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Technobabylon

Technobabylon may not make you a new convert to the retro-style adventure, but as a fan, it's by far one of the best I've played.
Technobabylon Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, replayability
94% User Score Based on 1,284 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

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Technobabylon Game Cover

About

Technobabylon is a single player arcade role playing game with mystery, thriller and science fiction themes. It was developed by Technocrat Games and was released on May 21, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Technobabylon" is a point-and-click adventure game set in the futuristic city of Newton in 2087. The game follows CEL agents Charlie Regis and Max Lao as they investigate a serial Mindjacker who steals knowledge from citizens' neural wiring. Meanwhile, an agoraphobic net addict named Latha Sesame may become the next target, with Charlie's past putting him at odds with Max. The game features a rich sci-fi setting with genetic engineering, AI overseers, and overlapping online and offline worlds.

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94%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,284 reviews
story634 positive mentions
stability14 negative mentions

  • Engaging and well-written story with interesting characters and multiple plot twists.
  • Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the cyberpunk setting.
  • Logical puzzles that are challenging but not frustrating, with some having multiple solutions.
  • Some puzzles can be obscure, requiring pixel hunting or trial and error to solve.
  • The pacing can feel slow at times, with lengthy dialogue that may detract from the gameplay experience.
  • Technical issues such as mouse acceleration and limited resolution options can hinder the overall experience.
  • story
    1,123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Technobabylon* is widely praised for its compelling narrative set in a richly developed cyberpunk world, featuring three distinct protagonists whose paths intertwine in a gripping conspiracy. Reviewers highlight the well-written dialogue, strong character development, and the integration of thought-provoking themes related to technology and society, although some note that the plot can become convoluted and challenging to follow at times. Overall, the game is celebrated for its immersive storytelling, engaging twists, and the ability to evoke emotional responses, making it a standout title in the point-and-click genre.

    • “Set in a grimly plausible future where biotech, surveillance, and state-engineered social systems have blurred every boundary that once separated the personal from the political, the game weaves a story around three protagonists: Charlie Regis, a weary CEL detective haunted by his past; Max Lao, his more grounded and perceptive partner; and Latha Sesame, an agoraphobic 'trance' addict who spends more time in virtual escapism than in the failing world outside.”
    • “Technobabylon is a great blend of dystopian science fiction and detective story, with thought-provoking story and themes.”
    • “The story is engaging and tense from the first moment, with three distinct characters whose paths are cleverly intertwined in a gripping conspiracy.”
    • “The plot is mostly fine, characters are interesting and nuanced, but in the second half I felt the plot got too confusing and hard to follow, with a lot of twists.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story has huge plot holes.”
    • “The story starts strong but gets rather longwinded through the middle of the game, and the dialogue during the last major puzzle was incredibly clumsy, lacking any emotional consistency from one dialogue option to the next, at a time when two of the main characters really needed to establish their relationship.”
  • graphics
    274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Technobabylon are characterized by a detailed pixel art style that effectively captures the cyberpunk atmosphere, though opinions on their quality vary. While many players appreciate the nostalgic charm and artistic design, some criticize the visuals for being inconsistent and occasionally difficult to interpret, which can hinder gameplay. Overall, the graphics are seen as a fitting complement to the game's engaging story and immersive world, despite not meeting modern high-resolution standards.

    • “With a gripping story, breathtaking visuals, and a wonderful full voice cast, Technobabylon is certainly one of the best point & click adventures I've played.”
    • “The pixel art style might seem retro, but it's meticulously crafted to evoke a cyberpunk atmosphere.”
    • “The artwork is exceptional in its simplicity where a 2D world is made to feel like a 3D one, the music is a blend of styles all aimed at the chapter themes.”
    • “Graphics are really so bad that it just overshadows any positive aspect of this game.”
    • “The graphics are bad even for pixelated standards, but luckily it doesn’t affect the gameplay.”
    • “Admittedly, these graphics are just not good enough for me to enjoy the game.”
  • music
    182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality, effectively complementing the pixel art and enhancing the overall immersive experience. Reviewers noted the soundtrack's ability to evoke the game's cyberpunk setting, with many describing it as haunting, beautiful, and fitting for the narrative. While some found the music not particularly memorable outside of gameplay, it consistently contributed to the game's mood and ambiance, making it a standout feature alongside the visuals and voice acting.

    • “The pixel art is stunning, capturing the gritty dystopian atmosphere perfectly, and the music complements the mood beautifully.”
    • “The music helps a lot with the atmosphere and fits the game perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is well-composed and an integral part of the game's cyberpunk atmosphere.”
    • “The music is okay though nothing too catchy, but it serves its purpose.”
    • “The music also serves as a suitable complement to the game, but sadly is not memorable beyond those confines.”
    • “Sound is a weaker aspect, with the music being competent but not memorable, and the quality of voice acting dipping significantly for some side characters.”
  • gameplay
    170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Technobabylon is characterized as a standard point-and-click adventure, featuring a mix of engaging puzzles and narrative-driven mechanics, including a unique cyberspace interaction system. While many players appreciate the clever puzzle design and the balance between dialogue and inventory management, some express frustration with pixel-hunting and occasional clunky mechanics. Overall, the game offers a solid experience for fans of the genre, though it may not appeal to those seeking innovative gameplay beyond traditional point-and-click elements.

    • “Mechanically, the game is your standard fare point-and-click game, but the episodic structure helps to alleviate inventory bloat and keep puzzles and scenarios relatively well contained.”
    • “The point-and-click interface is smooth and intuitive, perfectly complementing the narrative-driven gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, using great puzzles and exploration that make sense but are still challenging.”
    • “Unfortunately, I cannot recommend playing this game because the second half of the game ruins the gameplay.”
    • “It's just straight linear gameplay with frustrating pixel-hunt puzzles that only very rarely have more than one solution, and these few puzzles never have any impact on the narrative at large.”
    • “The gameplay is unremarkable, run-of-the-mill point-and-click, but the creative setting and environments make up for that.”
  • atmosphere
    113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its rich, immersive qualities, combining stunning pixel art, a captivating cyberpunk setting, and an atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the storytelling. While some players noted occasional verbosity in dialogue, the overall world-building and character development contribute to a deeply engaging experience. Despite minor criticisms regarding plot coherence, the game's ability to evoke a gritty, dystopian ambiance resonates strongly with players, making it a standout in the point-and-click genre.

    • “The pixel art is stunning, capturing the gritty dystopian atmosphere perfectly, and the music complements the mood beautifully.”
    • “This game has such a rich atmosphere and beautiful storytelling; it's a must-play in my opinion.”
    • “The atmosphere is dead-on cyberpunk, and the music and voice acting is top-notch.”
    • “While the art doesn't look like your standard 'Bladerunner bleak,' the atmosphere and narrative is decidedly not cheery or lighthearted.”
    • “The puzzles were good generally, but the atmosphere is really bad in my opinion, too much dark and dirty world, also atmosphere and story and the dialogues didn't match together and I felt the game was too superficial, the story itself was weak comparing to top old Wadjet Eye games.”
    • “Most Wadjet Eye games tend to have a dry feeling to it, instead of a gripping atmosphere that feels diverse.”
  • humor
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a notable highlight, blending dark satire and clever dialogue that often elicits genuine laughter. Characters are well-developed with quirky personalities, contributing to a mix of comedic moments amidst serious themes. While some players appreciate the balance of humor and drama, others feel that certain aspects, like the game's gruesomeness, can clash with its comedic elements.

    • “The characters are interesting with a variation of personalities and motivations, some of them on the quirky-funny side.”
    • “The story is masterfully balanced between serious, heavy moments and enjoyable touches of levity and humor; it avoids being a grimdark nightmare like so many cyberpunk games, yet also doesn't rely on tongue-in-cheek references to genre classics to score nostalgia points.”
    • “The writing is wry and witty; sardonic Max makes one sarcastic quip after the next, and Charlie has his own way of handling things, as does Latha, but really, so do all characters, major and minor alike, with a humorous writing style in constant flow.”
  • emotional
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the character motivations and emotional arcs lacking depth, while others praise the gripping storyline and immersive experience that elicits genuine feelings. Many appreciate the complex themes of identity and morality, though pacing issues and inconsistent dialogue can detract from emotional investment. Overall, the game is noted for its ability to evoke strong emotions, particularly in its finale, despite some characters not resonating as deeply with all players.

    • “The writing stays grounded, clear, and emotionally resonant, even when grappling with AI ethics, identity, and the commodification of human life.”
    • “I found the game to have a gripping and emotional story that kept me engaged from start to finish, along with voice acting and well-drawn environments to keep the immersion value high.”
    • “The characters' emotional arcs feel realistic and don't suffer from 'because the plot says I can't be mad you tried to kill me, I'm fine now' type issues.”
  • character development
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its complexity and depth, with players noting that it is effectively revealed through character interactions and contributes significantly to the overall narrative. The character design is described as beautiful and quirky, enhancing the immersive experience, while the story features unexpected twists that keep players engaged. Overall, the combination of well-crafted characters, compelling storytelling, and a strong atmosphere makes for a memorable adventure game.

    • “I really thought the worldbuilding and character development was both complex, and was fluidly revealed through character interactions, which combined to make for a very compelling and thought-provoking sci-fi setting!”
    • “Complex and diverse characters with great character development.”
    • “A very nice, albeit short-ish adventure game that has some good examples of effective world-building, character development and perhaps most prominently, nails the cyberpunk aesthetic.”
    • “Character development is lacking depth and fails to engage the player emotionally.”
    • “The character arcs feel rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more.”
    • “I found the character interactions to be superficial, which detracted from the overall experience.”
  • stability
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been criticized for various bugs and glitches, particularly in the final chapter, where players reported issues with character swapping and inventory management. While some minor graphical and sound glitches were noted, most players found them not game-breaking, though they did detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as "buggy," but still enjoyable for fans of the genre.

    • “Gameplay-wise it has common issues of its genre - sometimes the objects you are supposed to interact with are hard to see, also in the last chapter the inventory is a little buggy.”
    • “My review would have been much more positive if I hadn't encountered a game-breaking bug in the last act (the drone wouldn't move), and other glitches as well, but overall I recommend this game for fans of point-and-click adventures and Blade Runner-esque cyberpunk.”
    • “Game is buggy as hell, stuck on the germination part; for some reason, it's not letting me progress.”
  • replayability
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers moderate replayability, primarily through multiple story branches, player choices, and achievements that encourage exploration of different outcomes. While some players felt satisfied after their first playthrough, others appreciated the opportunity to revisit the game for alternative endings and puzzle solutions. Overall, the combination of narrative depth and achievement hunting contributes to its replay value.

    • “It actually has a couple of story branches that yield achievements and change some dialogue options, so there's also some replay value.”
    • “Bonus points for outstanding soundtrack and replay value (different endings).”
    • “Great characters, great pacing, excellent art and voice acting, good puzzles, and even some replayability.”
    • “If you do it this way, then the game will have little to no replay value.”
    • “Doesn't have a ton of replay value, and I definitely needed a walkthrough, but I still highly recommend it!”
    • “No replay value, but I did not mind.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with many puzzles described as rigid and illogical, leading to a cumbersome experience. The slow movement and pixel hunting contribute to the overall tedium, making exploration feel laborious. While the story may redeem some of these issues, the grinding for achievements and the need to meticulously search for interactions can detract from the enjoyment.

    • “Illogical puzzles and a convoluted storyline make this a frustrating and tedious experience.”
    • “Clunky and slow movement makes the game feel tedious throughout.”
    • “This gets pretty tedious, particularly when you're a little stuck, so you're wandering around trying a few different things.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally smooth, particularly with the point-and-click interface, though some players found it necessary to adjust graphical settings for an optimal experience. While the dialogue font may appear pixelated to some, the overall high-quality voice acting and animations contribute positively to the immersive experience. However, the craftsmanship is perceived as lacking, relying heavily on strong performances and visual elements to enhance the gameplay.

    • “The point & click interface runs smoothly, but it took some tinkering with the game’s graphical settings before I was satisfied with the result. The dialogue font is a bit pixelated for my taste, but it wasn’t that much of a strain.”
    • “It's an experience brought to life beautifully by high-quality vocal performances, decent if underutilized synth and techno music, solid character and background artwork, and butter-smooth animations.”
    • “All the performances in this game are top notch, with great writing throughout.”
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12h Median play time
14h Average play time
8-15h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
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Technobabylon is a arcade role playing game with mystery, thriller and science fiction themes.

Technobabylon is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 14 hours playing Technobabylon.

Technobabylon was released on May 21, 2015.

Technobabylon was developed by Technocrat Games.

Technobabylon has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Technobabylon is a single player game.

Similar games include Primordia, Gemini Rue, Shardlight, Resonance, Kathy Rain and others.