The Eigengrau Menagerie
- June 4, 2015
- Ozzie Sneddon
Get on Steam"The Eigengrau Menagerie" is a point-and-click puzzle adventure game where you play as a young pilgrim seeking out wise beings known as Thoughtforms in the surreal country of Ahmera. With hand-drawn levels, stunning musical scores, and a lore-filled story, this game offers a unique and immersive experience for players. Your goal is to gather information, edit reality, and understand everything in this intriguing world.
Reviews
- The game features unique and interesting puzzle mechanics that elevate the overall experience.
- The art style and atmosphere are charming, creating a memorable and engaging world.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a compelling narrative and thoughtful artistic feeling.
- The game is very short, with gameplay lasting only 20-30 minutes, which may not justify the price for many players.
- The writing and voice acting are often criticized as amateurish and lacking depth, detracting from the overall experience.
- There are technical issues such as jerky transitions and a lack of an options menu, which can hinder gameplay.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highlighted as a standout feature, with some reviewers praising its engaging mechanics and potential for genre-defining experiences. However, others note that while the gameplay is enjoyable and complemented by interesting lore, it may not justify the game's price due to its limited scope. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a redeeming quality, elevating the overall experience despite some shortcomings.
“I would absolutely love to see a bigger game with this mechanic; it's almost good enough to be genre-defining in my book.”
“Fortunately, it recovers with cool gameplay and interesting lore and world.”
“The rest of the game doesn't hold up on its own, I would say, but the gameplay (fittingly) elevates it.”
“The gameplay is simple and straightforward.”
“While this may not help those of us who bought in early, the current price of this game is now more on par for the limited gameplay it offers.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as bold and imposing, contributing to a unique atmosphere, though it can sometimes be overwhelming and repetitive. Reviewers noted issues with sound balance, particularly the voice acting being quieter than the music, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the unconventional and contemplative nature of the soundtrack, others express a desire for clearer audio and more engaging content beyond the brief gameplay.
“The writing is weird, but it fits the game; the delivery, while amateur, is still passionate; the music is imposing, but bold.”
“On the other hand, the game features some unconventional graphics and music, quite a unique setting, and is nice to play if you’re in a contemplative mood.”
“- good music.”
“The music can be a bit overwhelming at times.”
“The music is imposing, but bold.”
“There are only 20 minutes of decent puzzle solving + 20 minutes of fairly nonsensical dialogue (set to repetitive music and a flipbook of 'quirky' art), before you're left with the credits and the unsettling feeling of 'well... guess that's it....'”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game features a short and straightforward story that combines narrative screens with action sequences, creating a unique and somewhat alien atmosphere. While the experience lasts only 1-2 hours, it is engaging enough to feel like a brief but worthwhile read, though some players may find the $8 price point a bit steep for its length. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate concise storytelling.
“I do like the fact that it's very story-based, even if the story is short and simple, but also weird and alien in a good way.”
“The price point for this game, I feel, at the time of writing ($8.00), is a little steep for a short 1-2 hour experience, but the experience is worth it for the brief time you play it, feeling a bit like a good short story you'd be able to pick up in a bookstore.”
“Good atmosphere at specific parts of the story (won't reveal much as to prevent spoilers).”
“The story is pretty straightforward; read the little description and you pretty much got it.”
“I would recommend this game for those who like a short story, if you can personally justify the price.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their beautiful traditional art style and unique aesthetic, contributing to an engaging and contemplative experience. While some may find the price steep for a short game, those interested in its distinctive visuals will likely find it worth exploring.
“The aesthetic is fantastic and the world building, though small, does give details that satisfy my interest.”
“The game features some unconventional graphics and music, creating a unique setting that is nice to play if you’re in a contemplative mood.”
“Beautiful traditional art style.”
“The graphics are quite unconventional and unique, which may appeal to some players, but they might not be for everyone.”
“If you think $3 is too much for such a short game, then wait for a sale, but if the art style interests you, it's definitely worth your time to check out.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is highlighted by its colorful, stylized art that creates a disorienting and surreal experience, particularly during key moments in the story. Players find the presentation to be a significant draw, enhancing immersion throughout the game.
“There is a good atmosphere at specific parts of the story (won't reveal much to prevent spoilers).”
“The main draw is the presentation, with colorful, stylized art that draws the player into its disorienting, surreal atmosphere.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users generally view the grinding aspect as tedious and primarily useful for card farming, indicating a lack of enjoyment in the process.
“This game is only good for card farming.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding for minimal rewards.”
