Parallel Experiment

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Parallel Experiment is a single player and multiplayer puzzle game. It was developed by Eleven Puzzles and was released on June 5, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Two detectives, one deadly experiment. Only together you can survive.

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 316 reviews

story47 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

The game features a variety of clever and engaging puzzles that require effective communication between players, enhancing the co-op experience.
The story is more developed than in previous installments, providing an interesting narrative that keeps players invested.
The game successfully introduces new mechanics and gameplay styles, making it feel fresh and innovative compared to earlier entries in the series.

Some puzzles can be overly complicated or unintuitive, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment, and certain mechanics feel clunky or poorly executed.
The game includes excessive dialogue and cutscenes that can disrupt the flow of gameplay, making it feel more like a visual novel than a puzzle game.
There are technical issues, such as bugs and connectivity problems, that can hinder the overall experience and lead to lost progress.

story
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging plot and noir-inspired presentation, while others found it lacking depth and coherence. Many enjoyed the character interactions and the integration of puzzles within the narrative, though some criticized the pacing and felt the story overshadowed the gameplay. Overall, while the narrative offers interesting twists and a compelling backdrop for cooperative play, it may not satisfy those seeking a more intricate or well-developed storyline.
- “The narrative unfolds gradually through environmental storytelling, illustrated cutscenes, and dialogue exchanges between the two protagonists.”
- “The story is compelling and the puzzles are challenging without being punishing!”
- “I loved the story and piecing together what has happened, and I really hope the ending has prepared for another game because there is still so much I want to uncover.”
- “The story was confusing every single step of the way.”
- “The supernatural aspect felt forced and thrown in out of nowhere, and the plot just wasn't good.”
- “It quickly became clear that the story was taking center stage, and as a result, the puzzles themselves began to feel less thoughtful, less intricate, and more like filler between lengthy cutscenes.”
gameplay
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of innovative mechanics and cooperative challenges that require constant communication between players, making it feel like a digital escape room. While many players appreciate the variety and creativity in puzzles, some find certain mechanics frustrating or poorly executed, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game is praised for its engaging cooperative gameplay and unique art style, though some players feel that the balance between storytelling and gameplay could be improved.
- “Every mechanic, narrative beat, and challenge reinforces the concept of parallel perspectives, making it feel less like a traditional puzzle game and more like a digital escape room crafted specifically for two minds working in tandem.”
- “The optional bar games/puzzles were a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the mechanic of both players being able to choose dialogue options or wander in and out of conversation in real time.”
- “The gameplay and the puzzles are the most important thing here (as well as internet functionality, which we never had an issue with) and they range from great to okay.”
- “Just a few examples: the gear puzzle where you have to move tiles but it's way too laborious and there's always something in the way; a door which you repeatedly need to open for your partner by precisely and consistently circling your mouse; or a side-scrolling passage requiring you to move carts and position mirrors, but god forbid if you don't obey the click mechanics down to the letter.”
- “It's a decent point-and-click game, but several bugs and frustrating mechanics (things not clicking into place or moving somewhere else entirely once set down) make it a not-so-fun experience from my and my duo's point of view.”
- “Many times there was a brand new mechanic introduced and then never touched upon again, which shows a lack of understanding of good game design.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
41%
17%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinctive comic-book-inspired art style that many players find immersive and cohesive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While some users describe the art as merely "meh," the majority appreciate its uniqueness and how it complements the fun and chaotic energy of the game. Overall, the visuals are praised for their quality, with many noting that they contribute positively to the engaging puzzles and storytelling.
- “The presentation complements the gameplay with a distinctive comic-book-inspired art style.”
- “The art style and the characters and the events are all beautifully cohesive and it also enhances communication between friends along with all the fun chaotic energy that happens among them.”
- “Fantastic visuals and interesting puzzles.”
- “The art style is meh.”
- “The controls are a bit annoying sometimes and graphics are not flashy.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspects of the game to be frustrating and tedious, often detracting from the overall experience. While some puzzles are enjoyable, many moments feel unnecessarily repetitive and lack helpful guidance, leading to a sense of annoyance rather than challenge. The controls and certain mini-games further contribute to the feeling of grind, making it difficult to maintain engagement.
- “It's not just this unnecessary addendum to each logic chain that makes things annoying, but also often tedious controls that make situations more difficult than they need to be.”
- “There were several puzzles I really enjoyed - but the game lacked flow and had too many moments that felt tedious and frustrating.”
- “There are also a lot of just annoying grindy parts that aren't really testing your brain but just your willpower to keep doing repetitive things (like the whole elevator section in the last chapter).”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The audio design effectively enhances the atmosphere of the game, striking a balance that enriches the experience without becoming overpowering.
- “The game's environment is rich and immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world.”
- “Every detail, from the lighting to the sound effects, contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.”
- “The audio design supports the atmosphere without overwhelming it.”
- “The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it feel disjointed and uninspired.”
- “Despite the visuals, the atmosphere feels flat and fails to engage the player.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is primarily delivered through witty character dialogue that enhances personality and provides levity during tough moments. Players found unexpected comedic elements, such as a quirky mini-game, to be amusing and refreshing, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience that fostered camaraderie among friends.
- “Dialogue between characters adds personality and occasionally humor, helping to lighten the mood during particularly challenging sequences.”
- “The random hard transitions in style of gameplay were jarring, and the final bracing yourself mini-game was hilarious because it was a whole new mechanic (despite how basic it was) that came out of nowhere with no real reason.”
- “The story was really thought out, and I was constantly laughing. When I say that our friendship grew, I truly mean it.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's replayability is somewhat limited due to its structured two-player progression, making it less engaging for those returning with the same partner after solving the puzzles. While the experience is enjoyable and immersive during the initial playthrough, it lacks a compelling story for multiple runs, though players can revisit levels by selecting different locations on the map.
- “However, because the experience is tightly structured around two-player progression, replay value is limited once puzzles are solved, especially if returning with the same partner.”
- “Each level is replayable by choosing a location from the map.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, while the game offers enjoyable discovery and collaboration, users have noted performance issues and suboptimal controls that detract from the experience.
- “My only complaint is the performance of the game.”
- “Just like the previous games of Eleven Puzzles, it's a lot of fun, even though the controls at some points were not really that optimized.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is mixed, with users reporting clunky mechanics and occasional bugs, particularly during mini-games and NPC interactions, which may be exacerbated by high ping. Despite these issues, players still find the overall experience enjoyable and commend the developers for their efforts.
- “Some of it is a bit clunky or buggy, but the devs deserve love for this project.”
- “- Tedious, buggy mini-games no one asked for.”
- “Although talking to NPCs with my other player was a little buggy sometimes (possibly due to high ping between us), this game was incredibly fun to play and the puzzles were a blast to solve, alongside the secret hunting.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game features some standout moments; however, it is hindered by subpar voice acting and character design, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The game has some highlight moments, but the voice acting, character design, and puzzle design are very lacking.”
- “Character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in character progression leaves the story feeling flat and unengaging.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music effectively enhances moments of tension and revelation, while the sound effects offer valuable feedback during gameplay interactions.
- “Music underscores moments of tension and revelation, while sound effects provide helpful feedback during interactions.”