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Teslagrad

Teslagrad is an exceptional example of non-verbal storytelling, relying on delightfully smooth animation and clever puzzles to see the player through to the end.
78%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
84% User Score Based on 2,444 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 19 reviews

Platforms

iPadiPadiPhiPhoneMOMac OSNSNintendo SwitchPCPCPhoPhoneP4Playstation 4P5Playstation 5WinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SAndAndroidLinLinuxMPMobile PlatformPlaPlayStationP3Playstation 3PVPlaystation VitaTabTabletWiiWiiWUWii UXboxXbox

About

Teslagrad is a 2D puzzle-platformer game with action elements, focusing on magnetism and other electromagnetic powers. Players explore the Tesla Tower, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets in the Kingdom of Elektropia, all through visual storytelling. With hand-made graphics, innovative gameplay, and no in-app purchases, Teslagrad offers a unique mobile gaming experience.

Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
Teslagrad screenshot
+14

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,463 reviews
story453 positive mentions
grinding103 negative mentions

  • Beautiful hand-drawn art style and animations.
  • Clever puzzles that utilize magnetism mechanics effectively.
  • Engaging non-verbal storytelling through environmental cues and puppet shows.
  • Frustrating boss fights with one-hit kills and no checkpoints during battles.
  • Controls can feel imprecise and floaty, leading to cheap deaths.
  • Some puzzles require trial and error, which can be tedious and frustrating.
  • story
    1,163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Teslagrad* is primarily conveyed through visual storytelling, utilizing puppet shows and collectible scrolls to reveal its narrative without any dialogue. While some players appreciate the minimalist approach and find the story engaging, others criticize it for being simplistic and lacking depth, often feeling disconnected from the gameplay. Overall, the unique presentation and charming art style contribute to a compelling experience, though the story's effectiveness can vary based on individual interpretation and engagement with the collectibles.

    • “The trailer really pulled me in but what sticks with you the most is the compelling story, drawing you closer to an electrically charged finale.”
    • “An absolute masterpiece and a wonderful romp from start to finish, Teslagrad's unique setting and a 'show, not tell' approach to lore and storytelling will captivate and engage you.”
    • “The story is excellent, and is even more so for the fact that not a single word is spoken.”
    • “The story is very bare-bones and there is pretty much no real investment in it, so all there is is the puzzles – and while they’re okay, it just does not excite.”
    • “The story is nothing special, but it is told well - completely through the background graphics without a single line of dialogue or even written text except for the achievement names for finding the collectibles.”
    • “The story is simple but well done.”
  • gameplay
    1,089 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Teslagrad is characterized by its unique magnetism mechanics, which offer engaging puzzle-solving experiences and platforming challenges. While many players appreciate the innovative design and beautiful art, there are significant criticisms regarding control precision, frustrating boss fights, and a reliance on trial-and-error gameplay that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game presents a mix of fun and frustration, appealing to those who enjoy challenging puzzle-platformers but potentially alienating players who prefer smoother mechanics and clearer guidance.

    • “The gameplay is fun, the puzzles using the magnet abilities are very creative, although, a fair warning: the game requires tight play and I can see people who are not experienced with platformers struggling a lot.”
    • “Incredible game, very interesting puzzles that make you feel smart for completing them with magnetism/electricity mechanics that I haven't seen anywhere else.”
    • “The mechanics are solid and the game paces them very well so that you are constantly being introduced to something new and unique; I don't feel like there's a lot of rehashing old puzzles or mechanics, the game just builds on everything you've done and makes it new.”
    • “I ended up throwing in the towel on the boss right after you get the fourth power-up, which not only has a bunch of janky attraction mechanics built in, but also seemingly moves its vulnerable spot into an area that can't even be damaged, causing you to have to kill yourself to restart the fight and hope for the best.”
    • “Interesting puzzle mechanics ruined by bad controls and frustrating difficulty.”
    • “The game mechanics are horrible.”
  • graphics
    732 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Teslagrad" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning hand-drawn art style, which combines steampunk and Eastern European influences to create a visually captivating experience. Players appreciate the fluid animations and the unique aesthetic that enhances the game's storytelling, often noting that the visuals are a standout feature that complements the gameplay. While some critiques mention minor graphical inconsistencies, the overall impression is that the game's visuals are beautiful and engaging, making it a highlight of the experience.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, the sound is very well made, and the mechanics are somewhat innovative.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, and reminds me of a mixture of Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks animation; the art style is really beautiful!”
    • “The artwork is superb, plenty of 2D eye candy and interesting scenery changes.”
    • “Some have praised the art style but I found it quite bland and repetitive.”
    • “Speak of graphics, the images are not very detailed (or it's just its unique art style?).”
    • “Very polished graphics and reasonable base platforming, but marred by poor controls and arbitrary, inconsistent and unrewarding level design.”
  • music
    483 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its atmospheric quality, effectively complementing the gameplay and enhancing the overall experience. Many players noted the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions, with standout moments during boss fights and key narrative points, while some found it occasionally repetitive or lacking in variety. Overall, the combination of beautiful art and engaging music creates a captivating environment that players appreciate, making it a significant highlight of the game.

    • “The music is fantastic, very atmospheric and matches the current action quite well.”
    • “The hand-drawn art and backgrounds are all beautiful to look at, and there’s no shortage of good music, both of the catchy and atmospheric variety.”
    • “The soundtrack is engaging and charming and has its amazing moments at key points of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is either incredibly dull or non-existent in some areas.”
    • “Teslagrad also suffers from some very lackluster music with it being ambient to the point of it being as good as white noise while you go through the game.”
    • “As for the music, while it is pretty at first, the tracks are very short loops and you'll be fed up real quick after you're respawned at the beginning of the section for the tenth time.”
  • atmosphere
    130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Teslagrad is widely praised for its captivating art style, haunting music, and immersive world-building, creating a mysterious and engaging environment that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the combination of visual and auditory elements that evoke a range of emotions, from intrigue to nostalgia, while some note that the occasional lack of ambient sound can disrupt the immersion. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest features, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “The atmosphere is the best I've seen in a long time, and it all fits together perfectly.”
    • “The atmosphere combined with the music is very ominous; however, you might find yourself thinking, 'that's it?' it may be an easy fight, but the first fight is mostly designed to adjust your thinking in how you fight the bosses.”
    • “There's a slightly haunting atmosphere that develops as you continue to explore and uncover the story of a twisted king and what had transpired in the past to lead up to this point.”
    • “The game feels unfinished due to some areas having absolutely no ambient sound, leaving you with absolute silence to stand around in while solving puzzles, while others have a melodic atmosphere.”
    • “Some people might find it a little disappointingly vague, but I think it adds to the mystery of the setting and enhances the 'lonely' atmosphere (I mean, you are mostly alone in a huge tower).”
    • “Game play can be all from standing still, looking around the room thinking of possible solutions to get around in the room to the next area, to quickly do impulsive choices while being chased by things that want you as their breakfast; the atmosphere is a combination of something sad, horror, and motivating as you fight through skeleton-filled dungeons and bosses made out of the weirdest machines.”
  • grinding
    103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized for its tediousness, particularly in boss fights and puzzle sections that require repetitive trial and error due to one-hit deaths and a lack of checkpoints. Players often find themselves frustrated by the need to backtrack through long sequences after minor mistakes, leading to a gameplay experience that feels more punishing than challenging. While some appreciate the aesthetic and story, the overall sentiment is that the game is bogged down by its tedious mechanics, making it less enjoyable for many players.

    • “The boss fights would have benefited from some of the same checkpointing that the rest of the game used - restarting from the beginning because of a small mistake became tedious.”
    • “It's not challenging, it's just tedious, repetitive, and boring.”
    • “The game becomes tedious because a single mistake will make you redo long sequences, whether it’s a large puzzle room or a boss with just one hard to avoid attack.”
  • emotional
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it heartwarming and impactful, particularly through its art style and soundtrack, which evoke a Disney-like experience. However, others criticize the story as generic and lacking depth, feeling disconnected from the gameplay and overwhelmed by puzzles that detract from emotional engagement. Overall, while there are moments of genuine emotional resonance, the narrative's execution leaves some players wanting more.

    • “It was a real emotional journey.”
    • “The story is heartwarming and well played.”
    • “Much like its platform brothers, it has a silent, touching narrative told through its excellent soundtrack and beautiful art style.”
    • “It's a generic, semi-walled off, boring story with nothing unique about it.”
    • “You walk into a room that looks like a theater, and suddenly you are greeted with dull puppet exposition on an even more boring story.”
  • replayability
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers some incentive through collectible hunting and alternative endings, many players find it limited, especially in the puzzle platformer genre. The main campaign can be completed in about 4-6 hours, and while some players enjoy speedrunning or collecting hidden items, the general consensus is that replay value is low, with ratings averaging around 6/10. Collecting all scrolls and tarot cards can enhance the experience, but many feel the game lacks substantial replayability.

    • “There are 36 scrolls in the whole game, but to finish it you only need 15. The rest is for replayability, and if you gather them all and return to the last boss, the ending is completely different.”
    • “You can even increase the replay value by collecting all the tarot cards hidden in hard-to-reach places.”
    • “It's a short 4-5 hour game depending on if you look for a 100% completion with lots of replayability, and because of this, I give it an 8/10.”
    • “Not much to offer in terms of replayability, but that's not really a problem in my eyes.”
    • “It took me five hours to 100% so it's not too challenging and there is not much replayability.”
    • “Replay value is just about absolute 0”
  • humor
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is a standout feature, eliciting laughter through its quirky design and unpredictable physics, which can lead to both frustration and amusement. Players appreciate the blend of funny moments with engaging puzzles and exploration, often finding themselves laughing at their own mistakes. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the enjoyment, making it a memorable experience despite some predictable elements.

    • “Funny little platform with beautiful graphics and inspired landscapes.”
    • “This game made me facepalm, laugh, yell, and laugh out loud (at myself for being so stupid) and frustrated.”
    • “Even though I was frustrated, I found myself laughing often, and that's not easy for any puzzle or platformer game to do.”
  • stability
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing intermittent bugs and glitches that negatively impacted their overall enjoyment. However, others reported a smooth experience with no significant technical issues, highlighting that the game generally feels solid and stable. Overall, while some players encountered frustrating bugs, many found the game to run well without major stability concerns.

    • “It was consistently smooth, with no glitches, stutter, or lag at all. The game seems very solid and stable in general.”
    • “Everything runs great.”
    • “That isn't helped by somewhat intermittently buggy mechanics.”
    • “Another annoying thing is the few bugs and glitches I encountered with the game; this sadly ruined my experience, plus the amount of checkpoints there are very few.”
    • “Fun, but buggy and teaches its mechanics with death.”
  • optimization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs well on lower-end machines and is not capped at 60fps, players report significant performance issues, including frame drops to 30fps in certain areas. Additionally, the controls are described as floaty and imprecise, particularly for controller users, which detracts from the overall experience despite the game's charming art and music.

    • “Now while there's no deep options menu, the lighting effects can be toned down, which is where most of your performance issues will arise. It's also not capped at 60fps (thank you!!!) and runs fairly well even on my low-end machine.”
    • “It was a delight to play through the first time, and just as fun on repeat performances.”
    • “Overall, it's a puzzle platformer about magnetics, with really gorgeous art and decently moody music.”
    • “Floaty, imprecise controls and weird performance hitches ruin what otherwise could have been a charming puzzle/platformer.”
    • “- Weird performance issues - I don't have the fastest computer, true, but still, I would not expect the game dropping down to 30 fps in a few areas.”
    • “Now while there's no deep options menu, the lighting effects can be toned down, which is where most of your performance issues will arise. It's also not capped at 60 fps (thank you!!!) and runs fairly well even on my low-end machine.”
  • character development
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by unexpected plot twists and poignant moments that enhance its melancholic atmosphere. The distinct and beautiful character designs complement the narrative, contributing to a visually appealing experience that aligns well with the game's tone. Overall, while the story may initially seem unremarkable, it reveals depth through its character arcs.

    • “At first, I admit, I didn't think there was anything particularly special about the story, but I was caught off-guard by a plot twist and a couple of moments of character development that really helped drive home the game's melancholy mood.”
    • “The character designs also vary and are very beautiful and distinct from each other.”
    • “The character designs are simple, cartoonish, and pleasing, while the environments and bosses have what I feel to be the perfect degree of detail and fidelity to fit in with the tone of the game.”

Buy Teslagrad

8h Median play time
6h Average play time
3-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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