Polynomial 2

About

"Polynomial 2" is a musical rhythm-based tunnel shooter game where players fly through vibrant, abstract geometric landsces, all set to a thumping electronic soundtrack. The game features a variety of modes, including a level editor, and challenges players to shoot and dodge objects in time with the music. Players can also create and share their own custom levels with the community.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 115 reviews

music31 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features stunning visuals that are particularly impressive in VR, creating a mesmerizing experience.
It allows players to use their own music, enhancing the overall enjoyment and personalization of the gameplay.
The developer is responsive and engaged with the community, showing a commitment to improving the game based on player feedback.

The game feels incomplete and lacks significant content, leading to a repetitive experience after a short playtime.
Controls can be clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for players to fully enjoy the gameplay.
The game has been in early access for an extended period, raising concerns about its future development and support.

music
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
3%
The music aspect of the game is highly praised for its integration and ability to enhance the visual experience, often described as a mesmerizing music visualizer rather than a traditional game. While many players appreciate the option to use their own music, some express frustration over the lack of synchronization between gameplay and music, as well as the repetitive nature of the in-game soundtrack. Overall, the combination of engaging visuals and music creates a relaxing atmosphere, making it a suitable choice for fans of music-driven experiences.
- “A great way to relax and just enjoy some excellent visuals and of course your favorite music as well.”
- “Waves of color burst and pulse to the beat and melody of your music and it is incredible.”
- “If you love listening to music, and/or love visualizers, you are silly to not have this game.”
- “Don't buy if you are trying to add your own music in 2024.”
- “When I started this game, I found that the music has no bearing outside of the visual aspects.”
- “Durring my play time I loaded three songs and none of them had any effect on the game or the universe; it was just some pulsating lines in the distance that flashed without any relation to the music.”
graphics
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
6%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning, psychedelic visuals and the ability to customize aesthetics based on personal music choices. However, some players feel that the visuals do not pop as expected, particularly in VR, and that the overall aesthetic has diminished compared to previous iterations. Despite these criticisms, the integration of visuals with music and the variety of graphical settings are highlighted as strong points, making it a visually engaging experience for many players.
- “The visuals, which are the main selling point for this game, are fantastic.”
- “Amazing visuals and overall fun gameplay.”
- “The game's psychedelic visuals are absolutely amazing in 3D with it wrapped around your head.”
- “My biggest problem with the game is that the 3D visuals just don't pop at all.”
- “This game is a graphical mess more than it is trippy or artful.”
- “There's just something wrong with the way the graphics were translated to VR.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
Gameplay in the reviewed game is generally perceived as simplistic and clunky, with many players noting a lack of quality-of-life features and a level structure that feels drawn-out and arbitrary. While the visuals and music synchronization are praised, some users feel the gameplay lacks depth and complexity compared to the original, making it more akin to a music visualizer than a fully engaging game. Overall, the experience is mixed, with strong audiovisual elements overshadowing the gameplay mechanics.
- “Amazing visuals and overall fun gameplay.”
- “Plenty of options for both graphics and gameplay to ensure it will work on your rig and play how you want.”
- “With more gameplay and content being added, this one also feels much more rounded and fun than the first.”
- “The controls are super clunky, and most of the game mechanics seem arbitrary.”
- “The gameplay is very barren and so far boring.”
- “However, I found gameplay a little over-simple; specifically, I think some levels could do with more complexity rather than just having more or harder enemies.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The story is criticized for being a disjointed and underdeveloped experience, resembling a brief addition that should have been DLC for the original game. While visually appealing, it lacks depth and substance, offering only a short narrative with minimal engagement thereafter.
- “This feels like it should have been DLC for the original game to add a linear story.”
- “It looks pretty, but after a short 15-minute 'story,' there is very little to do.”
- “The 'story' is a clueless mess.”
- “There's no story.”
- “It looks pretty, but after a short 15-minute 'story', there is very little to do.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game runs smoothly in VR, providing an immersive experience, but it is not fully optimized for non-VR setups, lacking features like customizable controls. While there are no performance issues or sim sickness reported, the visual quality is constrained by the VR headset's resolution.
- “In VR, this game runs smoothly and is wonderfully immersive, though it is limited by the VR headset's resolution and can look even better on a good display.”
- “It's not really optimized for that setup; for example, it wouldn't let me configure the hat switch for strafing.”
- “No sim sickness or performance issues at all.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is described as psychedelic and immersive, enhanced by a 3D science fiction environment that complements its chill music setlist. Users appreciate the combination of dynamic music visualization with gameplay, making it a unique and engaging experience for a reasonable price.
- “I listened to some music that made a great combo with Polynomial 2 (music by 'Atyya' I got from Bandcamp) because it is sort of psychedelic itself and very atmospheric.”
- “Decent software solely for static music visualization can run $20-$40; this game gives visualization in a maneuverable 3D, science fiction-esque atmosphere, an option for actual gameplay, and an initial setlist of chill music for $12.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the irony of it being in early access for six years, which many players find amusing.
- “It's also hilarious that this game is still in early access after 6 years.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever writing and unexpected jokes that keep me laughing.”
- “I love how the game uses absurd situations to create humor; it never fails to surprise me!”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players highlight the game's profound emotional impact, suggesting it resonates deeply with their feelings and experiences, making it a must-have for those who appreciate a strong emotional core in gaming.
- “Take it from an audiophile, buy this game and put it next to that emotional core of your heart where it belongs :)”
- “The story resonated with me on a personal level, making me reflect on my own experiences and emotions.”
- “Every character's journey felt deeply relatable, pulling at my heartstrings and leaving a lasting impact.”