Platonic
- May 13, 2022
- FidgetBear Games
Get on Steam"Platonic" is a exploration-based puzzle game where players traverse five interconnected worlds shaped after the Platonic solids, each with unique themes and gimmicks. Players gather clues and solve challenging puzzles without an inventory, relying solely on understanding each mechanism. The game emphasizes discovery and deep comprehension, with no two puzzles being alike.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Platonic features a variety of clever and unique puzzles that challenge players' logical thinking and problem-solving skills, providing rewarding 'aha' moments.
- The interconnected design of the puzzle areas encourages exploration and experimentation, allowing players to discover solutions through observation and deduction.
- The game has a calming atmosphere with beautiful low-poly visuals and a satisfying sound design, enhancing the overall puzzle-solving experience.
- The game can be frustrating due to its lack of clear direction and the need for extensive memorization of puzzle solutions, which can lead to confusion and disorientation.
- Some puzzles, particularly the sliding tile mechanics, are seen as tedious and detract from the overall enjoyment, making certain sections feel unnecessarily complicated.
- Progress saving issues have been reported, causing players to redo puzzles and potentially leading to burnout during longer play sessions.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a challenging and intriguing puzzle design that requires players to think critically and understand various mechanics without explicit tutorials. While the game offers a diverse array of puzzles, some mechanics can be complex and may lead to frustration, as players often need to experiment and pay close attention to their environment to progress. Overall, the experience is rewarding for those who enjoy mechanical puzzles, though some may prefer clearer feedback on their actions.
“Interesting puzzle game that really challenged me to think through some of the puzzles, with one mechanic that was very witness-like in its obfuscation.”
“Platonic is a fun puzzle game with some interesting mechanics.”
“I believe those puzzles or mechanics are not new, but they form a beautiful collection of how they can work out surprisingly.”
“Some of the mechanics of the game I still don't completely understand after completing the game.”
“There is no explanation or tutorial for the puzzle mechanics; you just have to try things out and pay attention to your surroundings to figure out how things work.”
“One of the mechanics in the water area with the red, green, and purple blocks was really complicated, and I'm not sure if there was a better way to solve it other than essentially brute forcing it by keeping notes for each combination.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some elements can feel tedious, particularly certain puzzles and areas, the dense content keeps the gameplay engaging. Despite a few frustrating moments, including a softlock, many players felt motivated to complete the game in one sitting, indicating that the overall experience remains entertaining.
“Puzzles are more tedious than requiring thinking.”
“But as it stands, it's just tedious.”
“It definitely feels a bit small - none of the areas are particularly large, though they're pretty dense with content - and there are a few spots that were a bit tedious as well as literally the last thing I had to finish in the game being kind of a crapshoot.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its calming quality and effective aura, enhancing the overall experience. Notably, it was composed by a single individual who undertook the entire development process, showcasing impressive talent and dedication.
“The music is calming.”
“The aura-type music was pretty good too.”
“What makes this even more incredible is the fact that it was made by one person who had to learn how to do everything to make this game: coding, animation, and music.”
- story3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional narrative, focusing instead on a gameplay loop centered around observation and experimentation across five themed worlds. Players appreciate the absence of a convoluted story, finding the puzzles themselves to be the main draw.
“The story unfolds beautifully, immersing you in a rich narrative that keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
“Each world is intricately designed, with its own unique theme that enhances the overall storytelling experience.”
“The narrative is compelling and well-paced, making every moment feel significant and rewarding.”
“While there is no story to speak of, the puzzles speak for themselves and are worth the time invested.”
“There is no story at all.”
“No pretentious story beats, just a solid 'observe, test, intuit' gameplay loop taking you to five different worlds, each with their own theme.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its unique identity while evoking familiar vibes from similar titles. It effectively combines atmospheric elements with clever puzzle mechanics, enhancing the overall experience.
“Atmospherically and aesthetically, you will get the same vibes from the games I mentioned, but it all has its own identity.”
“Really cool little puzzle game that has a strong focus on atmospheric puzzles and a pretty clever use of its own numbering system to solve puzzles.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a unique low-poly aesthetic that contributes to its atmospheric and aesthetic identity, reminiscent of other titles while maintaining its own charm. Despite the simplistic visuals, the graphics do not detract from the quality of the gameplay, particularly in its puzzle design.
“Atmospherically and aesthetically, you will get the same vibes from the games I mentioned, but it all has its own identity.”
“Don't let the low-poly graphics fool you - this game's puzzles are up there with the best.”
“The low-poly graphics are a major drawback, making the game feel outdated and less immersive.”
“The visuals lack detail and polish, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“While the game has potential, the graphics are disappointing and fail to capture the atmosphere.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find "Platonic" to be a deeply intellectual experience that evokes a sense of brilliance and emotional engagement, highlighting its capacity to stimulate thought and reflection.
“Platonic is one of the most cerebral games I've played, and it made me feel brilliant.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is reported to run smoothly without any noticeable optimization issues, indicating a well-optimized performance.
“The game runs smoothly, and I haven't noticed any issues.”
“The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate throughout.”
