Panoramical
- September 17, 2015
- David Kanaga
Panoramical is a single-player musical game known for its spectacular visuals and good music. The game allows you to manipulate and explore over a dozen mesmerizing landscapes, each with 18 different audio-visual dimensions, creating a unique and immersive musical adventure. It's an easy-to-learn and accessible experience, perfect for relaxing or chasing the perfect beat, and compatible with various controllers, including keyboard, mouse, gamepad, and MIDI controllers.
Reviews
- Panoramical is a mesmerizing interactive art piece that combines stunning visuals and captivating audio, creating a unique sensory experience.
- The game allows players to manipulate various parameters, resulting in endless creative possibilities and a relaxing, meditative atmosphere.
- It's an innovative audio-visual toy that can be enjoyed solo or with friends, making it a great tool for inspiration and relaxation.
- Many players feel that the game lacks substantial content and can become repetitive quickly, leading to a sense of boredom after a short playtime.
- The controls can be chaotic and unintuitive, making it difficult for some users to create satisfying musical compositions.
- While visually impressive, some reviewers argue that it doesn't offer enough gameplay elements to justify its price, feeling more like a screensaver than a traditional game.
- music144 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in "Panoramical" is described as an interactive and experimental experience, where players can manipulate sounds and visuals to create unique compositions. While some users appreciate the immersive and evolving nature of the soundtrack, others find it overwhelming or disjointed, often likening it to a noise experiment rather than structured music. Overall, the game offers a novel approach to musical exploration, appealing to those who enjoy ambient and electro-acoustic art music, but may not satisfy players seeking traditional musical experiences.
“The visuals and the music are very beautiful and it opens the door to a new kind of interactive experiences, halfway between art and video games.”
“Beautiful visuals and amazing music.”
“The main set absolutely shines where there is a sense of progression, that is when the visuals and the music evolve both by themselves through time and according to players' controls.”
“The 'music' is also a disjointed mess.”
“I was expecting there to be music, but it really is just a cacophony of noises that gets on my nerves really quickly.”
“This game is really novel, but one thing all of the glowing reviews on every single tech website didn't tell me was this: it's a lot easier to make noise than it is to make anything remotely resembling music.”
- graphics72 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are frequently described as stunning and immersive, offering a vibrant and dynamic visual experience that evolves alongside the music. However, some users note that the visuals can be overwhelming, particularly for those sensitive to flashing lights, and there are concerns about the lack of substance beyond the aesthetic appeal. Overall, while the visuals are praised for their beauty and creativity, the integration with sound can lead to chaotic experiences, leaving some players wishing for more control over the audio-visual relationship.
“The visuals and the music are very beautiful and it opens the door to a new kind of interactive experiences, halfway between art and video games.”
“The tune created alongside the visuals also seems to perfectly match with what you are seeing, creating beautiful tone pieces and abstract moving paintings.”
“Beautiful visuals and amazing music.”
“In each level, your buttons increase or decrease the amount of effects that are going on in the game, producing amazing visuals but with really little substance.”
“I feel like the visuals and the sounds don't really match each other.”
“If you go to a museum, you might pay ten euros for the entrance and look at still lives of similar visuals.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing significant boredom and frustration, leading to very short play sessions. The controls are rated moderately at 6/10, indicating that while they are functional, they may not enhance the overall experience.
“I've owned this game for years but still only managed to get about 25 minutes of gameplay out of it, because every time I boot it up I get bored or want to tear my ears out 20 seconds later.”
“Gameplay (controls): 6/10”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story features a well-structured arc and utilizes an inventive interface, setting it apart from traditional games that follow a linear leveling and completion format. Players appreciate its unique approach to storytelling, which diverges from the typical 50-hour gameplay experience.
“I think it works differently than a regular game where you level up, go through the story, and then finish after 50 hours.”
“The story you are led through has an arc and an incredibly inventive interface.”
“I think it works differently than a regular game where you level up and go through the story and then finish after 50 hours.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is heavily influenced by the interactive music controls, allowing players to create unique soundscapes by adjusting various elements, including an atmospheric choir and less desirable beats. While this customization can lead to interesting audio experiences, some users find the results to be only partially satisfying.
“Love how messing with controls alters the atmospheric music.”
“If you can figure out which control makes an atmospheric choir sound and turn it up, you can create a unique soundscape that enhances the game's immersive experience.”
“Tinkering with the controls allows for a fascinating exploration of sound, transforming the atmosphere into something truly engaging.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky sound effects and amusing visuals, which some players find entertaining, though opinions vary on whether this experience justifies the price. Overall, the comedic elements are seen as a lighthearted addition, but may not be substantial enough for everyone.
“Is it worth ten bucks to stare at a screen as it makes interesting visuals for you and makes funny beeps and boops?”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the emotional aspect of the game is central to the experience, suggesting that players' emotional responses are integral to the content itself. This emphasis on personal emotional engagement indicates that the game effectively elicits strong feelings, making it a significant part of its appeal.