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 it initially appears.
- Many players found joy and hope through the game, highlighting its ability to provide a positive escape during tough times.
- The colorful levels and musical accompaniment were appreciated, contributing to a nostalgic retro gaming experience.
- The controls are often described as floaty and imprecise, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience that many players found unbearable.
- The graphics are basic and do not meet the expectations of modern PC gamers, which detracts from the overall experience.
- There are numerous technical issues, including glitches and unresponsive controls, which significantly hinder gameplay and enjoyment.
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for being janky and lacking polish, with issues in handling and responsiveness that detract from the overall experience. While some players find it decent for an indie title, there are notable bugs related to achievements that can affect enjoyment. Overall, the game struggles to deliver a satisfying gameplay experience.
“On the gameplay, it's something like a scrolling shooter, but you have more freedom of action, so this is not just a scrolling shooter.”
“The graphics are quite fine for a small indie game, and the gameplay is also decent for those who enjoy these types of games.”
“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. Any experienced gamer will tell you that 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 gameplay is decent for those who like these types of games, but it lacks the depth and engagement that would make it truly enjoyable.”
- story3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story emphasizes resilience and the unpredictability of life, with a narrative that becomes clearer as players progress, particularly after the second boss battle. While initially complex, the creative storyline ultimately rewards players with a satisfying experience as they near completion.
“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.”
“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.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are simple and 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 are unlikely to appeal to enthusiasts accustomed to higher-quality visuals. Overall, the graphics are functional but lack the polish needed to stand out.
“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.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its relaxing qualities, providing a soothing backdrop that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the musical accompaniment, noting its positive impact on their enjoyment and sense of well-being.
“I would also like to note the musical accompaniment, which is very pleasing.”
“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.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is criticized as a greedy cash grab, priced at around $5 USD, which many users feel is unjustified due to the game's defects and the availability of superior free alternatives on platforms like Steam.
“The construct has a greedy, cash grab price of around $5 USD. It's not worth it given the defects and shortcomings of the product, especially considering the sheer number of completely free, much higher quality games on Steam.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze money out of players rather than provide a fair gaming experience.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while there are some glitches present, they do not significantly impact gameplay, indicating a generally stable experience.
“There are some glitches, but nothing game-breaking.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
“I experienced several bugs that disrupted my gameplay.”
