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Primordia

A striking and unique adventure with an annoying sidekick.
Primordia Game Cover
84%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, grinding
97% User Score Based on 2,729 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxPCTabletMac OSPhoneiPadSteam DeckMobile PlatformiPhoneWindows
Primordia Game Cover

About

Primordia is a single player arcade role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Wormwood Studios and was released on December 5, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Primordia is a single-player, hilarious and wholesome post-apocalyptic Science Fiction Arcade game, featuring an atmospheric setting, amazing visuals, and soundtrack. You play as Horatio Nullbuilt, a stoic robot searching for the energy source that was stolen from him and his companion Crispin. The game offers an epic storyline and optional puzzles, leading to discoveries about the extinction of the human race and Horatio's origins, while voiced by Logan Cunningham.

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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,729 reviews
story1.1k positive mentions
stability17 negative mentions

  • Engaging story with deep philosophical themes about identity and existence.
  • Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric sound design that enhances the experience.
  • Crispin, the sidekick, provides helpful hints and adds humor to the narrative.
  • Some puzzles can be overly obscure or require pixel hunting, leading to frustration.
  • The game can feel short, with some players wishing for more content or exploration.
  • Certain choices made early in the game can lock players out of better endings without warning.
  • story
    1,944 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Primordia" is widely praised for its engaging narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world where robots grapple with their existence after humanity's extinction. Players appreciate the well-developed characters, intriguing plot twists, and the philosophical themes woven throughout the game, which encourage exploration and reflection. While some found the puzzles challenging and occasionally frustrating, the overall consensus is that the story's depth and emotional resonance make it a standout experience in the point-and-click genre.

    • “The story is intriguing, with a strong cast of main and supporting characters who are all distinct and well-voiced.”
    • “Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where humans are long extinct and robots struggle to define their own existence, it tells a story that is both bleak and deeply thoughtful.”
    • “The game is genuinely fantastic, from the start it nails the feeling of being in a larger world with a lot more to learn about, the two main characters are both incredibly well written, and their chemistry is strong which makes them a fantastic emotional core to the story.”
    • “The story is not particularly original, but that's okay.”
    • “The story was okay, but somewhat uninspired; the game offers a lot of different endings that you mostly decide at the very end of the game.”
    • “The story is fine as far as writing goes, but it does not really go fully in this direction and remains a 'beautiful adventure game' with a great story plot.”
  • graphics
    682 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Primordia" are characterized by a retro pixel-art aesthetic that evokes nostalgia for classic point-and-click adventure games, blending beautifully with its post-apocalyptic theme. While some players appreciate the unique and atmospheric art style, others find the low resolution and pixelation can hinder gameplay, making it difficult to identify interactive elements. Overall, the visuals are praised for their charm and artistic quality, contributing significantly to the game's immersive storytelling and atmosphere.

    • “The artwork is consistently beautiful, and the narrative pulls you in completely.”
    • “The art style is stellar; I'd say it is more dieselpunk than steampunk.”
    • “Primordia is pure 2D pixelated adventure with a unique art style, gripping story that will leave you thinking, great voice acting, and atmosphere of dystopian future emanating from every single pixel.”
    • “The graphics are quite low resolution, but the art brings it alive regardless.”
    • “The graphics are the crudest among the rest of Wadjet's games; the gameplay is too simple and the puzzles too.”
    • “The graphics leave a lot to be desired, but the story is great, the interplay between the main characters is awesome and the puzzles are fun and challenging.”
  • music
    392 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its haunting and immersive qualities that perfectly complement the visuals and narrative. Nathaniel Chambers' soundtrack is highlighted as a standout feature, evoking a sense of melancholy and wonder, while the voice acting and sound design further enrich the overall experience. However, some players found the music to be somewhat repetitive or simple, suggesting it blends into the background rather than standing out on its own. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a key element that contributes significantly to the game's emotional depth and immersive world-building.

    • “The music, voice acting, visuals, and writing are very well done and memorable.”
    • “The voice acting, especially for Horatio and Crispin, adds depth and personality, and Nathaniel Chambers’ soundtrack enhances the sense of melancholy and wonder.”
    • “The soundtrack is very immersive and atmospheric.”
    • “Unfortunately, the soundtrack is rather simple and largely lacking, mainly featuring the same theme repeated; it adds nothing to the world and is mostly forgettable.”
    • “The music isn't phenomenal on its own, but it blends in perfectly with the atmosphere and setting.”
    • “While pleasant to listen to and not annoying in any way, none of the tunes were especially catchy or easily memorable, and in a few of the dramatic scenes a stronger musical touch would have gone a long way.”
  • atmosphere
    383 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Primordia" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing a post-apocalyptic world filled with rich worldbuilding and emotional depth. Players appreciate the combination of atmospheric visuals, a compelling soundtrack, and engaging voice acting, which together create a unique and memorable experience reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures. The game's ability to blend humor with a melancholic tone further enhances its atmospheric appeal, making it a standout title in the genre.

    • “A fantastic, bleak post-apocalyptic sci-fi point-and-click with an incredibly atmospheric world to explore.”
    • “The desolate landscapes, broken machines, and ruined cityscapes are haunting and atmospheric, giving the world a sense of lived-in decay.”
    • “The atmosphere is absolutely unmatched.”
    • “I couldn't immerse myself into the atmosphere and the whole world design was 'too human'.”
    • “The melancholic, dismal, void-of-life atmosphere of the title is both exceedingly strong and somehow calming.”
    • “Although at first- and even throughout much of the game, as many of the characters are lighthearted- somewhat comedic, the game's oppressive and bleak dystopian atmosphere was surprisingly dark and depressing.”
  • gameplay
    255 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Primordia* is characterized by traditional point-and-click mechanics, featuring puzzle-solving and item interaction that often requires logical thinking. While some players appreciate the engaging story and rich world-building, others find the gameplay somewhat dated and occasionally frustrating, with obscure puzzles and a lack of polish in user experience. Overall, the game successfully combines its narrative depth with classic adventure gameplay, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre, though it may not appeal to those seeking modern gameplay standards.

    • “In the end, Primordia succeeds because it pairs classic adventure mechanics with exceptional writing and a richly imagined world.”
    • “The puzzles are also fun and logical, with built mechanics to push you towards the correct solution if you are stuck, and they're very satisfying when you realize what you have to do.”
    • “Amazing story and lore coupled with stimulating gameplay characterized by clever puzzles that manage to be tricky while being perfectly logical at the same time add up to a wonderfully immersive gaming experience.”
    • “The gameplay could use some fixing… like having a button to display all the interactable items in the area in case the players cannot find them due to the pixelated style of the game.”
    • “An interesting world with nice art and ambiance that is held back in the later parts by gameplay mechanics that I found annoying.”
    • “In the end, the gameplay was quite tedious to me.”
  • humor
    245 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mix of clever, witty dialogue and charming character interactions, particularly between the protagonist Horatio and his humorous sidekick Crispin, which often elicits genuine laughter. While some players found the humor to be hit-or-miss or overly cheesy, many appreciated its ability to lighten the otherwise bleak atmosphere, making the experience engaging and memorable. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with deeper themes, providing a rich narrative experience that resonates with fans of the genre.

    • “The dialogue and funny bits snuggled in with both main and side interactions were a nice treat and got a few chuckles and even a bark of laughter out of me!”
    • “Crispin, your flying robot sidekick, had me laughing so many times.”
    • “The characters and story really lift this above your average point-and-click adventure game - Horatio and Crispin's constant banter is hilarious, and I got a kick out of the other robots they meet along their journey.”
    • “Atmospheric, but boring and not funny, despite desperately trying to be.”
    • “This programming humor has the potential to be unfunny and cringe-worthy as it usually is in your typical office space or classroom, but the delivery was smooth and self-aware enough to make it work.”
  • emotional
    55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting the strong chemistry and well-written characters, particularly Horatio and Crispin, which create a compelling emotional core. Many reviewers express that the narrative evokes a range of feelings, from laughter to tears, and effectively explores themes of empathy and connection, even among robotic characters. While some found the emotional impact varied, the overall consensus is that the game successfully engages players on a deep emotional level, making it a memorable experience.

    • “I remember when I first played this game I wasn't expecting it to be what it was for me... an emotional roller coaster - but the characters were written so well it was hard to not get attached to Horatio and Crispin.”
    • “Primordia is an emotionally engaging, deep, and thought-provoking game.”
    • “The friendship between the two main characters had me so invested in their stories that I got a bit emotional at some parts, and even all of the side characters you meet in passing were wonderful while they're on screen.”
  • replayability
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the multiple endings and choices that enhance the experience, while others find it lacking due to repetitive gameplay or minimal incentive to replay. Many reviews highlight that the inclusion of alternate endings and optional puzzles adds some depth and replay value, though some players feel that the overall replayability is limited. Overall, while there are elements that encourage revisiting the game, opinions vary on how compelling these are.

    • “Great experience with an engaging storyline and occasionally ambiguous scenarios with multiple solutions, giving replay value.”
    • “It's at the perfect length for this genre and also provides replayability with multiple endings and optional puzzles that further explain the lore of this universe.”
    • “The story was actually surprisingly well done and with multiple endings it just increases the replay value as well as my interests.”
    • “That said, there is little replay value in Primordia, because some puzzles can be solved in different ways, which grants you achievements, but this is not worth it for me.”
    • “I think point-and-click adventure games are never replayable, no matter how hard they try, and this is no exception.”
    • “In the end, this is an adventure game, so replayability is already low.”
  • stability
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting a range of issues from minor graphical glitches and occasional freezing to more severe game-breaking crashes and sound loss. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these bugs, others struggled with frustrating glitches that required extensive troubleshooting. Overall, potential buyers should be aware of the risk of encountering significant stability problems that could disrupt gameplay.

    • “The music complements the experience perfectly, the locations are memorable, and it runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “As an added bonus, it runs great on Linux with Proton out of the box.”
    • “There was a handful of spots that are known to be buggy that got me frustrated and had to try for an hour, following small guides to undo it.”
    • “Even though I loved the game for an adventure game, I cannot recommend it as it is, for it kept crashing or getting glitches where all sound was lost until resetting.”
    • “Only buy this game if you acknowledge the danger of crashes and glitches because it can happen to you too and you may have to stop playing midway or spend lots of time troubleshooting, killing your experience.”
  • grinding
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, player feedback on "grinding" in the game is mixed. While some found certain puzzles and dialogue to be tedious and occasionally frustrating, many appreciated the game's design for minimizing typical grindy elements found in point-and-click adventures. The balance of challenge and engagement varied, with some players enjoying the experience despite a few tedious moments, while others felt overwhelmed by the need for multiple playthroughs to achieve completion.

    • “Maybe I'm just a dummy, but having to bust out the pen and paper to figure this junk out sort of brings the whole experience to a grinding halt.”
    • “This was a really interesting game, though it took me four playthroughs to get every achievement since the last two were tedious.”
    • “It has amazing music and nice artwork, but the puzzles feel quite tedious and very 20 years ago-ish, and not in a good sense.”
  • character development
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its superb voice acting and well-thought-out designs, contributing to a rich narrative experience. While the main character's growth is highlighted as a strong point, some reviewers noted that side characters could benefit from more interaction to enhance their development. Overall, the combination of engaging storylines, creative character dynamics, and atmospheric design creates a compelling backdrop for character exploration, though some felt emotional connections were lacking.

    • “Superb voice acting and character development.”
    • “But if you really like games that emphasize story, dialogue, character development, and problem solving, then this game is about as good as it gets.”
    • “More interaction would have allowed better character development for side characters…but it is just a point and click game after all.”
    • “The character development was never built up long enough for me to feel any emotional connections with the characters, and there were some uninspired and cliched plot turns.”
    • “Not only was I surprised at every turn by a creative plot, but the character development is the cherry on the cake.”
  • optimization
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game received mixed reviews; while some players reported smooth performance and no bugs, others experienced significant stuttering and poor optimization on modern machines. Overall, the game is praised for its compelling art direction, writing, and voice performances, but technical issues detracted from the experience for some users.

    • “Performance is good and I encountered zero bugs.”
    • “The art really draws you into the world, the characters endear themselves to you, the interface runs smoothly, and the story grows from a simple quest into something much grander.”
    • “Gameplay: there isn't too much 'gameplay', but it runs smoothly.”
    • “Runs like crud, stuttering and juddering on a modern machine.”
    • “Poorly optimized, but otherwise a great point-and-click adventure game, with a powerful post-apocalyptic atmosphere and nice story.”
    • “I missed a little about action; the game is all about reading and listening, and there is not much visual performance from the main character.”
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6h Median play time
7h Average play time
6-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Primordia is a arcade role playing game with science fiction theme.

Primordia is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Primordia.

Primordia was released on December 5, 2012.

Primordia was developed by Wormwood Studios.

Primordia has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Primordia is a single player game.

Similar games include Technobabylon, Kathy Rain, Gemini Rue, Shardlight, The Longest Journey and others.