Pulse Codex EP
- July 20, 2023
- nonmateria
Decode the control glyph and challenge strange entities in a short audiovisual composition / videogame hybrid. Featuring: a blend of ink doodles, claymotion and shaders, rendered in crunchy 540p xenmodal microtuned music unusually obscure gameplay *15 pages of asemically written zine unlocked by various conditionsJukebox mode to enjoy watching the computer playing against itself2P Local Versus mo…
Reviews
- Immaculate aesthetics and hauntingly beautiful sound design create an evocative atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
- The gameplay loop is surprisingly addictive, encouraging multiple playthroughs with different characters and unlockable rewards.
- The game features a unique combat system that feels cathartic and engaging, especially in local multiplayer settings.
- The combat can be confusing at first, requiring time to understand the mechanics and combinations.
- Despite its charm, the game is relatively short, with limited replayability due to repetitive enemy challenges.
- Some players may find the gameplay becomes rote after mastering the challenges, reducing long-term engagement.
- graphics10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful aesthetics and unique art direction, which enhance the overall experience and draw players in. The haunting sound design complements the visuals, creating an evocative atmosphere that keeps players engaged, even if some gameplay elements may not be as enjoyable. Overall, the game's distinctive audiovisuals contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout title.
“Came for the cool looking visuals and sound design, stayed for the surprisingly addictive gameplay loop and evocative worldbuilding.”
“Even if the combat wasn't enjoyable, the beautiful aesthetics and art direction would probably make it worth the price anyway.”
“A beautiful aesthetic and overall vibe - I really like the creativity that makes this game feel unique.”
“The enemy challenges are the same every run, and the characters differ mainly in the audiovisuals.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a surprisingly addictive loop that keeps players engaged, complemented by beautiful visuals and sound design. Despite its small scale, the game offers a fun and immersive experience enhanced by its evocative worldbuilding.
“Came for the cool looking visuals and sound design, stayed for the surprisingly addictive gameplay loop and evocative worldbuilding.”
“It's a very small game with a fun gameplay loop and beautiful visuals and sounds.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly engaging, complementing its unique visuals and enhancing the overall experience with intriguing musical battles that keep players guessing. Many users found the soundtrack captivating enough to immerse them completely, leading to marathon play sessions.
“My curiosity was initially piqued by the peculiar visuals, and it has paid off with interesting musical fights that have me guessing all the time.”
“The music in the game was repetitive and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the soundtrack to be bland and forgettable, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
“The audio quality of the music was poor, and it felt like it didn't match the game's atmosphere at all.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While players can earn rewards like zine pages for completing multiple runs, the overall replayability of the game is limited.
“There's a reward for doing multiple runs (zine pages), but there's not a lot of replayability otherwise.”
“After completing the game once, I found little incentive to play through it again.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices that would encourage replayability.”