Paradox Wrench
- January 16, 2018
- David Mulder
Get on SteamIn "Paradox Wrench" , you participate in a mysterious experiment, wielding a unique tool that alters the physical dimensions of objects and yourself. Solve puzzles by switching between the normal, blue, and orange dimensions, using your wit to understand and master this unusual device.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique color-switching mechanic that adds depth to the puzzle-solving experience.
- Voice acting is surprisingly decent, adding a level of charm to the game.
- Some puzzles are challenging and enjoyable, providing a sense of accomplishment upon completion.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including clunky controls and a lack of mouse sensitivity options.
- Visuals are low-quality and untextured, resembling outdated graphics that detract from the overall experience.
- The game is very short, with many players finishing it in under two hours, leading to a lack of content.
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of decent puzzles and frustrating mechanics, particularly with the poorly implemented pickup function and unclear tool capabilities. While the controls are intuitive and the puzzle mechanics evolve interestingly, players may find the initial learning curve steep. Overall, the game offers engaging challenges, especially in later levels, and players express interest in additional content.
“Other than that, the controls make sense and the puzzle mechanics were great in the levels I've played so far.”
“Obviously, some comparison to Portal must be made here, but the color-switching gun really takes the box/orb style puzzles to another level along with the new mechanics that support it.”
“Easy to learn the mechanics; later levels get pretty difficult.”
“Gameplay-wise, some of the puzzles were actually decent; however, the designer didn't do a great job easing you into the rules of your tool's capabilities. Basically, you would get thrown into a puzzle room and had to figure out the new rules they introduced. One extra annoyance is that the pickup function was not implemented well because you cannot pick up a block if you are too close to it. With the first block, it was super frustrating when I was clicking to pick up the only block that could be picked up, and nothing happened. Not to mention, the key prompt doesn't show up when you are targeting the block to pick up; instead, it just keeps slowly fading in and out in the middle of the screen every minute.”
“I've beaten the game in 1.5 hours, and I bet it can be done way quicker because a couple of times I made pauses in gameplay without quitting the game.”
“Better yet, I'd certainly buy a reasonably sized level pack for a few quid (maybe with a new mechanic or two). Again, I have no idea how extensive the base game is as I have not yet finished it due to the low sensitivity.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of Paradox Wrench are characterized by a simplistic, minimalist aesthetic that features low-polygon, untextured assets reminiscent of early 1990s 3D games. Critics argue that this approach appears lazy and serves as a cover for a lack of artistic effort, often likening the visuals to "programmer art" rather than a deliberate stylistic choice. Overall, the visuals are seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the overall gaming experience.
“The lack of textures is a method that lazy devs often use to disguise their lack of talent or interest in doing the graphics properly, trying to pass it off as 'art' or 'we made it look bad on purpose', which really isn't something gamers should have to put up with.”
“In general, the visuals look rather like 'programmer art', which is understandable if this was a one-person project but still worth mentioning.”
“Paradox Wrench is a simplistic thematic ripoff of Portal. It's a first-person 3D platformer with a minimalist aesthetic and a gimmick where you phase different blocks of different colors using your color gun. If some blocks don't match the color of your gun, you can phase through them.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of engaging tracks, with some players noting the absence of music altogether and the presence of irritating sound effects, particularly a high-pitched noise during jumps. While the voice work is considered decent, the riddles used by the narrator are poorly integrated, often leading to confusion and diminishing their impact.
“It has multiple problems; some of these include no music and annoying sounds. There is a high-pitched sound at the end of jumping that drove me mad, so I had to disable sounds. While the voice work itself was actually decent, the riddles used as a script were bad because when you would enter the room, the narrator would ask a riddle and then give the answer when you completed the puzzle. By the time I ended the level, I had totally forgotten what the original question even was, making the answer pointless.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The story is perceived as straightforward and uncomplicated, appealing to those who prefer a light narrative without the burden of a complex plot.
“The story is engaging and keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
“I was genuinely invested in the characters and their journeys throughout the game.”
“The plot twists were unexpected and added depth to the overall narrative.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks any real depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is almost non-existent, leaving the plot feeling flat and uninteresting.”
“The narrative is riddled with clichés and predictable twists that fail to surprise or captivate.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users find the stability of this game to be superior to Polarity and significantly less buggy compared to titles like Colortone and Blik, indicating a more reliable gaming experience.
“It's better than Polarity, and it's a lot less buggy than the likes of Colortone or Blik.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game features some amusing dialogue, but it often leans heavily on riddles and a narrator whose attempts at comedy may feel forced to some players.
“The game is filled with hilarious dialogue that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“The humor is clever and well-timed, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
“I love the witty banter between characters; it adds a delightful layer to the gameplay.”
