NaissanceE

Starting at $2.55Buy now

"NaissanceE is a single-player, science fiction platformer game known for its splendid graphics and beautiful music, offering a dense atmosphere and wholesome story. As a first-person exploration game, players navigate a mysterious primal structure, solve puzzles and encounter entities while maintaining breath and coordination. This is a philosophical trip and artistic experience, offering a unique and exigent journey."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 536 reviews

gameplay25 positive mentions

story22 negative mentions

Stunning visuals and unique architectural design create an immersive atmosphere.
The game evokes a strong sense of isolation and existential dread, enhancing the overall experience.
Innovative mechanics, such as the breathing system while sprinting, add a layer of challenge and engagement.

Frustrating platforming sections with poor checkpoint placement can lead to repeated deaths and backtracking.
The game lacks a clear narrative or direction, leaving players feeling lost and confused at times.
Certain segments feature intense lighting effects that may trigger discomfort or seizures for sensitive players.

gameplay
160 mentions
16 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and first-person platforming, with a unique but often frustrating breathing mechanic that requires players to click rhythmically while running. While some players appreciate the atmospheric design and innovative mechanics, many find the controls cumbersome and the gameplay lacking depth, often feeling more like a walking simulator with minimal engagement. Overall, the experience is polarizing, appealing to those who enjoy atmospheric exploration but disappointing for players seeking more substantial gameplay.
- “The gameplay consists of exploring, puzzle solving, running, and jumping, with a unique breathing mechanic to prevent your character from running out of stamina.”
- “The puzzle mechanics, the architecture, the music, the lighting, and everything else piece together incredibly well and immerse you completely.”
- “The gameplay is pretty unique, with interesting mechanics that keep you engaged while exploring the atmospheric environments.”
- “That did nothing but annoy me and contributed nothing to the gameplay... really wouldn't have included that, pointless.”
- “The gameplay is... meh, mostly a walking simulator with some puzzles, and the last one is really annoying.”
- “The breathing mechanic, where you have to keep clicking the mouse when you run, gets old really fast, and there is just too much distance to cover until something interesting happens again.”
atmosphere
152 mentions
59 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting, immersive quality, enhanced by a minimalist art style and a compelling soundtrack that evokes feelings of isolation and wonder. Players appreciate the unique blend of exploration and environmental storytelling, often describing the experience as both beautiful and eerie, making it a standout feature despite some gameplay frustrations. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its strongest element, creating a captivating and memorable experience for those who enjoy atmospheric exploration.
- “What makes this game truly unforgettable is the atmosphere, so take your time, stay still for a moment, and immerse yourself in the environments.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, the visuals are amazing, the soundtrack is great.”
- “The world looks beautiful despite (or exactly because) it being made entirely of white blocks, and the atmosphere it creates in combination with the fantastic soundtrack is something truly special.”
- “It's largely about the atmosphere, exploring a hostile environment that doesn't feel like you're supposed to be in it.”
- “The atmosphere alone, always limited to cubic architecture in an environment of only three colors (two of which are always black and white), gives a spacey, alien, and technologically apocalyptic vibe.”
- “The lack of narrative seems to heighten the atmosphere of the alien world you're left to meander through, and the exploration trumps the sometimes frustrating platforming.”
music
126 mentions
41 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of haunting, beautiful, and sometimes eerie tracks that complement the visuals and gameplay. Many players noted that the soundtrack effectively conveys feelings of isolation, tension, and wonder, contributing significantly to the game's unique mood and exploration themes. However, some found certain tracks to be jarring or annoying, particularly during intense moments, and there were requests for more audio customization options.
- “The atmosphere is amazing, the visuals are amazing, the soundtrack is great.”
- “The music is atmospheric and helps create a unique mood throughout the game.”
- “The soundtrack is to die for, think Blade Runner meets Prometheus with a hint of Akira.”
- “The puzzles are not that interesting, the music not that immersive and it's just so grey, black and white, just looks so boring... I tested it again and played the whole game this time.”
- “Most of the music is okay, but some parts are particularly annoying; the 'chase' sequence in particular got on my nerves.”
- “If you want to spend 10 hours on a 4-hour game dying over and over to eerie and some just downright obnoxious music, while watching strobes disorient you the entire time, then by all means buy this game.”
graphics
108 mentions
46 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning and unique aesthetic, characterized by minimalistic designs and clever use of lighting that creates a captivating atmosphere. While some players find the lack of detail and texture frustrating, many appreciate the artistic direction and the emotional impact of the visuals, which evoke a range of feelings and enhance the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered the standout feature, making the game a worthwhile exploration for those who appreciate artistic presentation.
- “The main selling point of this game is its visuals and the way the game plays with its architecture and light is well worth seeing, as the visuals of this game are truly something else.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, the visuals are amazing, the soundtrack is great.”
- “The visual aesthetic is amazing, and put to imaginative, constantly-changing use.”
- “Dull graphics.”
- “Graphic options are severely limited (resolution, anti-aliasing, anisotropy, screen ratio, gamma, fullscreen, and v-sync).”
- “The annoying black and white visuals with the disorienting, abstract platforming levels with the moving lights and shadows made it too frustrating to play.”
story
95 mentions
12 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimalistic and largely left to player interpretation, with the only plot point being that the protagonist, Lucy, is lost. Most of the narrative is conveyed through environmental storytelling, creating an atmosphere of ambiguity and isolation, but many players find the lack of a clear storyline disappointing. While some appreciate the artistic approach and atmospheric exploration, others criticize the game for its absence of a coherent narrative or engaging plot.
- “The game is a masterwork in environmental storytelling.”
- “The story, or lack thereof, is best experienced firsthand and left to interpretation, and that's the beauty of it.”
- “If you want an atmospheric journey which conveys a feeling rather than a story, this is your game.”
- “The game's story is very minimalistic; you are a girl, you are lost, so get yourself un-lost.”
- “There's no story, no dialogue, no drive to continue.”
- “The game provides no story, no explanation, no end and no beginning, beyond that which you want to assign it.”
emotional
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as deeply immersive and evocative, often eliciting feelings of isolation, anxiety, and introspection. Players report a strong emotional connection to the game's environment, likening the experience to a dream or nightmare that provokes discomfort and reflection. Despite some gameplay frustrations, the emotional journey is highlighted as a significant and impactful element, making it a unique experience that resonates on a personal level.
- “It's really more of an art piece than a game in some ways - it's more about your emotional connection to the environment of the game than rewarding your skill or work in a more typically 'gamey' way.”
- “The emotional response to this beautiful world is almost like that feeling deep in your chest when you watch a TV show that focuses on something a little too close to home to be comfortable watching; like it's almost invasive and weird to see an outsider's view into your world.”
- “All in all, if you're looking for a game that will take you on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride while making you feel small, forgotten, and alone, then play it.”
replayability
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find value in exploring its environments and playing with friends, others feel it lacks significant replay value, especially once puzzles are solved. A few suggest that speedrunning could add some entertainment, but many agree that the game may not warrant repeated playthroughs unless on sale or for exploration purposes.
- “Definitely a great replay value, would recommend playing this game with your friends while in a dark room, adds a lot of extra fun.”
- “It can be a long trek, or a shorter one depending on if you get lost a lot (whether literally getting lost, or just admiring the expansiveness and beauty of the environments). There is some replay value to it just because of the environment and ambience.”
- “As for replayability, trying to speed run it could be quite entertaining.”
- “Overall, a decent game - not much replayability, but worth picking up, especially if it's on sale.”
- “I think it would be worth $9.99 tops; there is zero replay value to the game.”
- “Not much replay value either, unless you really want to explore.”
grinding
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the repetitive jumping mechanics and the need to wait before executing jumps in large open areas. While some appreciate the scenic views and exploration, many feel that the constant need to navigate obstacle courses detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel laborious.
- “There are some great views and a lot of detail in the scenery, but halfway through I would come upon another gorgeous scene and rather than appreciate it, I immediately wonder what kind of tedious hopping I would be doing.”
- “But the whole experience comes out frustrating and tedious.”
- “Having to wait a few seconds every time you want to jump to make sure you don't fall to your death is well and good, but when the room in question is composed mostly of jumps, it gets tedious.”
optimization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing significant performance issues such as low frame rates and lag, making gameplay challenging. While a few players noted decent optimization on PC, many reported clunky performance and graphical tearing, suggesting that the game may not have been thoroughly tested across all platforms.
- “PC performance; nicely optimized.”
- “Very atmospheric, but seems to be poorly optimized (<30fps and/or vsync doesn't work, lots of tearing), and feels very untested.”
- “For my first try, the performance was just bad.”
- “It's a bit clunky, and I had serious performance issues in some areas.”
- “Very atmospheric, but seems to be poorly optimized (less than 30fps and/or VSync doesn't work, lots of tearing), and feels very untested.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game effectively balances tension with moments of humor, eliciting laughter and smiles amidst its unsettling atmosphere. Players appreciate the developers' clever sense of humor, highlighted by quirky elements like a "curiosity killed the cat" area and a strip bar, which add a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- “While the game has you feeling on edge and unsettled throughout most of it, there were times that made me laugh or smile too.”
- “I liked the developer's sense of humor, including a 'curiosity killed the cat' area. They also totally included a strip bar.”
- “Funny.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by noticeable glitches, particularly during boss battles, and issues with collision detection that detract from the overall experience. Players hope for future updates to address these technical problems.
- “There are some glitches during the boss battle.”
- “Unless you're really aching for hours of super floaty first-person jumping puzzles with buggy collision while staring into a strobe light.”
- “Aside from actual glitches, which I hope will be ironed out in an update, the gameplay itself simply doesn't help.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it lacks creativity and is more of an unfinished concept than a polished product. Despite being marketed as a puzzle game, it is perceived to align more with first-person platforming, further detracting from its value.
- “This is not creativity; this is an alpha version of an unfinished idea and a cash grab, nothing more.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “It seems like the developers are more focused on making money than delivering a quality game.”