Parcel

About

"Parcel" is a Science Fiction Adventure game that offers both single-player and local co-op modes for 2-4 players, with split-screen and good graphics. The game features over 120 unique puzzles and a level editor, following a 22nd century postage company while exploring themes of post-humanism and virtual reality. It aims to intellectually challenge players and leave them questioning the future of gaming and humanity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 85 reviews

gameplay9 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features clever puzzle design with a variety of characters, each having unique abilities that enhance gameplay and keep it engaging.
With over 125 levels, the game offers a satisfying challenge that gradually increases in difficulty, providing a rewarding experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
The graphics and atmosphere are visually appealing, creating an immersive environment that complements the puzzle-solving experience.

The lack of an undo button is a significant flaw, making it frustrating to correct mistakes and leading to potential level restarts.
Some players find the controls to be stiff and the interface clunky, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
The music and sound effects are often described as repetitive and uninspired, leading some players to mute the game while playing.

gameplay
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
9%
The gameplay is praised for its innovative mechanics and gradual introduction of new characters, which keeps the experience engaging and challenging. However, some players find the difficulty progression uneven and the abundance of mechanics overwhelming, potentially alienating those less fond of puzzle games. Overall, the game offers a solid and enjoyable puzzle experience, though it may cater more to a niche audience.
- “In terms of puzzle design and mechanics, this is one of the best games I have ever played.”
- “The brilliance in the game mechanics, well-designed levels, fluid controls, and nice graphics makes for one of the most satisfying and fun puzzle games that I have played in years.”
- “Was expecting an unoriginal puzzle game to waste a few hours on, but wound up with 20+ hours of extremely challenging gameplay based on unique, innovative character abilities.”
- “Most of the puzzlers will show you new mechanics/characters, they use them for a certain number of levels and then they don't combine them at all or combine them in a casual way.”
- “There's just way too many mechanics going on at the same time.”
- “But, the one gameplay issue I have is that the difficulty progression isn't smooth.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
54%
13%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant, high-tech, and cyberpunk aesthetic, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the pleasing art style and dynamic visuals, noting that they are more detailed than typical for a puzzle game. While some players suggest that the graphics look better on lower settings, the overall consensus is that the visuals contribute positively to the game's appeal.
- “Pretty visuals and atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are also really good and set some kind of high-tech 'cyberpunk' mood.”
- “The graphics, animations, atmosphere, all of it; they are a perfect mix.”
- “Music is not good and the game looks better when you set the graphics to low.”
- “The story and aesthetics are something about a dystopian science lab, though I couldn't figure out how any of that related to the characters' goals.”
- “Graphics are shiny, I bet for some it's 'too' colorful, and probably nicer and more detailed than a puzzle game would require, but anyway.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
52%
24%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it repetitive and uninspired, particularly criticizing the title screen music for being distracting. However, others appreciate the stage music, especially the "final" boss theme and the relaxing "special place" track, noting that while it may not be exceptional, it complements the gameplay well. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as decent but not standout, with options to mute it if desired.
- “Most stage music, however, is pretty good (especially the 'final' boss music).”
- “I like the relaxing 'special place' music.”
- “It has an awesome soundtrack, cool atmosphere, and is the most fun game I have in my library right now.”
- “The music was distracting and repetitive.”
- “The only annoying part of the music is the title screen.”
- “Music is bad and sound effects are repetitive.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game's story is minimal and largely conveyed through collectible "dataspheres" and exposition cubes, which many players found unengaging. While the dystopian science lab setting offers some intrigue, the narrative lacks clarity and connection to character goals, leaving players to interpret the story on their own. Overall, the plot has potential but feels underdeveloped, with some players expressing curiosity about specific elements.
- “You've got to move some subset of those characters (and perhaps pick up a 'data sphere' which gives you the storyline) along the way to their own ending positions.”
- “The story is intriguing... I need to know who this yellow future postman is!”
- “Oh and there's some kind of story being told via unlockables, dataspheres that you collect by walking over them, but I didn't really care too much to read them after the first one or two.”
- “The story and aesthetics are something about a dystopian science lab, though I couldn't figure out how any of that related to the characters' goals.”
- “Optionally, you can pick up glowy exposition cubes as a bonus challenge in the puzzle rooms, which just deliver boring science reports and backstory.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its stunning visuals and immersive soundtracks, creating a captivating environment that enhances the overall experience. While the narrative may be minimal, the collection of "dataspheres" enriches the setting, and the balance of dark yet colorful elements keeps players engaged and challenged. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a perfect blend of graphics, animations, and mood, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment.
- “It has an awesome soundtrack, cool atmosphere, and is the most fun game I have in my library right now.”
- “The graphics, animations, atmosphere, all of it; they are a perfect mix.”
- “There isn't much of a story, but you can understand the environment and atmosphere of the game when you collect 'dataspheres,' which are like diary entries by the digital beings.”
- “Dark, yet colorful atmosphere allows you to stay as long as you like, and after a while, the game ramps up the difficulty so that you constantly stay properly challenged.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Overall, users report that the game has some bugs, but the frequency and severity of these issues seem to vary, with some players experiencing fewer problems than others.
- “For some reason, it wasn't as buggy.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any major glitches.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay feels; it enhances the overall experience.”
- “Yes, it's a little buggy.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the experience.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in relation to its puzzle mechanics, which can lead to a frustrating experience.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and monotonous.”
- “I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which makes the game feel tedious.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is frustrating and takes away from the enjoyment.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviews indicate that players feel the game's optimization challenges have highlighted their own cognitive decline, suggesting that the game's demands may be taxing or overwhelming for some users. Overall, the optimization appears to be a point of concern, impacting player experience.
- “The game is poorly optimized, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “I experienced constant crashes and long loading times, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- “Despite having a high-end PC, the game runs like it's from a decade ago, making it frustrating to play.”