practical aspect of the mechanics and puzzles.”
    • “The smooth graphics and even smoother soundtrack make for a very relaxing experience, in between near heart attacks.”
    • “I'm a fan of post-apocalyptic art styles, but this one was a bit... unpolished and overdone.”
    • “Graphic style is okay, nothing special; music soothes the atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are really smooth and it doesn't lag, and also it is offline so you can't have internet problems (for me it hasn't crashed a single time).”
  • story23 mentions

    The game's story is conveyed through atmospheric visual narration, allowing players to piece together an implied backstory in a post-apocalyptic setting. While some players appreciate the open-to-interpretation narrative, others feel that the lack of explicit storytelling elements, such as cutscenes or dialogue, limits the experience. Overall, the story is engaging but can be frustrating due to gameplay challenges, leaving some players wanting more depth and resolution.

    • “Great story open to interpretation and amazing post-apocalyptic setting.”
    • “The authors decided to go with visual narration for their story, so the levels and backgrounds will tell you what happened.”
    • “A really great game, it has some frustrating moments, but the story kept me going and the mechanic is fun, especially when you can finish situations in your own way.”
    • “There's no cutscenes, no dialog, nothing in your face about the story.”
    • “On that note, there is only a 7-level 'story', if you want to call it that, that has nothing else to do when you complete the 7 levels.”
    • “Would love to see the end of the story but finding it impossible to get past some of the annoying stuff as it's just getting me frustrated and I'm quitting because I'm not enjoying it if I'm getting so frustrated.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its haunting beauty and dynamic shifts between bleak and vibrant tones, complemented by an eerie soundtrack that enhances the storytelling. Players appreciate the unique level design and the immersive experience created by the combination of art, music, and engaging puzzles. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating, with a strong sense of place that draws players into its post-apocalyptic world.

    • “Gameplay aside, it has a nice score, fantastic atmosphere with a style that can switch from bleak to vibrant just screens apart.”
    • “Mushroom 11 is a unique puzzle-platformer with great level design, pacing, and atmosphere.”
    • “Atmosphere is beautiful and landscapes are haunting.”
    • “The artist who did the music created an eerie atmosphere with each world, 7 in total that had their own characteristics and enemy types that add to a DNA-based score system when you have the 'bacteria' you control consume it.”
    • “Graphic style is okay, nothing special; music soothes the atmosphere.”
    • “It's what I imagine you'd get if you crossed the Ecco the Dolphin game with the World of Goo game and the Blade Runner movie, in terms of its combination of gameplay and atmosphere.”
  • grinding17 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be largely tedious, particularly in later chapters where the clever puzzle mechanics give way to frustrating platforming and awkward physics. Many reviews highlight the trial-and-error nature of the gameplay, which can lead to a lack of engagement and a sense of maddening difficulty, especially when navigating checkpoints that require repetitive actions to return to challenging puzzles. Overall, the control scheme's imprecision further exacerbates the frustration, making the experience feel more tedious than enjoyable.

    • “Unfortunately, the game becomes too tedious and hard on chapter 5 and downright impossible on chapter 7.”
    • “Since you only control where the mushroom is destroyed and not where it grows, puzzles that require you to spread your mushroom thin (or avoid spreading into dangerous areas) can be tedious and frustrating.”
    • “Too often a checkpoint will have you go through something tedious to get back to a hard puzzle.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game generally runs well on Linux, providing vibrant graphics and a pleasant experience; however, users have reported occasional glitches that detract from overall stability.

    • “Runs great on Linux.”
    • “The game has a lot of potential, but frequent crashes and bugs make it frustrating to play.”
    • “I love the concept, but the constant lag and instability ruin the experience.”
    • “The graphics are nice, but the game is plagued by glitches that disrupt gameplay.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the poignant experience of having to sacrifice parts of your fungus to progress, creating a sense of loss and helplessness as you watch smaller pieces diminish while larger ones grow uncontrollably. This mechanic evokes feelings of attachment and frustration, as players grapple with the consequences of their actions in a constantly shifting environment.

    • “Several times, the game asks you to cut your fungus in half in order for you to move on, and, since you have no control over what grows where, you'll find yourself moving smaller and smaller pieces while the half you're not touching grows bigger and bigger.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game's replayability is considered questionable by users, suggesting that it may not offer enough incentives or varied experiences to encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “Questionable replayability.”
    • “Questionable replayability.”
    • “Questionable replayability.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its smooth and quick performance, alongside impressive visuals and engaging level designs, indicating strong optimization.

    • “The game looks and sounds great, the level designs are really cool, and maybe most importantly, it runs smoothly and quickly.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

50% average critic score

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