Sect-Machina

About

Sect-Machina is a single player casual action adventure game. It was developed by Skelecrew Games and was released on September 10, 2023. It received neutral reviews from players.

Mona, a young butterfly, is disguised in the hood of a moth’s design for her own protection. But from what, Mona does not yet know. There are many things about the world Mona has been purposefully kept from knowing. Holed up in her nestroom, she looks out of her window and gazes upon the distant, glittering, twinkling lights of an alluring place which lies near the heart of this unknown world of b…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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60%

Audience ScoreBased on 142 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

story10 negative mentions

The game features a vibrant art style and character design that many players found appealing.
As a student project, it shows potential with fun mechanics and a unique concept involving a cyberpunk bug world.
Despite its flaws, players enjoyed the short experience and found it entertaining for casual play.

The game lacks a tutorial and clear objectives, leaving players confused about controls and goals.
Combat and movement mechanics feel unpolished and janky, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.
The game is very short, with many players finishing it in under 30 minutes, and it feels incomplete overall.

story
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
61%
30%
The reviews indicate a significant dissatisfaction with the game's story, describing it as confusing, minimal, or entirely absent. Many players express a desire for a more developed narrative, with some noting that the only context comes from the store description rather than in-game content. Overall, the lack of a compelling story detracts from the gameplay experience, leaving players feeling unmotivated and disconnected from the game's world.
- “Super cute game, I really love the design and concept of a cyber dystopian world with a virus infecting certain bugs. I really wish the game was much longer and more in-depth with the story.”
- “It has great potential in its story.”
- “Yea, there's room for improvement like the combat system, and I feel like a storyline or lore would give more depth to the game.”
- “The description says there's a story, but I must have missed everything past 'some bugs are cannibals.'”
- “No storyline, no explanation, no motivation.”
- “Majority of the game's story is told in the store page's description; if I hadn't read that, I'd have no idea the player character was supposed to be wearing a disguise the whole time.”
gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
55%
17%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its potential but highlighting significant shortcomings such as a lack of direction, clunky mechanics, and repetitive combat. While the movement and platforming elements are generally enjoyable, the absence of clear instructions and engaging content detracts from the overall experience. Many reviewers appreciate the art direction and character design, but feel that the gameplay needs more depth and polish to be truly enjoyable.
- “Awesome visuals, needs more enemies, good gameplay.”
- “The platforming felt fun and not too challenging, and the dash mechanic worked very well.”
- “Even with all that, the game is by no means bad; the environment, characters, and animations look great, and the gameplay feels smooth and responsive.”
- “But then the game starts and immediately throws you into gameplay without explaining anything.”
- “The gameplay feels a little unfinished, and there is no direction or story.”
- “The gameplay is just not that fun.”
music
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
49%
10%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising it as outstanding and a highlight, while others find it repetitive and lacking variety. Many players appreciate the art style and the music's ability to convey different tones, but some express frustration over the absence of sound effects and the overall repetitiveness of the soundtrack. Overall, while the music has its moments of brilliance, it often fails to maintain engagement throughout the gameplay.
- “The art was beautiful, and the music was outstanding.”
- “I loved this little gem, its music was clearly the winner out of everything.”
- “Brilliant level art, layout, music.”
- “The music is ass.”
- “In most areas, the music is this extremely repetitive song that gets old real quick.”
- “The music is very, very repetitive and boring.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
31%
14%
Overall, the graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many praising the art direction, cute visuals, and appealing aesthetics. However, some reviewers noted inconsistencies in the art style and animation, suggesting that while the visuals are strong, they may have overshadowed other important aspects of the game. Despite these critiques, the graphics contribute positively to the overall experience, making it a standout feature for many players.
- “The graphics are good though, and I like the appeal.”
- “A very good platformer, the graphics are cool, the character is beautifully drawn.”
- “Awesome visuals, needs more enemies, good gameplay.”
- “I swear this game has the most inconsistent art style ever.”
- “Fourth and fifth are a bit more nitpicky, the art style wasn't cohesive (different size black outlines or none at all) and there was no story, or interactivity other than hitting people.”
- “Conclusion: it seems that the team decided to spend too much effort on graphics, rather than ensuring the overall package is satisfactory.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players appreciate the character design, particularly the main character's unique and appealing aesthetic, which some believe could serve as a game mascot. However, while the character's design is praised, the gameplay experience is marred by issues such as repetitive music, confusing visuals, and a lack of dynamic elements, leading to mixed feelings about the game's overall potential.
- “The character design of the player is so cool, I love being a little bug with a cape.”
- “Despite all of the problems, the idea, main character design, music, and the movement are great, and its essence and feel are quite good.”
- “The character design is very good; I really think this could be a game mascot.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is criticized for its buggy hitboxes and frequent glitches, leading to a janky experience. Players note a lack of sound effects beyond weapon swings, contributing to a repetitive atmosphere. While there is potential, the current state leaves much to be desired.
- “Hitboxes are buggy.”
- “Overall, a game about bugs is buggy; who would have thought?”
- “It's so janky that there are no sound effects for anything other than weapon swinging. Hearing the soundtrack again and again makes me go insane. The movement glitches from time to time. I see great potential in this game, but it isn't all that impressive. Good luck to the devs, though.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the frustration players feel with the challenging wall-jumping mechanics and unexpected character movements, such as the slow descent during screen transitions, which can evoke a sense of confusion and tension.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features charming humor through clever puns and jokes, exemplified by playful elements like an advertisement for a music device called an "isopod."
- “The little puns and jokes present throughout the game were a charming and humorous addition, such as an advert for a music device called an 'isopod'.”
- “The witty dialogue and clever references kept me laughing, making every interaction feel fresh and entertaining.”
- “I loved the quirky characters and their hilarious one-liners; they added so much personality and fun to the gameplay.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by humor that contributes to a more immersive and believable world, making the overall experience feel more authentic.
- “The ambient sounds and visuals create an immersive atmosphere that draws you into the game world.”
- “The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, making every moment feel significant.”
- “The rich details and environmental storytelling contribute to an incredibly engaging atmosphere.”