The Construct
- September 12, 2016
- Cannibal Panda Studios
Get on Steam"The Construct" is a first-person puzzle-platformer that challenges players to manipulate time and space. By creating constructs, or physical objects, players can solve complex puzzles, navigate treacherous environments, and ultimately uncover the mysteries of the game's surreal world. With its unique mechanics and atmospheric design, "The Construct" offers a fresh and engaging take on the puzzle-platformer genre.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a surprising depth with elements of level searching and lightweight adventure gameplay, making it more engaging than a typical retro shooter.
- The colorful levels and musical accompaniment are enjoyable, providing a nostalgic feel for fans of retro games.
- It serves as a fun activity to pass the time, especially for those who appreciate indie and retro-style games.
- The controls are floaty and imprecise, making the gameplay experience frustrating and unsatisfying.
- The graphics are basic and do not meet the expectations of modern PC gamers, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Many players have reported a lack of interest in the game, as evidenced by low achievement completion rates and minimal community engagement.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being janky and unsatisfying, lacking the necessary polish and responsiveness expected from the genre, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay decent and enjoyable, particularly for fans of similar indie titles, there are notable issues with the control scheme and minor bugs related to Steam achievements. Overall, the game struggles to deliver a refined gameplay experience.
“On the gameplay, it's something like a scrolling shooter, but then you have more freedom of action, so this is not a scrolling shooter.”
“I have experienced no gameplay or enjoyment-affecting bugs whatsoever, but there seems to be a minor bug regarding Steam achievements, as sometimes you don't get them, sometimes you only get them when you exit to the main menu, and sometimes they are shown, sometimes not.”
“It's janky and unsatisfying to play... and any experienced gamer will tell you, the handling, responsiveness, and general gameplay feel of the control scheme must be well polished for this kind of game to succeed.”
“Unfortunately, this is something the developer seems to have phoned in, with little to no apparent gameplay testing or polish done.”
“The graphics are quite fine for a small indie game, and the gameplay is also decent for those who like these types of games.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story is described as initially complex but becomes clearer and more engaging as players progress, particularly towards the end. It conveys a powerful moral about perseverance and the unpredictability of life, ultimately leading to a creative and rewarding narrative experience.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“I have managed to get to about 80% of the main storyline, I guess; I'm at the level right after the second boss battle.”
“The storyline is sometimes a bit tricky to figure out, but it gets much clearer towards the end, and once you get it, you will love it; it's really creative.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by simple, basic 2D visuals that, while not terrible, fail to impress in the context of modern gaming standards. They may be acceptable for a small indie title, but they lack the polish and innovation that would appeal to more discerning gamers. Overall, the visuals are functional but unremarkable.
“The graphics are quite fine for a small indie game, and the gameplay is also decent for those who like these types of games.”
“The game features simple, fairly basic 2D visuals, and while some effort went into them, they don't look bad exactly, but they don't look great, either.”
“In the 3D era of gaming, which kicked off in the mid-1990s with dedicated 3D GPUs like the S3 Virge and ATI Rage, phoning in the graphics like this isn't going to win any awards or appeal to enthusiast PC gamers.”
“The graphics are quite fine for a small indie game, but they don't stand out in a crowded market.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its relaxing qualities, providing a soothing backdrop that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the musical accompaniment, noting its ability to create a calming atmosphere.
“I would also like to note the musical accompaniment, which is very pleasing.”
“The music creates a calming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“I would also like to note the musical accompaniment, which is also very pleasing.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is criticized as a "greedy cash grab" with a price of around $5 USD, which many users feel is unjustifiable due to the game's defects and the availability of superior free alternatives on platforms like Steam.
“The construct has the greedy, cash grab price of around $5 USD. It's not worth it given the defects and shortcomings with the product, especially considering the sheer number of completely free, much higher quality games on Steam.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while there are some glitches present in the game, they do not significantly impact gameplay, indicating a generally stable experience.
“There are some glitches, but nothing game-breaking.”
“There are some glitches, but nothing game-breaking.”
