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Plug & Play

84%Game Brain Score
humor, story
replayability, grinding
84% User Score Based on 2,568 reviews

Platforms

PCPCAndroidAndroidiPhoneiPhoneWindowsWindowsLinuxLinuxMac OSMac OSMobile PlatformMobile PlatformiPadiPadPhonePhoneTabletTablet
Buy Nowfrom $3
Buy NowGet on Steam$3.99

About

"Plug & Play" is an interactive animation by Michael Frei and coded by Mario von Rickenbach, featuring a surreal universe of plugs. This odd yet charming game, which takes 10-15 minutes to play, has won several awards and been praised by critics for its surprising emotional depth. More information can be found at plugplay.ch.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Plug & Play screenshot
Plug & Play screenshot
Plug & Play screenshot

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,568 reviews
humor154 positive mentions
replayability8 negative mentions
  • Unique and surreal experience that challenges traditional gaming norms.
  • Visually captivating with a minimalist art style and excellent sound design.
  • Offers a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on relationships and human connection.
  • Extremely short gameplay, typically lasting only 10-15 minutes.
  • Limited interactivity, often feeling more like an animated short than a game.
  • Price may not justify the brief experience, leading to feelings of disappointment.
  • humor
    156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity, quirkiness, and ability to provoke laughter, often described as surreal, weird, and sometimes crude. Many players found the dialogue and scenarios to be hilariously confusing, with a mix of playful and philosophical undertones, though some noted that the game is quite short. Overall, it appeals to those with a taste for unconventional humor, making it a memorable, albeit brief, comedic experience.

    • “The dialogue was pretty funny.”
    • “Definitely one of the weird and funny games I have ever seen and played.”
    • “It made me laugh, it made me cringe, it made me confused, and it made me think; not bad for a 15-minute game.”
    • “Imagine a WarioWare game in which you're not sure if it's supposed to be funny or not.”
    • “I would love to make some kind of funny review of this game knowing how weird and original it is, but the fact that I paid about 10 times what this game is worth kind of demotivates me.”
  • story
    145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Plug & Play" is characterized as a unique blend of interactive and atmospheric storytelling, often described as surreal and abstract, with themes of love, rejection, and conformity. While some players appreciate its emotional depth and artistic visuals, others criticize its brevity and lack of traditional narrative structure, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact. Despite its short duration, the game manages to evoke a range of responses, from delight to confusion, making it a thought-provoking experience for those open to its unconventional approach.

    • “It's a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, drawing players deeper into its enchanting world with each passing moment.”
    • “Plug & play is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling that defies categorization.”
    • “The story is both interesting and addicting, leaving you wanting more.”
    • “The game has a very ambiguous and vague way of telling its story.”
    • “There isn't any real story, just give it a go.”
    • “While the animations are intriguing and the story is pleasantly weird, other than that I cannot recommend this game as the gameplay is tedious and the story just really doesn't make sense.”
  • gameplay
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this title is characterized by its simplicity and minimalism, often described as engaging yet frustratingly short, typically lasting around 10 to 20 minutes. While some players appreciate the unique and thought-provoking experience it offers, many criticize the lack of depth and content, feeling that the gameplay does not justify its price. Overall, it seems to serve more as an artistic expression than a traditional game, with mechanics that can feel tedious and repetitive.

    • “The gameplay itself is deceptively simple yet endlessly engaging.”
    • “Its captivating visuals, thought-provoking narrative, and engaging gameplay combine to create an experience that is as unforgettable as it is enjoyable.”
    • “The game mechanics are very simple and intuitive, and it all plays very smoothly.”
    • “Heads up, some playsets made for toddlers have more gameplay to them than this title.”
    • “I got it on sale, otherwise I think I would complain about the lack of content and extremely short gameplay (10 minutes).”
    • “While the animations are intriguing and the story is pleasantly weird, other than that I cannot recommend this game as the gameplay is tedious and the story just really doesn't make sense.”
  • emotional
    77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely recognized, with many players expressing that it evokes a range of feelings, from joy to sorrow, often leading to tears. While some reviewers appreciate its ability to convey deep emotional narratives in a short time, others criticize its simplicity and the lack of emotional investment due to its brief format. Overall, the game is described as a surreal yet touching experience that resonates on various emotional levels, despite its unconventional presentation.

    • “The ending made me cry.”
    • “I was not expecting this game to touch me on such a deeply emotional level as it did, but here I am telling you about it.”
    • “This game connects with me on a deep emotional level.”
  • graphics
    70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics are characterized by a minimalistic and surreal aesthetic that many players find captivating, with a unique blend of simplicity and imagination. While some reviews note the low quality of graphics compared to modern standards, others appreciate the artistic approach, stating that the visuals effectively convey deeper themes and enhance the overall experience. Overall, the art style is described as interesting and fitting for the game's experimental nature, appealing to those who enjoy quirky and avant-garde designs.

    • “The game's surreal aesthetic is a visual feast for the senses, with each scene bursting with color and imagination.”
    • “While 'Plug & Play' is a very short game, it delivers beautiful animation and a fantastically interpretative and metaphorical story told through strange and abstract visuals.”
    • “A great art style and stunning graphics.”
    • “You may be asking, why the low quality graphics? I know what you are thinking, 'unmet, where are the realistic graphics, the ray-tracing, where are the textures that draw you into the game.'”
    • “Gameplay and graphics are minimalistic and simplistic.”
    • “A pretentiously vague point-and-click game with the aesthetic (and content) of your below-average indie animation festival submission.”
  • music
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its excellent quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its unique and fitting integration with the art style and gameplay. The soundtrack is described as minimalistic yet impactful, featuring diverse compositions that resonate with the game's themes and emotional depth. Overall, the sound design and music contribute significantly to the player's experience, leaving a lasting impression.

    • “The soundtrack and sound design of the game are excellent, and create a unique atmosphere.”
    • “I won’t go into it too much now, but the music changes with each scene so perfectly, it fits the mellowness of the colorful art style very well.”
    • “The music is minimal but works with the game perfectly.”
    • “Basic visual.. weird music.. easy gameplay.. 5-10 minutes of gameplay is all you need...”
    • “The soundtrack is just as minimalistic as the graphics, but has an eerie beauty to it.”
    • “Janky in that way that makes you feel uncomfortable, and the discordant music in the background really adds to the awkwardness.”
  • replayability
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability, with many players noting the game's extremely short duration (around 10-12 minutes) as a significant factor limiting its replay value. While some found it enjoyable to share with friends or appreciated its depth, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial replayability, with several users rating it as low as 0/10. Overall, the game is seen as a brief experience that may not warrant repeated playthroughs.

    • “I found it had quite a bit of replayability when showing it to unsuspecting friends who had never seen or heard of it before.”
    • “I have never seen a game with so much depth and replayability before; the amount of layers this game has is on par with an onion. It will make you cry tears, and like an onion, these tears come out of nowhere and you don't understand them, and you'll have people looking over your shoulder asking why you are crying.”
    • “10/10 definitely worth the buy; tons of replayability, was laughing the whole time.”
    • “I finished in 8 minutes and it's not very replayable, so don't think I can really recommend this for anything more than a dollar.”
    • “There is no replayability and no way to lose.”
    • “Overall, the game took me 12 minutes to finish with little to no replay value.”
  • atmosphere
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its exceptional soundtrack and sound design, which enhance its immersive storytelling and unique aesthetic. Reviewers note a blend of humor and eeriness, with a striking contrast between casual visuals and dramatic audio elements that create a bizarre yet captivating environment. Overall, the atmosphere is described as rich, surreal, and engaging, drawing players into its enchanting world.

    • “The soundtrack and sound design of the game are excellent, and create a unique atmosphere.”
    • “It's a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, drawing players deeper into its enchanting world with each passing moment.”
    • “Everything goes towards the nice atmosphere it creates.”
    • “A bit of humor with an eerie atmosphere.”
    • “What I mean by duality is that the game seems so casual, not serious at all at first glance, and the choir gives it a kind of dramatic alien atmosphere that does feel very serious.”
    • “Anyway, it's indeed an interesting game with a bizarre and absurd atmosphere.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and lengthy, with some players finding it a bit grindy at times. While it may appeal to those who enjoy repetitive gameplay, many reviewers feel that it detracts from the overall experience, making it less enjoyable for others.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's a bit grindy at times.”
    • “It can feel like one long, tedious grind.”
    • “one long, tedious grind”
    • “the gameplay is very simple and almost tedious and annoying at times.”
    • “tedious gameplay”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its creative character designs and engaging dialogue, which together contribute to a moving and immersive experience. The attention to detail enhances the overall depth of the characters and their interactions within the surreal landscapes.

    • “The dialogue and character development were very moving.”
    • “From the quirky character designs to the surreal landscapes, every detail is a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of its developers.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users generally report that the game is stable, with minimal bugs affecting gameplay. Overall, the experience is smooth and reliable, contributing positively to player satisfaction.

  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game is generally well-received, particularly for its interactive performance art elements, suggesting that it runs smoothly and effectively enhances the overall experience.

Buy Plug & Play

3h Median play time
2h Average play time
1-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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