PUSH
- October 18, 2017
- Maciej Targoni
- 2h median play time
"Push" is a single-player kids' musical game from the creators of "Klocki", "Zenge", "Hook", and "Art of Gravity". Designed as a relaxing experience, the game challenges players to push all the buttons with innovative game mechanics and delightful graphics. The game features stunning music and no points, stars, tutorials, or move counters, as the goal is simply to solve the puzzle.
Reviews
- PUSH is a creatively simplistic and enjoyable puzzle game that allows players to figure out mechanics intuitively without instructions.
- The game features a clean and polished visual aesthetic, with satisfying sound effects that enhance the overall experience.
- With 67 levels that gradually increase in complexity, PUSH offers a relaxing yet engaging challenge that is perfect for casual gaming sessions.
- Some mechanics can feel tedious and lead to trial-and-error gameplay, particularly in the later levels where the logic may not be clear.
- The audio can become glitchy or distorted after prolonged play, detracting from the immersive experience.
- The game lacks a level select feature and can feel short, with some players wishing for more challenging content or a final gauntlet of puzzles.
- gameplay110 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its creatively simplistic mechanics that gradually introduce new challenges, allowing players to learn through trial and error without explicit instructions. While the intuitive design and variety of mechanics keep the experience engaging, some players find certain mechanics tedious or poorly explained, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a satisfying balance of exploration and puzzle-solving, though it may not reach the complexity some players desire.
“The mechanics of the game are intuitive, and each time a new mechanic is introduced, it is done in a clear and understandable manner, or through a purposeful challenge of reflection.”
“The game does a great job of allowing you to figure out the puzzles, and introduces enough mechanics that each level feels fresh and is satisfying to complete.”
“What I like about it is that it is entirely driven by visual learning; there is no text explaining mechanics, new mechanics are introduced in simple puzzles and then it builds from there, eventually resulting in quite complex combinations of multiple mechanics.”
“So in all honesty, restarting an entire level because you don't understand a mechanic that isn't explained is really annoying.”
“Gameplay is tedious, so it's not as fun as other games by Hamster on Coke such as Scalak.”
“If I have one complaint about the game, it is that they introduce a lot of mechanics that are swiftly dropped and never used again, which is kind of disappointing.”
- music34 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its relaxing and atmospheric qualities that complement the gameplay. However, some users report issues with audio distortion and repetitive tracks that can become annoying over time. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally seen as a positive aspect, technical problems and a lack of variety detract from the experience for some players.
“The music is great, the simple graphics help you concentrate, and the evolving mechanics of the game will make you work.”
“Fun play, nice visuals, and a relaxing soundtrack!”
“The gameplay and visuals are aesthetically pleasing yet very minimalistic, and the music is very mellow.”
“The music and sounds got annoying after a short while, so I muted the game and listened to my own music instead.”
“The music, on the other hand, is comprised of a single, droning atmospheric track that I turned off halfway through the game, and an equally droning 'level complete' jingle that is more grating than rewarding to hear.”
“There is some background music in this, but it occasionally becomes distorted and crackly, which is not very pleasant.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their clean, minimalist aesthetic that complements the puzzle mechanics, providing a pleasant visual experience without being overly complex. While some reviewers note that the visuals are not groundbreaking, they effectively enhance the gameplay and contribute to a relaxing atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are considered good, fitting well within the game's design philosophy and enhancing player satisfaction.
“The graphics are perfect for these kinds of puzzles; the whole game is awesome.”
“Excellent puzzle game with clean and smooth visuals, very intuitive rules/interface that require no explanation other than what you see, and a very nice soundtrack that gives out a slightly ominous feeling (while still being quite relaxing) that goes very well with the button-pushing theme.”
“Elegant minimalist graphics, ambient score halfway between portentous and dreamy, intuitive interface, and that little splash of dopamine every time you figure out one of the increasingly tricky puzzles.”
“The music is agreeable, graphics are simple, if not minimalistic.”
“Aesthetically, the game has a modern, minimalist look to it that is pleasant on the eyes, but not exactly remarkable in any way.”
“His visuals, on the other hand, are ok but nothing exciting.”
- grinding17 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later levels where the complexity of button sequences and mechanics leads to frustration rather than challenge. While some initial enjoyment is noted, the gameplay quickly becomes monotonous, with many reviewers expressing boredom and a lack of fun compared to other titles from the same developer.
“The puzzles aren't hard, but a mis-click and you get an annoying buzz and you need to do a long tedious sequence all over again.”
“Gameplay is tedious, so it's not as fun as other games by Hamster on Coke such as Scalak.”
“I got bored after a couple of minutes, and based on the screenshots and trailer videos, it only seems to get more and more tedious as new mechanics are added.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as mildly atmospheric, with a focus on clever puzzle design rather than immersive soundscapes, as the music is repetitive and can become grating. While it may not stand out compared to other atmospheric puzzle games like Zenge or Klocki, it offers enjoyable visuals and a decent atmosphere for its low price.
“Maybe shorter too, but for its price it's an enjoyable piece of work with great visuals and atmosphere.”
“It's mildly atmospheric but really clever and 100% well worth the dollar I paid for it.”
“Same atmosphere as Klocki.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by persistent audio glitches that users report as a significant issue, suggesting they are unlikely to be resolved. While some players have not encountered major bugs, the overall experience is hindered by these sound problems, affecting the game's presentation.
“Overall, a cheap puzzle game with buggy audio and some hard-to-understand mechanics.”
“There's a known issue where the sound glitches out that let's face it, is never getting fixed if it hasn't by now.”
“I would even call the presentation 'perfect', were it not for regular audio glitches.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is not centered on a traditional narrative of a hero's quest, but rather emphasizes background storytelling and thematic elements that enhance the gameplay experience. While some games like Zenge offer stylistic storytelling, others prioritize puzzle enjoyment, suggesting a varied approach to narrative across different titles. Overall, the reviews highlight a preference for games that engage players through implicit storytelling rather than explicit narratives.
“I mean, Zenge had a certain stylistic edge, considering the background storytelling (which was amazing, by the way).”
“This is where you can see the same sense of show-not-tell that Klocki was so good at.”
“The story isn't of a lone stable boy who breaks the chains to look for his lost love.”
“If you feel a lack of story or tutorial, just imagine some unseen entity gave you an object and you are supposed to solve the sequence, or your existence and loved ones are not worthy and a game over scenario might occur.”
“The narrative fails to engage, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited in the short term due to players' familiarity with the puzzles, though it may improve over a longer period. Users suggest that new levels could enhance replay value, and the low price point makes it a fair purchase, especially during sales.
“I assume replay value is better in the long term though.”
“I don't think there's much replay value before I really forget how things worked or, of course, if we get some new levels.”
“After that, replayability is rather limited in the short term, as you will likely still remember many of the puzzles.”
“I'm not confident about the replayability, but the (very low) price still seems fair, especially on sale or as part of the relaxing puzzle bundle.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and surprising ideas that can elicit genuine laughter, particularly for fans of Maciej Targoni's previous works. While the gameplay may lean towards being easy and somewhat reliant on clicking, it offers moments of creativity and lightheartedness that provide a relaxing experience.
“If you know Maciej Targoni's games (Hook, Klocki), then you know he's got clever and surprising ideas, and puzzles that sometimes have you laughing out loud.”
“Full of creativity, enough funny for minutes of relaxation.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features a monetization model that includes advertisements after each level, which some users feel is more suitable for a tablet experience.
“The game feels more like a cash grab than a genuine experience, with constant prompts to spend money.”
“I can't enjoy the gameplay because I'm bombarded with ads and in-game purchases at every turn.”
“It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, making it frustrating to progress without spending real money.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its intuitive interaction and is specifically optimized for touchscreen devices, enhancing the overall user experience.
“+ Intuitive interaction, touchscreen optimized”