RHEM IV: The Golden Fragments SE
- February 3, 2016
- Knut Mueller
- 57h median play time
Get on Steam"Rhem IV SE: The Golden Fragments" is a puzzle-adventure game set in a mysterious, complex world. You must discover a secret transport system and activate it by finding nine key fragments, while exploring tunnels, deciphering puzzles, and interacting with unusual vehicles and characters. The game boasts non-linear gameplay and a detailed, enigmatic environment.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a wide variety of challenging and clever puzzles that require logical thinking and patience to solve.
- It offers a rewarding sense of accomplishment upon solving puzzles, making it highly addictive for fans of the genre.
- The game's design encourages exploration and note-taking, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs and crashes, particularly on newer operating systems.
- There is excessive backtracking required, which can lead to frustration and slow down the gameplay experience.
- The lack of a strong storyline and dated graphics may deter some players who prefer more narrative-driven or visually modern games.
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story in Rhem is minimal, serving primarily as a loose framework to connect the game's puzzles, which some players find acceptable given the focus on gameplay. In contrast, Myst offers a richer narrative and better art, highlighting Rhem's weaker storyline and outdated graphics. Overall, while the lack of a compelling story in Rhem may deter some, many players appreciate the puzzle-solving experience more than the narrative itself.
“After a short cut-scene of your cart arriving in Rhem and a note from one of the few story characters, you're dumped into a puzzle experience that has almost no hand-holding and some very difficult puzzles.”
“Whereas Myst has a bit more of a story, better art overall (though I actually love the very mechanical nature of the Rhem art), Rhem has only the bare minimum of a story arc to tie the games together and relate to the mysterious land of Rhem.”
“Storyline is weak and mostly missing during the gameplay but, probably, that's for the good.”
“Rhem has only the bare minimum of a story arc to tie the games together, relating to the mysterious land of Rhem.”
“After a short cutscene of your cart arriving in Rhem and a note from one of the few story characters, you're dumped into a puzzle experience that has almost no hand-holding and some very difficult puzzles.”
“The storyline is weak and mostly missing during the gameplay, but probably that's for the good.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as dated, with low resolution and muted colors that reflect its abandoned setting. While some players appreciate the art style and find the visuals beautiful, others note the limited animation and similarities to the original Myst graphics from 1994. Overall, the graphics may not impress everyone, but many agree that they do not detract significantly from the overall gaming experience.
“The graphics are pretty good, in my opinion. I like the art style, and overall the aesthetics are very nice.”
“It has beautiful graphics and clever puzzles.”
“Controls are crisp, no bugs, artwork is great.”
“Low resolution outdated graphics, no soundtrack, sometimes devices need to be used repetitively many times which looks unnecessary and illogical at times, weak story, probably something more (had few unexpected crashes for example), but in general I didn't mind them because overall game experience is so great that nothing else matters.”
“The graphics are dated, the colors are muted (it is an abandoned, dilapidated complex) and there is limited animation.”
“The graphics are dated, the colors are muted (it is an abandoned, dilapidated complex) and there is limited animation.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Gameplay in Rhem is characterized by its mechanical art style and minimal story, which some players appreciate as it allows for a more focused puzzle-solving experience. The eerie music enhances the atmospheric quality of the gameplay, although the lack of a strong narrative may detract from the experience for those seeking a deeper storyline. In contrast, Myst offers a richer story and more polished visuals, appealing to players who value narrative alongside gameplay.
“The 'music' was suitably eerie and made for atmospheric gameplay.”
“Storyline is weak and mostly missing during the gameplay, but probably that's for the good.”
“Whereas Myst has a bit more of a story, better art overall, Rhem has only the bare minimum of a story arc to tie the games together, relating to the mysterious land of Rhem.”
“Rhem has only the bare minimum of a story arc to tie the games together, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.”
“The gameplay feels lacking due to the minimal story elements, making it less engaging compared to other titles.”
“While the atmosphere is enhanced by the eerie music, the gameplay itself does not offer much depth or variety.”
- music6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as suitably eerie, enhancing the atmospheric gameplay experience. While some players noted the absence of a varied soundtrack and compared it unfavorably to other titles like Myst, the overall positive game experience overshadowed these shortcomings.
“The 'music' was suitably eerie and made for atmospheric gameplay.”
“Low resolution outdated graphics, no soundtrack, sometimes devices need to be used repetitively many times which looks unnecessary and illogical at times, weak story, probably something more (had few unexpected crashes for example), but in general I didn't mind them because overall game experience is so great that nothing else matters.”
“Unlike Myst, not so dreamlike scenery, not so romantic music there.”
“Unlike Myst, not so dreamlike scenery, not so romantic music there.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its suitably eerie music, which contributes significantly to the overall immersive gameplay experience.
“The music was suitably eerie and made for atmospheric gameplay.”
