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.

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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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 778 reviews

story143 positive mentions

grinding30 negative mentions

Beautiful hand-drawn art style and animations that create an immersive atmosphere.
Clever puzzles that utilize unique magnetism mechanics, providing a satisfying challenge.
Engaging non-verbal storytelling that unfolds through environmental details and collectible scrolls.

Frustrating boss battles that require memorization of patterns and can lead to tedious repetition.
Controls can feel imprecise and floaty, making platforming sections more challenging than intended.
The game is relatively short, and some players may find the requirement to collect scrolls for the true ending to be tedious.

story
352 mentions
41 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of Teslagrad is primarily conveyed through visual storytelling, utilizing hand-drawn art, collectible scrolls, and puppet theater scenes, all without any dialogue. While some players find the narrative engaging and appreciate its unique presentation, others feel it lacks depth and can be difficult to follow. Overall, the game offers a simple yet intriguing plot that unfolds gradually, rewarding exploration and puzzle-solving with additional story elements.
- “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 intriguing and despite it not using words, it is a compelling story.”
- “The story is told purely visually with no dialogue or narration whatsoever, which was what got me interested in what Teslagrad was in the first place.”
- “From the beginning, there's a nondescript story and world with very little understanding created by the game, from whatever the technology is, to the enemies seemingly part of a group after the player, or the dog-like monsters.”
- “The story is not that complex, but it is different enough from the usual fantasy offerings that it was a reasonable part of my motivation to finish.”
- “The story is told purely visually with no dialogue or narration whatsoever.”
gameplay
337 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Teslagrad is characterized by its unique magnetism-based mechanics and engaging puzzle design, which many players find innovative and enjoyable. However, the controls can be imprecise and frustrating, particularly during boss fights, leading to a mix of rewarding and tedious experiences. Overall, while the game offers a visually stunning environment and clever puzzles, the execution of its mechanics can detract from the overall enjoyment, resulting in a polarized reception among players.
- “Amazing game, can't wait to play the sequel, lots of puzzle challenges in each room and interesting boss fights that use different mechanics.”
- “A beautiful metroidvania puzzle-platformer with creative mechanics centered around magnetic powers and a well-designed array of puzzles that test the player’s ingenuity.”
- “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.”
- “Interesting puzzle mechanics ruined by bad controls and frustrating difficulty.”
- “Terrible controls, wonky, unintuitive mechanics, and it forces you to backtrack through the worst areas of the game several times.”
- “The game's mechanics focus on puzzles, and the bosses try to use those mechanics as if it were an action game, leading to some very unbalanced attack patterns.”
graphics
212 mentions
66 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful hand-drawn art style, fluid animations, and atmospheric visuals that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers noted the unique blend of steampunk and medieval influences, creating a captivating aesthetic that complements the gameplay and storytelling. While some mentioned minor issues with detail and hit detection, the overall impression is that the graphics are a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “Gorgeous hand-drawn graphics, the brilliant musical score, the punishing (at times) gameplay, the responsive controls, and the immersive story all make this a must-buy game.”
- “The art style is beautiful, and the dynamics of this game were ingenious.”
- “The visuals are vibrant and gorgeously animated, and the atmosphere of the game struck me in a way that I haven't felt from an indie game in a long time.”
- “You will die to hitboxes that don't correspond to the visuals.”
- “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
147 mentions
67 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. While some tracks are described as beautiful and fitting for the game's themes, a few players noted that certain pieces can feel repetitive or lack memorability. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong complement to the game's stunning visuals and engaging puzzles, contributing significantly to its immersive storytelling.
- “The soundtrack was good, not at all distracting, and sometimes very effective at getting you pumped up to tackle a puzzle/boss.”
- “The music features elements of Vangelis of Blade Runner fame and, when complemented by the beautiful graphics, it's quite the experience.”
- “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.”
- “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
38 mentions
74 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive music, and cohesive design, creating a captivating experience that enhances the puzzle-solving elements. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to convey emotion and storytelling through its art and sound, drawing comparisons to titles like Hollow Knight. However, some players mentioned occasional inconsistencies in ambient sound that detracted from the overall experience.
- “The atmosphere is the best I've seen in a long time, and it all fits together perfectly.”
- “The art style and atmosphere are fantastic, and the mechanics present many interesting puzzles.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, the lore, everything is perfect.”
- “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 other areas have a melodic atmosphere.”
- “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.”
- “This is a puzzle platformer with almost no text or talking; everything is conveyed in the atmosphere and interactions.”
grinding
30 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, particularly during puzzles and boss fights that require multiple attempts to succeed. Players express frustration with the instant-death mechanics and the need for precise execution, which often leads to a cycle of trial and error that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some acknowledge the aesthetic appeal, the gameplay is generally described as uninspired and overly challenging in a frustrating way.
- “It's not challenging, it's just tedious, repetitive and boring.”
- “However, as the game instantly kills your character when hit, boss fights quickly devolve into a tedious process of trial and error as you slowly learn how to dodge each attack before promptly dying to the next one.”
- “Couple this with infuriating boss fights, some of which require at least a dozen grindy attempts, and Teslagrad disappointingly fails to live up to its potential.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers some incentive through collectible scrolls and tarot cards that can lead to different endings, many players find the overall replay value to be low, with completion times averaging around 4-6 hours. Some players appreciate the fun factor and the option to hunt for collectibles, but others feel that the limited content does not warrant significant replay.
- “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 100% completion, with lots of replayability. 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”
emotional
8 mentions
88 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a heartwarming narrative that evokes strong feelings, particularly through poignant character encounters and a touching soundtrack. Players appreciate the art style, likening it to a Disney movie, which enhances the overall emotional journey. However, some elements, like puppet exposition, detract from the experience, suggesting a mixed reception regarding storytelling methods.
- “When I saw the old man that chased me from the start, I was emotionally moved by it.”
- “The art style made me feel like I was playing through a Disney movie.”
- “The story is very heartwarming in certain parts and leaves the guessing about the background story.”
- “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.”
humor
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its unpredictable physics and quirky design, which can lead to amusing situations despite some frustrations. Players appreciate the blend of beautiful graphics and comedic elements, finding it capable of eliciting laughter even in challenging moments. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with gameplay, making it enjoyable for fans of puzzles and platformers.
- “Funny little platform with beautiful graphics and inspired landscapes.”
- “Even though I was frustrated, I found myself laughing often, and that's not easy for any puzzle or platformer game to do.”
- “It's a very nice and smooth gameplay throughout the game; it's really funny and without a doubt a '4/5'.”
stability
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting frustrating bugs and glitches that negatively impacted their experience, particularly during critical moments like final fights. However, others noted that the game runs smoothly overall, suggesting that stability may vary among different users.
- “Everything runs great.”
- “The game is incredibly stable, with no crashes or bugs.”
- “I haven't experienced any lag or performance issues.”
- “I found similar technical issues in other indie games, such as Super Daryl Deluxe, which had some glitches that diminished my overall perception of the game. Coincidentally, one of them was also a soft-lock in the final fight.”
- “Fun, but buggy and teaches its mechanics with death.”
- “Another annoying thing is the few bugs and glitches I encountered with the game. This sadly ruined my experience, plus the number of checkpoints is very few.”
optimization
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is criticized for its floaty and imprecise controls, as well as performance hitches, which detract from the overall experience despite its charming art and music. Additionally, it is noted that the game is not well-optimized for controller use, impacting immersion.
- “Overall, it's a puzzle platformer about magnetics, with really gorgeous art and decently moody music.”
- “It was a delight to play through the first time, and just as fun on repeat performances.”
- “Floaty, imprecise controls and weird performance hitches ruin what otherwise could have been a charming puzzle/platformer.”
- “The game suffers from severe frame drops and inconsistent loading times, making it frustrating to play.”
- “Optimization issues lead to frequent crashes and long wait times, detracting from the overall experience.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is initially understated but becomes impactful through unexpected plot twists and moments that enhance the overall melancholic atmosphere. The simple yet appealing character designs complement the detailed environments, contributing to a cohesive tone that supports the narrative's emotional depth.
- “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 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.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “Despite some interesting concepts, the character development is poorly executed, leaving many characters feeling one-dimensional.”