Primordia

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,258 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Primordia Game Cover
A striking and unique adventure with an annoying sidekick.
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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.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,258 reviews
story950 positive mentions
grinding16 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with deep themes and well-developed characters.
  • Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the experience.
  • Challenging but logical puzzles with multiple solutions and endings.
  • Some puzzles can be obscure and require external hints or guides.
  • Low resolution graphics can make it difficult to spot interactive elements.
  • The game may feel short, leaving players wanting more content.
  • story1,609 mentions

    The story of *Primordia* is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and intricate world-building, set in a post-apocalyptic universe where robots navigate the remnants of humanity. Players appreciate the well-crafted narrative that unfolds through clever dialogue and philosophical themes, often drawing comparisons to classic point-and-click adventures. While some find the puzzles challenging, the overall consensus is that the story's richness and multiple endings significantly enhance the gaming experience, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “The story is very well written and it really drives you to learn as much about the world and explore the secrets of the past.”
    • “Primordia is a fantastic story-driven game with compelling characters guided by a moving story.”
    • “The story is engaging and compelling, with a rich backstory that ties into the plot nicely.”
    • “The story was okay, but somewhat uninspired; the game offers a lot of different endings that you mostly decide at the very end.”
    • “If you've experienced any type of sci-fi at all, you already have figured out the entire backstory of the game within the first five minutes.”
    • “The story needs to be longer and the ending needs to be more exciting.”
  • graphics559 mentions

    The graphics of "Primordia" are characterized by a distinctive pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for classic point-and-click adventure games. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and thematic fit of the low-resolution visuals, others find them challenging due to their pixelated nature and muted color palette, which can make it difficult to identify interactive elements. Overall, the artwork is praised for its beauty and ability to convey the game's post-apocalyptic setting, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of the graphics in enhancing the gameplay experience.

    • “I loved the art style and design for the robots, the grittiness of the world just barely getting by on the skin of its teeth.”
    • “The graphics really fit the atmosphere of the game and the music is subtle, but really good.”
    • “The artwork and story are amazing.”
    • “The graphics are the crudest among the rest of Wadjet's games; the gameplay is too simple and the puzzles too.”
    • “The one thing I didn't care for was that the graphics are somewhat rough, as though they were made for a tiny screen, which made the game feel much older than it actually is.”
    • “The graphics are old-school and pixelated, but serve their purpose without fault and are charming in their own way.”
  • music314 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience and complementing the game's art style and narrative. Many reviewers praised the soundtrack as haunting and beautiful, with some tracks being particularly memorable, while others noted that the music blends seamlessly into the background, creating a fitting ambiance for the game's dystopian setting. However, a few critiques mentioned that certain tracks can feel repetitive or simplistic, but overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's emotional depth and engagement.

    • “The music and graphic style are awesome and fit the dystopian atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is very immersive and atmospheric.”
    • “The music, the atmosphere, the characters, the story, everything.”
    • “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 second song that plays through the phonograph on the unniic could be better.”
    • “The setting, the music, the art style, and the writing are all good, but the sameness of the aesthetic does get a bit monotonous by the end of the game.”
  • atmosphere310 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, combining stunning pixel art, a haunting soundtrack, and strong voice acting to create a captivating post-apocalyptic world. Reviewers highlight the effective world-building and emotional depth, noting that the atmosphere enhances the storytelling and puzzle-solving experience. While some mention minor issues with gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a standout feature that draws players in and keeps them engaged.

    • “Incredible atmosphere and beautiful art; this game is a work of art.”
    • “The atmosphere and style alone are spectacular, and I am glad that for a point-and-click style game, the puzzles aren't just solved by clicking randomly, but actually make sure you pay attention to what characters say and make you think.”
    • “The atmosphere, characters, and the soundtrack; everything works so well together and creates a stirring story within a melancholic, decaying, yet somehow fascinating world.”
    • “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.”
    • “I couldn't immerse myself into the atmosphere and the whole world design was 'too human'.”
  • gameplay204 mentions

    The gameplay of *Primordia* is characterized as a classic point-and-click adventure, featuring intuitive mechanics and logical puzzles that enhance the immersive storytelling experience. While some players found the puzzles occasionally obscure or requiring external guides, the overall user-friendly design and engaging narrative compensate for these shortcomings, making it accessible to both genre veterans and newcomers. The game successfully blends its retro aesthetic with a compelling post-apocalyptic setting, though some critiques highlight a need for more polish in user experience and mechanics.

    • “This is great because the developers respect your time and don't force you to play this game over and over again to see all endings thanks to free saving and loading mechanics.”
    • “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 is very user-friendly; like any typical point & click adventure game, Primordia is controlled entirely with the mouse, making it easy for anyone to play.”
    • “The UI was fiddly, and some of the game's mechanics were very obscure.”
    • “I shouldn't have to look up a guide for the first hour of gameplay.”
    • “But when it comes to the later half (reaching Metropol), it becomes a completely different game: the storytelling becomes information dumping and most of it unrelated to the current gameplay, the puzzles are illogical and awful.”
  • humor198 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, often delivered through witty dialogue and the engaging banter between the main character, Horatio, and his sidekick, Crispin. Players appreciate the balance of humor with the game's darker themes, noting that the comedic elements enhance the overall experience without undermining the narrative's depth. While some found the humor hit-or-miss, many agree that it effectively lightens the melancholic atmosphere, making for a memorable and enjoyable adventure.

    • “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!”
    • “The main character Horatio and his hilarious and cheeky sidekick Crispin are so engaging and really capture your heart.”
    • “The humor hits, the emotions score, and the story captures you into a believable post-apocalyptic world.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability45 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the presence of multiple endings and alternative puzzle solutions that encourage revisiting the game. However, some reviewers feel that the overall replay value is limited, often citing the game's short length and the feeling that replaying it can be a chore. Despite these criticisms, several players find enough depth and variety in the gameplay to warrant multiple playthroughs, particularly for those interested in exploring different outcomes and achievements.

    • “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 worthy for me.”
    • “I think point-and-click adventure games are never replayable, no matter how hard they try, and this is no exception.”
    • “It has a very interesting story that you learn and discover as you play through the game, but it is a very short game, and probably not a lot of replay value.”
  • emotional43 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players reporting moments of genuine connection and even tears, particularly during the impactful ending. The character development, especially between Horatio and Crispin, fosters empathy and warmth, making their journey resonate deeply with players. While some found the emotional engagement lacking in certain areas, the overall sentiment highlights a well-crafted narrative that balances humor and heartfelt moments, leaving a lasting impression.

    • “The fact that Horatio and Crispin care so deeply and genuinely for each other, not despite their differences but rather thanks to them, is really heartwarming.”
    • “This whole game can make you emotional, but that ending, god, it got me so much, I still can't get over it.”
    • “While short, taking me only 6-8 hours to play start to finish, this game sucked me in and got me emotionally involved in the characters more than any other game I've played in recent memory.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate that while some players find certain aspects of grinding in the game tedious—particularly in puzzles and dialogue—many appreciate the streamlined interface and engaging story that mitigate these frustrations. The game successfully balances challenge and enjoyment, with some players noting that the puzzles are not overly tedious and contribute positively to the experience. However, a few players still felt that certain elements, like item searching and multiple playthroughs for achievements, could become monotonous.

    • “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 are reminiscent of designs from 20 years ago, and not in a good sense.”
  • character development15 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its superb voice acting and well-thought-out designs, contributing to a strong narrative experience. While the main characters are well-developed and engaging, some players feel that side characters lack depth due to limited interaction. Overall, the game successfully combines atmosphere, story, and character dynamics, though some critiques mention missed opportunities for deeper emotional connections.

    • “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.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    The game features stunning art direction, compelling writing, and excellent voice performances, creating an engaging experience. However, it suffers from significant optimization issues, with reports of stuttering and poor performance on modern machines, despite the smooth interface and overall solid gameplay. While the narrative and atmosphere are praised, the technical execution detracts from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The story and worldbuilding are outstanding, the actors deliver universally solid performances, and the atmosphere is wonderfully crafted.”
    • “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 powerful post-apocalyptic atmosphere and nice story.”
    • “I missed a little about action; the game is all about reading and listening, there is not much visual performance from the main character.”
  • stability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with users reporting minimal glitches and bugs that do not significantly hinder gameplay. While some players experienced minor graphical issues and occasional freezing, these problems are often considered manageable and do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Additionally, the game runs well on Linux with Proton, further enhancing its accessibility.

    • “As an added bonus, it runs great on Linux with Proton out of the box.”
    • “A lot of achievements are buggy as usual with Wankojet games.”
    • “Be prepared to spend lots of time examining environments and troubleshooting problems.”
    • “Good story so far, but buggy. If you happen to see an item in your inventory glitched, try to restore an old saved state, because it's going to crash on you on some random event after that.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
6-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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