Sym is a strange platforming puzzle game with heavy themes, a beautifully simplistic art style, and some keyboard snapping difficulty.
Get on Steam"Sym" is a puzzle-platformer game that explores social anxiety disorder, where you play as Josh, who exists as alter egos Caleb and Ammiel in contrasting worlds of light and darkness. Switch between realms to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and reach safety across 44 levels. Create and share new levels with the level editor, and connect doorways in the Shared World to interact with other players' levels.
Mac OS
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Windows
Reviews
- The game effectively explores themes of social anxiety through its unique art style and gameplay mechanics, creating a haunting atmosphere.
- The level design incorporates interesting puzzles and a dual-world mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay experience.
- The art and music are well-executed, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the game.
- Controls are clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially during platforming sections.
- The game is relatively short, with some levels feeling repetitive and lacking in variety.
- There is no controller support and minimal options for customization, which detracts from the overall quality of the experience.
- gameplay19 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique positive/negative space mechanic that ties into themes of social anxiety, offering an intriguing premise for a puzzle platformer. However, many players find the controls imprecise and the level design frustrating, detracting from the overall experience. While the game presents interesting concepts and mechanics, it struggles to deliver a consistently enjoyable gameplay experience.
“It's a platformer that combines puzzles and reaction gameplay, and it was interesting for me.”
“It's a bit of a fresh take on puzzle platformers, and the positive/negative space mechanic is smartly designed.”
“The ideas it touches with the way it presents its games in black and white and the way you escape from the world is really interesting, and even the mechanics in the gameplay itself play toward these themes.”
“What first attracted me to this game was the unique art style, and as I continued to play, I discovered its fascinating game mechanics. One drawback I found was its repeatedly frustrating stages.”
“Cool concept, but I find the art style and gameplay let this game down entirely - the platforming controls are far from tight and incredibly frustrating, which is really the one thing you should get right in this genre of game.”
“The gameplay is alright; there's a level of precision that the controls don't really help highlight, and while the switching between worlds can make for some interesting puzzle mechanics, it just doesn't have the grasp on gameplay to really succeed in that section.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and striking art style that evokes feelings of anxiety and depression, reminiscent of titles like Limbo. While many players appreciate the haunting visuals and original aesthetic, some criticize the lack of resolution and graphics controls, as well as the frustrating gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the art style is polarizing, with opinions varying widely based on personal preference.
“Aesthetically, the game has a very interesting style.”
“This game has a unique art style; its visuals are truly haunting.”
“There are no resolution or graphics controls whatsoever, nor even sound/music sliders.”
“Returning to the visuals, the art of Sym is striking; you will either love it or hate it depending on personal preference.”
“[*] Unique art style, this game’s visuals are truly haunting.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to complement the artwork and atmosphere, striking a balance between moody and eerie tones. However, some users note that it can become repetitive, and there are no options for adjusting sound settings. Overall, the soundtrack is considered good and fitting for the game's design.
“Great music, but it does become repetitive; the music suits both the art and game design.”
“The music in the game is done quite well, hitting a perfect balance between moody and downright eerie.”
“The music is pleasant and suits the atmosphere.”
“There are no resolution or graphics controls whatsoever, nor even sound/music sliders.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story in the game is often perceived as unclear and disconnected, with some players struggling to grasp its narrative due to minimal exposition and poorly integrated levels. Despite this, the game attempts to convey a unique experience of anxiety through its visuals and gameplay, suggesting a deeper thematic intention.
“However, what Sym tries to do is tell a unique story through its visuals and gameplay that symbolize the experience of anxiety.”
“I honestly wish I could tell you what the story was about, but I simply didn't have the chance to notice it.”
“Words in the background do not make a story.”
“Some levels just don't fit well with the plot, especially the garden ones with biblical quotes. I don't mind biblical quotes, but I haven't seen the connection to the game plot.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game's use of evocative phrases throughout the levels effectively immerses players in its atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is simply captivating!”
“The phrases written in the levels really immersed me in the atmosphere.”
“These phrases written in the levels were really able to put me in this atmosphere.”
Critic Reviews
Sym Review – Social Anxiety Explored
Sym is a middling platformer with a wonderfully delivered message
65%Sym (PC) Review
Sym's story is told in minimalist, surreal fashion, about a spindly figure desperate to escape the attentions of others.
80%Sym
Sym is a strange platforming puzzle game with heavy themes, a beautifully simplistic art style, and some keyboard snapping difficulty.
88%
