The Alpha Device

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 69 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
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Beyond space, beyond reason... beyond humanity. Discover a gripping tale of a dystopian future narrated by David Hewlett, star of the Academy Award-nominated The Shape Of Water.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 69 reviews
story28 positive mentions
gameplay5 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling and interesting sci-fi narrative, enhanced by excellent voice acting from David Hewlett.
  • It's a free game that offers a unique and immersive experience in a beautifully designed abstract environment.
  • The minimalist gameplay allows for a meditative experience, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate narrative-driven content.
  • The game requires a controller for play, with no support for keyboard and mouse, which limits accessibility for some players.
  • Gameplay can become tedious as it primarily involves moving from one green dot to another, leading to a repetitive experience.
  • There are control and optimization issues, including slow movement and occasional navigation problems that can detract from the overall experience.
  • story91 mentions

    The game's story is a minimalist yet compelling sci-fi narrative delivered through short audio segments, which players uncover by navigating a maze-like environment. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, some players find the repetitive "find the green dot" mechanic tedious, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its simplicity and brevity, the story captivates many, making it a worthwhile journey for fans of immersive storytelling.

    • “The story is compelling, twisted, and ultimately sad.”
    • “The story is excellent with a powerful narration; this game will take around an hour to experience and is well worth your time, especially if you appreciate fractal algorithms.”
    • “An interesting dystopian science fiction tale with philosophical overtones, narrated in short segments; each segment is triggered by moving around and locating a monolith in a vast 3-dimensional maze. The voice acting is excellent and the story imaginative.”
    • “Maybe it's because I've been spoiled by countless imaginative science fiction narratives, but the story of the alpha device just isn't enough to justify the tedium of moving from one green dot to the next in an environment that only gets more annoying the longer you explore it.”
    • “While the story itself, told in small passages, is intriguing, I can't say I was particularly a fan of where it went.”
    • “The twist is predictable and the story really feels bland and overused.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game feature a unique, simple style that enhances the atmospheric storytelling, but they suffer from significant optimization issues, leading to blurriness during movement. While some players appreciate the otherworldly visuals and find them immersive, others note that the graphics can detract from the experience due to performance limitations, especially on older hardware. Overall, the visuals are intriguing but could benefit from improvements to clarity and optimization.

    • “The simple, otherworldly graphics actually add to the atmosphere of the story.”
    • “Really enjoyed it, well made, lovely visuals and moody music - and the voice acting is superb.”
    • “The hypnotic graphics of the alpha device you are inside are mesmerizing.”
    • “The graphics are simple, fractal shapes.”
    • “I do wish there was a bit more optimization on the graphics, as everything does get a bit blurry whenever you move.”
    • “As soon as you move the slightest, the graphics become a soupy mess again.”
  • gameplay13 mentions

    The gameplay is largely criticized for being tedious and lacking depth, primarily revolving around simple navigation and repetitive mechanics like finding green dots in a poorly designed environment. While some players appreciate the immersive storytelling, many find the gameplay frustratingly minimal and unengaging, leading to a mixed overall experience.

    • “For such simple mechanics, and in less than an hour to do it, the alpha device delivers an immersive and thoroughly enjoyable experience and true excellence in story-telling.”
    • “The gameplay involves slowly creeping around in a large, poorly-performing fractal world with terrible lighting that makes me motion sick.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game is much longer than that because of the tedious nature of the gameplay.”
    • “In addition, the gameplay is atrocious, consisting only of flying through 3D fractal geometry.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is characterized as simple yet haunting, effectively enhancing the atmosphere with its moody and ambient qualities. Reviewers appreciate the combination of good sound effects, superb voice acting, and a spooky soundtrack that complements the well-presented story and visuals. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the immersive experience.

    • “The music is simple yet haunting, playing subtly in the background.”
    • “It's a decent story, well presented with good sound effects and ambient moody music.”
    • “Really enjoyed it, well made, lovely visuals and moody music - and the voice acting is superb.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its creativity and immersion, enhanced by simple yet effective graphics that contribute to the storytelling. While the unique ambiance and engaging narrative are highlighted, some users feel that navigation issues detract from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere evokes a sense of otherworldliness reminiscent of classic films like "2001: A Space Odyssey."

    • “Essentially, this is a wonderful example of truly creative development, immersive unique atmosphere, and ingenuity.”
    • “If the navigation issue wasn't there, I'd say 4/5 stars for the short engaging story and the unusual atmosphere used to present it.”
    • “I really enjoyed the narrative, and the whole atmosphere was very good; it kind of reminded me a bit of the 2001 movie with the monoliths and all.”
    • “The simple, otherworldly graphics actually add to the atmosphere of the story, but overall there's still not enough here to recommend.”
    • “The game tries to create a haunting atmosphere, but it falls flat due to repetitive environments and lackluster sound design.”
    • “While the setting has potential, the atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the experience.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, particularly after the initial 30 minutes, which can make the overall experience feel prolonged and unenjoyable. Many suggest that the slow movement speed exacerbates the grind, making it feel even more laborious.

    • “After about 30 minutes, it becomes extremely tedious because movement is at one speed: slow.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game is much longer than that because of the tedious nature of the gameplay.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers minimal replayability, as players find that once they complete the story, there are no alternate endings or paths to explore, limiting the incentive to revisit the game.

    • “There isn't really any replay value, since once you've gone through the story, that's it - there's no alternate endings or paths you could explore.”
    • “After finishing the game, I felt no urge to play it again. The lack of different choices or outcomes makes it feel like a one-time experience.”
    • “The game offers no incentives to replay; once you've seen the story, there's nothing left to discover.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions through its compelling storytelling and atmospheric audio design, noting that the stark environments enhance the overall emotional experience throughout the gameplay.

    • “The game tells a great story through audio recordings, and I was surprised to find how the stark, cold environments pulled me in. Combined with the fantastic audio score, it created an emotional experience that lasted throughout.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters and their struggles resonated with me on a personal level, making every decision feel weighty and impactful.”
    • “I was moved by the narrative's ability to evoke such strong feelings; it made me reflect on my own experiences and emotions in a profound way.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Users have noted that the game's graphics could benefit from better optimization, as they tend to become blurry during movement.

    • “The game's optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimization, making the game run seamlessly without any noticeable lag.”
    • “The optimization of the game is top-notch, ensuring that it maintains a high frame rate even in intense situations.”
    • “I do wish there was a bit more optimization on the graphics, as everything does get a bit blurry whenever you move.”
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