THE ART: Metamorphosis

About

"THE ART: Metamorphosis" is a puzzle game that challenges you to arrange picture fragments in correct sequences, providing insight into various styles and genres of painting. By completing these artworks, you help the artist reveal her story, passion, and success, all while enhancing your own understanding and appreciation of the art. A unique and engaging experience for art enthusiasts and puzzle lovers alike.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 27 reviews

music10 positive mentions

monetization2 negative mentions

The game features a unique and satisfying mechanic of rotating segments to complete beautiful artwork, providing a relaxing experience.
Players can import their own images, adding replayability and customization to the gameplay.
The art and music are praised for their quality, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for casual gamers.

The game is very short, with some players completing it in under an hour, leading to concerns about its overall value.
There are technical issues, such as locked controls and lack of options like windowed mode and volume control, which detract from the experience.
The game has been criticized for being a low-effort port of a previous title, raising concerns about originality and quality.

music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
77%
8%
15%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and ethereal qualities, complementing the beautiful artwork and intuitive gameplay. Many users found the soundtrack enjoyable and well-chosen, although some noted that the overall experience felt somewhat familiar and not entirely polished. Despite minor issues, the combination of calming music and vibrant visuals creates an engaging atmosphere that keeps players immersed.
- “There's something so nice in that combination of gorgeous art, relaxing music, and intuitive gameplay that I completely lost track of time.”
- “What a great game, the music is so relaxing and the art is fab.”
- “Ethereal piano and violin music and great colorful images made this a game I couldn't walk away from.”
- “Music can only be toggled at the main menu.”
- “Well-chosen music tracks (original had only one).”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
29%
29%
The graphics in the game are described as a mix of simplistic retro pixel art and bold, attractive artwork, with some users appreciating the beauty of the puzzles despite the overall lack of polish. However, there are concerns about the game's art style being inconsistent and reminiscent of other titles, raising questions about originality and quality.
- “The puzzles you do are really pretty, even if the game is graphically super simple.”
- “While the bold artworks are splendid and the music relaxing, it's not entirely polished.”
- “Excellent artwork.”
- “Like most GameMaker Studio construction kit games, this features lazy 2D retro pixel art instead of professionally done, contemporary PC graphics.”
- “I think I'd have preferred for it to stick to one theme in terms of the art style.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The gameplay is characterized by a satisfying and intuitive sliding mechanic that enhances the puzzle-solving experience, reminiscent of classic physical games. Players appreciate the combination of beautiful art and relaxing music, which contributes to an immersive and enjoyable gaming session. Overall, the game offers a unique twist on traditional puzzle mechanics that keeps players engaged.
- “It's a fun, simple puzzle game with a really satisfying mechanic.”
- “There's something so nice in that combination of gorgeous art, relaxing music, and intuitive gameplay that I completely lost track of time.”
- “The mechanic of sliding the pieces is one I enjoy for physical games, and I never experienced it in a virtual game until this one, and it is not all that bad.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
- “I found the controls to be unresponsive at times, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- “The pacing of the gameplay is off, leading to frustrating moments that break the immersion.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game lacks a traditional narrative, with users noting that there is no explicit story; however, the puzzles and accompanying art can convey a narrative experience if players take the time to engage with them. Some players report that focusing on the main elements can take around 10 to 20 hours.
- “The game doesn't have a traditional story, but the puzzles and art can convey a narrative of their own once you complete them. If you take the time to look at them a little longer, you'll find a deeper meaning.”
- “While there isn't a conventional story in the game, the way the puzzles and art come together can create a unique narrative experience for those willing to explore.”
- “The game may not have a defined story, but the intricate puzzles and beautiful artwork tell a story that unfolds as you engage with them.”
- “There is none (there isn't a story to the game, but the puzzles and art can tell you a story of their own once you complete them and the image is ready, if you just choose to take the time to look at them a little longer).”
- “There is none (there isn't a story to the game, but the puzzles and art can tell you a story of their own once you complete them and the image is ready, if you just choose to take the time to look at them a little longer).”
- “Few hours (10 - 20 hours) [if you focus on the main story].”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers significant replayability due to the option for players to upload their own images, allowing for a personalized experience that enhances the game's longevity and creative potential.
- “The coolest part was when I noticed the option to upload any picture you want, tested it on another cool picture from the internet, and realized the infinite replayability potential the art has.”
- “It does have replayability as you are able to add your own pictures.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a lazy cash grab, particularly due to its origins as a mobile app and the use of GameMaker Studio, which is often associated with low-effort, low-quality games.
- “As usual, if a mobile app has been dumped on Steam, it's a lazy cash grab.”
- “Very often, GameMaker Studio is used to make shovelware and lazy cash grabs.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users generally find the humor in the game to be effective and entertaining, contributing positively to the overall experience.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is praised for its touching art and amazing music, which contribute to a deeply emotional experience. Its versatility appeals to a wide range of ages, enhancing its overall impact.
- “The touching art and amazing music create an emotional experience that resonates with players of all ages.”
- “The versatility of the game allows it to connect with a wide range of emotions, making it a truly impactful experience.”
- “This game evokes a deep emotional response, leaving players feeling connected and moved by the story.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is severely lacking, causing significant performance issues that can lead to system slowdowns, even for a simple slide puzzle format.
- “It's a slide puzzle game, but it's so badly optimized that my computer grinds to a halt.”