Qbik
- November 16, 2017
- Norbert Palacz
Qbik is a pixel-art puzzle game where players help a square character navigate through 63 levels of brainteasers, puzzles, and riddles to discover its origin story. The game also includes a Level Editor for players to create and share their own levels on Steam Workshop. Players must use their problem-solving skills to help Qbik dodge deadly traps and eat yellow blocks to progress through the caves.
Reviews
- Qbik features clever level design with increasing difficulty, providing a satisfying challenge for puzzle enthusiasts.
- The game includes a rewind mechanic that allows players to undo mistakes, encouraging experimentation and reducing frustration.
- It has a charming aesthetic and humorous character interactions, making the gameplay enjoyable and engaging.
- The sound design is often criticized, with some players finding the music dreary and unappealing.
- Some players feel that the game can become tedious after the initial levels, leading to a sense of chore rather than enjoyment.
- The introduction of new mechanics may be too slow for some, potentially leading to a lack of excitement as the game progresses.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by well-executed mechanics that start simply but gradually introduce complexity through new elements like moving platforms and teleporters, keeping the experience engaging. While the level design is clever and offers surprising challenges, some players found the pacing of new mechanics too slow and the music detracted from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game provides a charming and minimalistic puzzle experience, though it may feel repetitive for some.
“The gameplay, mechanics, and functionality are very well executed.”
“First, the mechanic is simple to understand - find a path to eat all yellow blocks - but it grows in complexity as new elements are added, like moving platforms and teleporters.”
“The various mechanics and blocks were simple, yet the puzzles still got surprisingly complex while remaining fair.”
“Maybe it is the dreary music... I just couldn't get further than 30 levels... that's even when they introduced a new mechanic... it just felt like a chore rather than an 'aha' moment.”
“There were only two things I didn't like - the music/sound effects, which somewhat grossed me out in a game I otherwise found quite charming, and some bugs with the pistons (a mid-game mechanic) combined with the rewind feature that forced me to restart a couple of levels a few times.”
“I think that Qbik eases the player into new gameplay elements a bit too slowly.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a cute and nostalgic pixel-art style that complements its whimsical theme and story. Players appreciate the high quality and polish of the visuals, which enhance the overall aesthetic and enjoyment of the puzzle gameplay.
“The art style is cute and funny, and there's even a plot behind everything.”
“A fun little puzzle game with great graphics and lovely sound effects.”
“It has friendly to eye pixel-art graphics that fit very well with the game theme.”
“Cute, basic little puzzler with a nonsensical story and very old-school graphics.”
“This game has simple but high-quality graphics - I love it because it's kind of nostalgic to me.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its cute and humorous art style, complemented by a well-crafted plot and amusing dialogue from the character Qbik. Players enjoy the funny signboards and random thoughts that add to the overall charm, making it an engaging and entertaining experience alongside its well-designed puzzles.
“The art style is cute and funny, and there's even a plot behind everything.”
“A great game with a nice sense of humor and most importantly really well designed puzzles.”
“We also get amusing random thoughts from Qbik while playing, and funny signboards can be found on some levels.”
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's story emphasizes resilience and the unpredictability of life, featuring a charming and humorous art style that complements its simple mechanics. While the narrative is described as nonsensical and basic, it effectively unfolds across seven chapters, showcasing an evolution from 1D to 3D environments and providing a lighthearted backdrop for the gameplay. Overall, the story adds a whimsical layer to the experience, enhancing the appeal of the puzzler.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Even though the concept and mechanics in the game are very simple, the authors took care to set the game in a rich environment, create a hero who is not bland, and weave in a little story.”
“There are 7 chapters in all, and I liked the little evolution story of the game world from 1D to 3D that is told between each chapter.”
“The story is nonsensical and fails to engage the player, making it feel like an afterthought.”
“The narrative lacks depth and coherence, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations.”
“While the game has a cute aesthetic, the simplistic and shallow story detracts from the overall experience.”
- music4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it dreary and off-putting, which detracted from their overall enjoyment and engagement. While it may have moments of charm, many users felt that the soundtrack contributed to a sense of monotony, making gameplay feel more like a chore than an exciting experience.
“Maybe it is the dreary music... I just couldn't get further than 30 levels... that's even when they introduced a new mechanic... it just felt like a chore rather than an 'aha' moment.”
“There were only two things I didn't like - the music/sound effects, which somewhat grossed me out in a game I otherwise found quite charming, and some bugs with the pistons (a mid-game mechanic) combined with the rewind feature that forced me to restart a couple of levels a few times.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, particularly after the initial levels, leading to a sense of misery as they progress.
“Pretty tedious and miserable past the first few levels.”
“The grinding feels endless and becomes a chore rather than fun.”
“It takes too long to level up, making the experience frustrating.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as very relaxing, making it ideal for players looking to unwind while enjoying a few levels.
“This creates a very relaxing atmosphere, perfect for playing a couple of levels in between other activities.”
“The ambiance is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game world and making every moment feel significant.”
“The atmospheric design is stunning, with every detail contributing to a sense of wonder and exploration.”
“The atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player.”
“The overall ambiance is forgettable, making it hard to stay invested in the game.”