Sephonie

Starting at $2.83Buy now

"Sephonie" is a 3D adventure game where you parkour through an uninhabited island's cave network as three biologists. Use acrobatic moves, grapple with creatures, and solve puzzles via the "Puzzle Grid" system to research unknown creatures. Experience a unique spiritual landscape with lush caverns, subterranean oceans, and surreal cityscapes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 173 reviews

story40 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

Sephonie features a beautifully crafted world with unique environments and a captivating narrative that explores deep themes of connection and identity.
The platforming mechanics are innovative and rewarding, encouraging exploration and creativity in movement, while the puzzle elements provide a satisfying break from the action.
The game's soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the emotional depth of the story and creating a relaxing atmosphere that complements the gameplay.

The platforming controls can feel clunky and imprecise at times, leading to frustration during more challenging sections of the game.
Some players may find the dialogue-heavy storytelling to be overwhelming or tedious, with lengthy monologues that can disrupt the pacing.
The puzzles, while enjoyable, are often too easy and may lack the challenge that some players expect from a game in this genre.

story
106 mentions
38 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Sephonie" is characterized by its introspective and abstract narrative, exploring themes of alienation, identity, and connection through the experiences of three scientists on a mysterious island. While some players found the storytelling to be less cohesive compared to previous titles from Analgesic Productions, many appreciated its emotional depth and the way it intertwines with the gameplay, creating a unique and immersive experience. Overall, the narrative is praised for its thought-provoking elements and beautiful presentation, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its unconventional structure.
- “The story, setting, platforming, and music are all wonderful.”
- “The aesthetics, gameplay, story, I can't think of a single part of this game I have any kind of problem with.”
- “The story is very effective and bittersweet, exactly the same sort of contemplative and moving writing that led me to love Anodyne 2 so much.”
- “The story feels a bit haphazard (seeing as it was directly inspired by their experiences with the COVID pandemic) and I didn't connect with it as much as their other games.”
- “A lot of what a player will be reading are essentially the three characters' 'shower time thoughts.' In isolation, they are mostly interesting stories, but I think as a whole they too often lack a serious connection with the focus of the story.”
- “The game barely scrapes the iceberg on the concept and throws it aside for an ending where the data is just a plot device to resolve a story that could have ended 15 minutes prior with no effective difference.”
gameplay
80 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Sephonie" is characterized by its unique and creative 3D platforming mechanics, which may initially feel awkward but become enjoyable as players master them. The game combines platforming with puzzle elements, offering a variety of challenges that gradually increase in complexity, while its retro-inspired aesthetics and exploration encourage a sense of discovery. Although some players may find the controls finicky and certain puzzles too easy, the overall experience is engaging and rewarding, appealing to both casual gamers and completionists alike.
- “Great atmosphere and the gameplay gets really creative.”
- “The platforming mechanics are unique and fun to learn.”
- “The gameplay is interesting enough, but your enjoyment of Sephonie is going to be largely dependent on how much you connect to its characters' stories.”
- “Though it tries not to, Sephonie will undoubtedly alienate casual players with its low-resolution assets, strange parkour mechanics, bizarre block puzzle minigame, obtuse level design, and general sentimental quirkiness.”
- “This is a baffling combination of awkward woolly platforming that will frustrate you over and over as you miss getting up and onto a platform by mere pixels again and again, a frankly seemingly unfinished puzzle game mechanic which I found essentially impossible to lose and just a load of seemingly random stuff for the story and an insane 'oh no we lost, oh hang on we randomly won' ending.”
- “Primarily a 3D platformer inspired by the PSX/PS2 era, Sephonie deliberately includes a bit of those generations' clunky controls that imparts a weightiness and cautiousness that are a far cry from today's refined mechanics, which may be off-putting to the impatient.”
music
75 mentions
55 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its dreamy, atmospheric quality that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers describe the soundtrack as both relaxing and emotionally resonant, with many noting its ability to evoke nostalgia and complement the game's visuals and narrative. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, with some calling it the best soundtrack from the developers yet.
- “Lovely dreamy music to carry you away.”
- “It's got a nice chill soundtrack that perfectly suits the thoughtful exploration the game promotes.”
- “The music is phenomenal; it is a vibe.”
- “I hate being so negative, but another thing I found disappointing was the OST wasn't really as impressive as in previous games.”
- “Like the graphics, the music feels extremely fitting for something you would find in a PS1 game; it feels nostalgic even though this game just came out, and I think that's really impressive!”
- “It was a soundtrack I had to go back and realize which songs were best, but with this one, every track is well planned and fits the atmosphere of each level perfectly.”
graphics
37 mentions
38 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique retro aesthetic, reminiscent of early 3D gaming eras like the PS1 and GameCube, featuring low-poly models and a soft color palette that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the beautiful art style and engaging visuals that complement the gameplay and story, creating a dreamy, surreal atmosphere that captivates players. The combination of nostalgic visuals and modern gameplay mechanics results in a visually stunning and immersive experience that resonates deeply with fans of the genre.
- “The art style is gorgeous, the color palette and textures are very soft and really complement the low-poly 3D models that make up the environment very well.”
- “The graphics are as stunningly retro as Analgesic Production's last game, Anodyne 2, with the lovingly rendered PSX style of the graphics and the hauntingly nostalgic sounds.”
- “I love how the graphics are surreal and futuristic; it makes the game feel so dreamy!”
- “The visuals are primitive, but they capture the inviting visual simplicity and clarity of the 5th and 6th generation, before post-processing and overblown lighting made modern games require effort to simply look at them.”
- “The 3D graphics are simple and old-school, but beautiful at the same time - I often found myself stopping in the middle of puzzles just to take in the scenery around me and enjoy the soundtrack.”
- “Their visual art styles point back to older game systems like Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Dreamcast, etc., while the gameplay itself is refreshingly modern.”
emotional
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its beautiful environments, heartfelt storytelling, and captivating music, which together create a deeply resonant experience. Players appreciate the thoughtful exploration of themes like adaptation, identity, and emotional connection, though some feel less connected to characters compared to previous titles. Overall, the game is praised for its unique emotional depth and the ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a memorable journey for many.
- “The environments are wonderful and really sell the setting (along with the music, which is fantastic), and the plot is heartfelt, thoughtful, and has some cool ideas.”
- “Side characters in Anodyne 2 had mental hang-ups, skeletons in their closet, coping habits, emotional scars, hopes and dreams.”
- “It's a clear passion project that is extremely emotionally candid and has some wonderfully unique, ambitious gameplay.”
atmosphere
13 mentions
62 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its creativity, relaxation, and immersive world-building, enhanced by a well-crafted soundtrack that complements each level. Reviewers highlight the unique and bizarre characters, alongside a haunting yet comfortable vibe that invites exploration. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as unmatched, evoking feelings of nostalgia and comfort while providing a rich, engaging experience.
- “The music, atmosphere, and story are what I really came for, and Analgesic Productions continues to deliver.”
- “The atmosphere is unmatched, and as always, I'm in love with the characters and unique setting that Marina and Melos use to tell a story that I think anyone can relate to, in some way.”
- “Analgesic always do killer jobs when it comes to creating atmospheres that feel strange, wonderful, and just plain fun to explore.”
- “While the atmosphere is generally relaxing, the platforming can become quite challenging.”
- “It possesses environments with a haunting atmosphere, like if the first Jak & Daxter game grew up by 20 years, attained a respectable career as a biologist, and took MDMA.”
- “This is the kind of game that makes me feel sleepy, not because it's boring, but because its vibe and atmosphere is so...comfortable.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in Sephonie is described as a blend of thoughtful and character-driven dialogue, reminiscent of its predecessor, Anodyne 2, while also maintaining a unique and ambitious tone. Some users note a shift towards a more serious atmosphere, but overall, the game is appreciated for its clever and engaging humor.
- “Sephonie carries much of the same style and humor as Analgesic's previous work, Anodyne 2: Return to Dust, but mechanically and story-wise is its own deeply unique and ambitious game.”
- “The funny part is that this review was never part of my plan, but I just couldn't help myself.”
- “Funny, thoughtful, carefully and delicately played out.”
character development
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a significant strength, with reviewers noting its depth and emotional resonance, reminiscent of classic cinematic platformers. The integration of a touching story and global themes enhances the overall experience, making the characters feel more relatable and impactful within the beautifully designed environments. Overall, the character development contributes to an unforgettable adventure that elevates the gameplay.
- “Fun platforming with an interesting moveset, great visuals, environments and character designs, gorgeous music, a touching and timely story, and a fun puzzle system.”
- “Character design has also taken a step back.”
- “Cinematic platformers like Another World and Flashback finally make their 2D to 3D jump in spectacular form with Sephonie, which dares to imagine if your favorite cult-classic PS2 platformer had actual pathos, global concerns, and character development.”
- “From the art direction to the character development, and even the gameplay, it's an incredibly special, unforgettable adventure.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, "Sephonie" exhibits some stability issues, with players occasionally encountering bugs. However, many users attribute these challenges to their own gameplay rather than technical flaws, suggesting that the game encourages experimentation and practice. Additionally, some secrets and rewards require exploiting glitches, which may affect the overall perception of stability.
- “Though in Sephonie it sometimes feels a bit buggy, most of the time I can blame myself and jump right back into practicing the tricky maneuvers they're trying to get me to do.”
- “Secrets and rewards are hidden in areas where you have to exploit glitches in order to get to.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find that while the postgame content doesn't completely diminish the enjoyment of the main game, it can still feel frustrating and tedious, leading to a sense of grinding.
- “The postgame doesn't nuke the enjoyment of the main game quite as hard as Anodyne's did for me, but at the very least it did make everything post-credits feel frustrating or tedious.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, citing numerous easter eggs that enhance the experience and provide additional challenges for those who return to play.
- “There are lots of easter eggs, which add to the replay value and provide an extra challenge.”
- “The game offers multiple endings, encouraging players to replay and explore different choices.”
- “Each playthrough feels unique due to the random events and character interactions.”
- “The game has lots of easter eggs, which add some replay value and extra challenge.”
- “Once you complete the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The lack of varied endings makes replaying the game feel pointless.”