Semispheres
- February 14, 2017
- Vivid Helix
Semispheres is a smart, relaxing, and challenging puzzler that brings fresh ideas to the genre.
Get on SteamSemispheres is a single-player stealth puzzle game with a unique twist: it uses a split-screen mechanic to put you in control of two characters simultaneously. The goal is to solve increasingly complex puzzles by reuniting the parallel worlds of Semispheres, using abilities like portals, side-swapping, and teleporting to evade sentries. With over 50 levels, an immersive ambient soundtrack, and a focus on brain-teasing challenges, Semispheres offers a meditative and engaging experience.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Playstation Vita
Xbox
Reviews
- Unique and clever puzzle mechanics that require simultaneous control of two characters, providing a satisfying challenge.
- Beautiful presentation with a calming soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Well-designed levels that gradually introduce new mechanics, making for a thoughtful and engaging gameplay experience.
- The game is relatively short, with many puzzles being straightforward and lacking depth, leading to a quick completion time.
- Limited narrative and story elements that feel disconnected from the gameplay, leaving players wanting more context.
- Some players may find the control scheme challenging, especially when using a keyboard instead of a controller, which can affect the overall enjoyment.
- gameplay19 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique split-screen mechanic that allows players to control two characters simultaneously, creating engaging and clever puzzles. While the game features a variety of interesting mechanics and a well-paced learning curve, many players found the overall difficulty to be lower than expected, with some late-game puzzles feeling repetitive. Despite these critiques, the game is praised for its beautiful design and heartwarming story, making it a worthwhile experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
“A short, but beautiful puzzle game with a unique split-screen mechanic and a touching, heartwarming story.”
“The main gameplay of controlling two characters at once is something I haven't seen before, and it works great.”
“I found it to be very well paced, with the new mechanics building nicely level over level.”
“But, outside of the actual idea for the main mechanic, nothing stood out as particularly stellar.”
“Most of the late-game puzzles revolve around a point-to-point teleporter mechanic, and tools that allow you to move one side of the teleporter.”
“There are five basic game mechanics that you can use to manipulate the surroundings.”
- story9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and not deeply engaging, with some players appreciating its heartwarming elements and moral lessons, while others find it disconnected from the gameplay. Despite the lack of a substantial narrative, a charming comic-book style presentation unfolds as players progress, adding a touch of sweetness to the experience. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the puzzle mechanics rather than a central focus.
“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.”
“A short, but beautiful puzzle game with a unique split-screen mechanic and a touching, heartwarming story.”
“[Soothing soundtrack, fun and thought-provoking puzzles, a very sweet short story].”
“There's supposed to be a story.”
“There's no real story, but there is a cute little comic book that's revealed page by page as you progress.”
“The puzzle design is weak and the story just isn't pulling me in.”
- music9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and atmospheric qualities, with many users highlighting its minimalist and ambient nature as a perfect complement to the gameplay. The soundtrack is described as soothing and meditative, enhancing the overall experience and making it a relaxing backdrop for the clever puzzles and engaging story.
“I came primarily for Siddhartha Barnhoorn's awesome ambient music, but the rest of the game is good as well.”
“The soundtrack is perfect.”
“This is an excellent puzzler with a very enjoyable meditative soundtrack; the music and atmosphere remind me particularly of Osmos.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a minimalist design complemented by a meditative soundtrack, creating a relaxing and immersive experience. Players appreciate the clever puzzles that enhance the overall ambiance, reminiscent of titles like Osmos.
“It's a relatively minimalist puzzle/stealth/atmospheric game.”
“This is an excellent puzzler with a very enjoyable meditative soundtrack; the music and atmosphere remind me particularly of Osmos.”
“Atmospheric and relaxing music, clever concept, and puzzles.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of Semispheres are described as beautifully designed with a pleasing aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. While the visuals are simple, they effectively complement the game's clever level designs and engaging puzzles, contributing to a satisfying gameplay atmosphere.
“Overall then, Semispheres is a wonderful puzzle game with some incredibly clever level designs that will leave you stumped at times, a tricky but enjoyable twin-stick system, and a beautifully designed world with pleasing visuals and sound.”
“This game is a bit above adequate in most respects: nice graphics, nice sound, nice puzzles.”
“Semispheres is a short but sweet title with a simple aesthetic that belies a surprisingly complex set of puzzles.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a touching and heartwarming story that enhances the experience of its unique split-screen puzzle mechanics.
“A short, but beautiful puzzle game with a unique split-screen mechanic and a touching, heartwarming story.”
Critic Reviews
Semispheres Review
What Semispheres lacks in quantity it more than makes up for it with quality. It's entirely possible to get through every puzzle in just a few short hours, but a reasonably high skill threshold and thought-provoking design ensure the experience remains memorable from start to finish. By having each Joy-Con correspond with each sphere, multiplayer is incredibly natural and comfortable. For that alone, the Switch port comes off as the definitive version. With a truly meditative ambience and stellar puzzle design, Semispheres can be enjoyed in blissful solitude just as much as in the company of a good friend.
80%Semispheres (Switch) Review
Just sit back, relax, and take a hit off this chill puzzle game, man.
75%Semispheres Review
There are plenty of puzzlers out there, but there’s just something special about the way this implements such a peaceful, meditative stance.
80%
