Pillar

About

Pillar is a single player hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Gonçalo Antunes and was released on May 29, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Lost in an intimate snowy town, a palette of individuals are in search of a mysterious artifact said to bring great knowledge and understanding. Lead each character through their quest in this collection of minigames, each with unique personalities and challenges...

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 27 reviews

music5 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Pillar features enchanting music and charming retro-styled graphics that create a captivating atmosphere.
The puzzles are thoughtfully designed, providing a good balance of challenge without being overwhelming.
The game explores deep emotional themes and presents its story in a unique, minimalist way through visuals and music.

Some players found the gameplay mechanics confusing and the story hard to follow, leading to a lack of engagement.
The art style and graphics received mixed reviews, with some describing them as eye-assaultingly bad.
There are reports of bugs and performance issues that hinder the overall experience.

music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The music in Pillar is widely praised for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the game's retro aesthetic and storytelling. Players appreciate how the soundtrack adapts to different environments, effectively conveying character emotions and setting the mood throughout the gameplay. Many have expressed their enjoyment of the music so much that they purchased the soundtrack, highlighting its integral role in creating a relaxing and immersive experience.
- “Pillar is a small gem that stands out with its enchanting music and retro-styled graphics.”
- “As you move through the town and explore different areas, the music changes; industrial in the hospital, angelic in the cathedral, and whimsical in the forest.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “Clever puzzles with a chilled-out atmosphere and music.”
- “The fact that all the story is told without any words is impressive, and it is fantastic that the developers relied on only the visuals and music to tell the whole story.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The story in Pillar is conveyed through vibrant visuals and atmospheric sound rather than traditional narrative elements, creating a unique but sometimes confusing experience for players. While some appreciate the minimalist approach and the emotional depth it offers, others find it challenging to follow the plot due to the lack of explicit storytelling. Overall, the game's reliance on imagery and music to communicate its themes is both praised and critiqued for its clarity.
- “The background sound of whirling machines and the laughter of children create an atmosphere and breathe life into the story.”
- “The fact that all the story is told without any words is impressive, and it is fantastic that the developers relied on only the visuals and music to tell the whole story.”
- “Pillar is a game that requires some mental gymnastics to understand the story.”
- “I found the story to be very confusing and hard to follow.”
- “The story could be clearer; however, being the goal of the game to be minimalist in the telling of the characters' tales, that could be understandable.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the hand-drawn art style as a charming touch that complements the music, while others criticize the overall visual quality as poor and even "eye damaging." Despite the impressive storytelling through visuals and music, the game's graphical execution has left some players disappointed.
- “Pillar is a small gem that stands out with its enchanting music and retro-styled graphics.”
- “The fact that all the story is told without any words is impressive, and it is fantastic that the developers relied on only the visuals and music to tell the whole story.”
- “Hand-drawn graphics give the game a nice touch.”
- “The game is buggy, looks bad, and the artwork was so poor that I needed to check into an ER.”
- “I cannot recommend anyone pay $8 for eye-damagingly bad graphics.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating presentation, enhanced by charming visuals and atmospheric music. The combination of background sounds, such as whirling machines and children's laughter, effectively brings the story to life, making it an engaging experience for players seeking both challenge and ambiance.
- “The game’s atmosphere is immediately captivating, drawing you in with its simple yet beautiful presentation.”
- “The background sound of whirling machines and the laughter of children create an atmosphere that breathes life into the story.”
- “I thought the game was utterly charming, with nice art complemented by atmospheric music and fairly challenging puzzles.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Gameplay is marked by confusion due to conflicting design choices and unclear mechanics, leading to a sense of repetition over time. However, players note that the challenges presented remain engaging despite these issues.
- “Tldr: Confusing gameplay due to conflicting design decisions.”
- “Unclear mechanics and rules.”
- “Although the game's mechanics become repetitive over time, they never lack challenge.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and poor visual quality that detract from the overall experience. Some players have found the artwork so unappealing that it has negatively impacted their enjoyment.
- “The game is buggy and looks bad, with artwork that is so poor I felt the need to check into an ER.”
- “The stability issues make it nearly unplayable, with frequent crashes and glitches ruining the experience.”
- “I encountered constant frame drops and crashes, which completely disrupted my gameplay.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a unique and intriguing exploration of psychological themes, resulting in a subtly emotional experience for players.
- “The game's unique concept delves into psychology, making it a fascinating and emotionally engaging experience.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, leaving a lasting impact long after I finished playing.”
- “I was surprised by how much the story affected me; it beautifully captures the complexities of human emotions.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is generally well-received, with users noting that it performs effectively across various systems.
- “The performance is pretty well optimized, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how the game runs efficiently, making it accessible to a wider range of players.”
- “The optimization really shines, providing a seamless experience without any noticeable lag.”