PANELKI
- March 4, 2022
- Alexander Gromyko
Get on Steam"Panelki" is an open-world, massively multiplayer game for 2 players, with both co-op and single-player options, that lets you play as a utility worker in a Siberian city. Complete assignments from utility services, interact with snow, and enjoy the procedurally generated environment and weather system, all while saving up for a ticket to start a new life. The game features a unique atmosphere with its panel houses and Siberian setting.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a unique and immersive atmosphere, capturing the essence of a post-Soviet winter landscape.
- Many players find the gameplay oddly relaxing, making it a good time killer for those who enjoy repetitive tasks.
- The developer is active and seems to care about the game, with potential for future updates and improvements.
- The gameplay quickly becomes repetitive and lacks variety, leading to boredom for many players.
- There are significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on capable hardware.
- The game lacks a clear narrative or objectives, leaving players feeling lost and unmotivated.
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and melancholic qualities, enhanced by dynamic weather, a day/night cycle, and thoughtful sound design. Players appreciate the unique setting of a post-USSR northern city, with elements like graffiti adding depth and relevance to the experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as enchanting, nostalgic, and occasionally spooky, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The enthralling melancholy, the pressing nostalgia were too insistent and enchanting an atmosphere to ever truly vanish from my mind.”
“I'm loving the atmosphere and ambience of the game; it's rare to find this kind of ambience in non-horror games.”
“Great atmosphere and sound design, and appears to be well-looked after by its lone dev.”
“The snow digging feature is really unique and fun, and the dynamic weather and day/night cycle add a lot to the atmosphere.”
“Yeah, I want to live in Panelki, especially in Norilsk. I just want to see how the polar night goes on, and I want to face the difficult windy snow. That's why I bought that game; I just wanted to see the atmosphere in a computer game a bit.”
“+ the shoveling mechanics are quite funny, and can really add a light comedic element to the otherwise depressing atmosphere.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for performance issues, including stuttering and difficulty achieving stable frame rates even on high-end PCs. While some players find the experience generally enjoyable, the inconsistent asset loading and occasional bugs detract from the overall performance.
“I have a great PC and can't even get 60 frames at 1080p without stuttering every time the game loads an asset.”
“Has some real performance issues and a really spooky bum that runs around at night.”
“Not bad, just wish there was less stuttering, but overall a pretty good game.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a simple yet engaging loop that balances a sense of realism with a melancholic atmosphere, enhanced by a polished snow shovel mechanic that allows players to create whimsical snow creatures. While the gameplay is interesting and offers comedic elements, it also serves as a vehicle for artistic expression, contributing to the overall thematic experience of the game.
“The soundtrack just won't let me go; the gameplay loop is as simple and depressing as it is motivating and realistic. Every gameplay or design choice made sense, and the awesome, unexpectedly polished snow shovel feature allows for the construction of eerie, mystical snow creatures, miles high, that entwine around the abandoned, shabby old tenement housing estates, from which only a cough or a soft conversation can be heard at night.”
“While it is a game with interesting gameplay, it seems like more of an artistic endeavor, made to get a theme or personal experience across.”
“The shoveling mechanics are quite funny and can really add a light comedic element to the otherwise depressing atmosphere.”
“Gameplay aside, one of the first things you do in the game is pick up a box of light bulbs, with the player character commenting, 'some 'Obama' keeps taking the light bulbs from the entrances of the building.'”
“The gameplay loop is as simple and depressing as it is motivating and realistic. Every gameplay or design choice made sense, but it feels repetitive and lacks depth.”
“The gameplay mechanics are clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate through the environment and complete tasks.”
- music5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, providing a relaxing and immersive experience that complements the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as both unexpectedly polished and emotionally resonant, contributing significantly to the game's eerie and mystical ambiance. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that elevates the overall experience.
“Very relaxing game and good music that plays at the right times during a play-through.”
“Very atmospheric, music surprisingly good, looking forward to future updates.”
“The atmosphere is on point, 10/10, the scale of everything feels very realistic, the music is insanely good and the feeling when you're inside the block at night and the wind is howling outside is just 💯.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
“The music feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“I found the audio design to be underwhelming, with the music failing to enhance the emotional moments in the game.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, showcasing a distinct aesthetic that evokes feelings of sadness and hopelessness. However, some players noted that certain areas, like the stairwells, feel cramped. Overall, the visuals resonate particularly well with fans of winter and abandoned themes.
“The graphics are pretty good, but some parts, mainly the stairwells of the buildings, seemed to be kind of small.”
“As a Balkan resident and a winter/abandoned aesthetic enjoyer, I love this game.”
“There's an aesthetic to it, but it's so sad and hopeless.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing shoveling mechanics, which provide a lighthearted contrast to the otherwise bleak atmosphere. Players find the comedic elements to be a refreshing addition, enhancing the overall experience.
“The shoveling mechanics are quite funny and can really add a light comedic element to the otherwise depressing atmosphere.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of clarity and direction, with players expressing confusion about the narrative and uncertainty regarding any potential ending.
“There is no story; I don't even know if there is an ending or how it concludes.”
“The narrative is completely lacking, leaving players confused and disengaged.”
“I felt no connection to the characters or plot, making the experience feel hollow.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, particularly due to the inclusion of achievements, which adds an engaging layer to the open-world experience.
“The achievements enable a great level of replayability in the game, which is always a plus for open-world titles like this.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes encourages multiple playthroughs, making the game highly replayable.”
“With different character builds and story paths, each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game presents an intriguing concept but suffers from significant bugs, impacting its overall stability.
“It's a really interesting concept, definitely really buggy.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the experience.”
