Spectrum Break

About

Spectrum Break is a single player platformer game. It was developed by Jason Hein and was released on July 4, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

Spectrum Break

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

gameplay3 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Spectrum Break offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience with its minimalist design and rhythmic physics-based mechanics, creating a meditative and satisfying flow.
The vibrant neon visuals and electronic soundtrack enhance the overall atmosphere, making each level feel like a captivating sensory experience.
The game encourages creativity and experimentation, allowing players to discover multiple solutions to puzzles while enjoying the challenge of mastering its mechanics.

As a mobile app port, Spectrum Break suffers from technical deficiencies and a lack of polish expected from PC games, leading to frustration for players accustomed to higher standards.
The controls can feel unresponsive and unpredictable, particularly in later levels, which can result in frustrating gameplay experiences when precision is required.
The game's minimalist art style may come off as lazy or low-effort to some players, detracting from the overall quality and appeal on a PC platform.

gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The gameplay in Spectrum Break is characterized by its elegant mechanics that encourage players to intuitively understand the world, rather than relying on an overload of tools. While the game is relatively short, it offers extended play through collectible hunting, and features colorful blocks and challenging levels set to an engaging soundtrack.
- “The mechanics of Spectrum Break are defined by their elegance.”
- “You aren’t overloaded with mechanics or tools—instead, you’re asked to develop a feel for how the world behaves.”
- “Colorful blocks, challenging gameplay, and a great concept of 'get all the boxes to move to beat the level' to a sick beat to boot?”
- “The game is a bit on the short side, but the gameplay is extended if you try to hunt down all of the collectibles.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in the game features an outstanding synthwave soundtrack that evokes nostalgia with its warm tones, reminiscent of iconic artists like Lazerhawk and Com Truise. The audio design enhances the experience, with crisp sound effects that blend into an improvised rhythm, making players feel like active participants in the game's musical composition. Overall, the chill, neon-inspired aesthetic complements the engaging soundtrack beautifully.
- “On par with some of the best 'retrofuture' music out there, the warm tones of synth are nostalgic enough to make your ears melt in the same way old 'Lazerhawk' or 'Com Truise' would.”
- “The audio design complements this perfectly; every collision and activation produces a crisp tone that fits seamlessly into the electronic soundtrack.”
- “Over time, these sounds blend into a kind of improvised music, making the player feel like an active participant in composing the game’s rhythm.”
- “I like the neon/80s-esque look; it's on a somewhat black background, but it's pleasing to the eyes and the music is chill.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
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The graphics are praised for their aesthetic minimalism, which feels intentional and vibrant, striking a balance between structure and spontaneity. However, some reviewers feel that the visuals may not meet the high standards expected by PC gamers, despite the game being described as visually beautiful overall.
- “The aesthetic minimalism never feels cold or sterile—it feels deliberate and alive, an embodiment of the balance between structure and spontaneity.”
- “Excellent puzzle platform game with beautiful visuals.”
- “Don't let the beautiful graphics fool you, though.”
- “Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Spectrum Break is criticized for its monetization strategy, as it is a free mobile app rebranded as a paid PC game on Steam, leading many to view it as a cash grab by developers. The game's minimalist platforming mechanics do not justify its price, further fueling dissatisfaction among players.
- “Spectrum Break is a free mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as a paid product, as if it were a real PC game (it's not). It's a cash grab from greedy mobile developers.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems designed solely to extract money from players rather than provide a fair gaming experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could have been enjoyable turned into a money-making scheme, with constant prompts to spend more for basic features.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game compelling, as interacting with elements like blocks evokes a sense of connection and fulfillment. This mechanic enhances the overall experience, making players feel more invested in the game's world and narrative.
- “Touching a block 'fills' it with emotion.”
- “The game's narrative deeply resonated with me, evoking a range of feelings.”
- “I felt a profound connection to the characters, making their struggles and triumphs incredibly impactful.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is a captivating blend of calming serenity and engaging challenge, enhanced by soothing bass tones and vibrant cosmic visuals. This minimalist yet immersive environment creates a retrofuture vibe that draws players in and keeps them captivated.
- “The game’s atmosphere feels both calming and alive, achieving a rare blend of challenge and serenity that keeps you drawn in despite its minimalist structure.”
- “Pleasing bass tones accompanied by shimmering electric atmospherics pulse and flow in rhythm with the explosion of cosmic colors in the sky behind you, creating a blissfully perfect retro-future atmosphere.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of the game is largely viewed as a failure, with even the developers showing a lack of interest in its narrative.
- “Hardly a success story; even the people who own this mobile app weren't interested in it.”