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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features unique and interesting puzzle mechanics that elevate the overall experience.
- The art style and aesthetic are charming, creating a compelling atmosphere that draws players in.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a memorable narrative and world-building that can leave players wanting more.
- The game is very short, with a playtime of only 20-30 minutes, which may not justify the price for many players.
- The writing and voice acting are often criticized as amateurish, detracting from the overall experience.
- There are significant issues with gameplay mechanics, such as jerky transitions and a lack of consequences for failure in puzzles.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highlighted as a standout feature, with some reviewers praising its innovative mechanics and potential for genre-defining experiences. However, others note that while the gameplay is engaging, it may not justify the game's price, especially given its simplicity and limited scope. Overall, the gameplay elevates the experience, but opinions vary on its overall value.
“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 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.”
“The rest of the game doesn't hold up on its own, I would say, but the gameplay (fittingly) elevates it.”
- music14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as bold and imposing, creating a unique atmosphere that complements its unconventional graphics. However, it can be overwhelming at times, and issues with sound balance detract from the experience, as voice acting is significantly quieter than the music. Overall, while the music is appreciated, players express a desire for clearer audio separation to fully enjoy the compositions.
“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 graphic and music, quite 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.”
“Some grammar issues in the text (particularly the overcompensating use of 'whom') and sound balance problems (the voice acting is much quieter than the music, with no way to adjust it).”
“I'd like to hear the songs proper themselves without voices in the way.”
- story14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % 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 likened to a brief but engaging short story, though some players feel the $8 price point is a bit high 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.”
“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.”
“Good atmosphere at specific parts of the story (won't reveal much as to prevent spoilers).”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their beautiful traditional art style and unique aesthetic, contributing to an engaging world despite its small scale. Players find the unconventional visuals and music enhance the contemplative experience, making it worthwhile for those interested in its artistic approach.
“The aesthetic is fantastic and the world building, though small, does give details that satisfy my interest.”
“Beautiful traditional art style.”
“If the art style interests you, it's definitely worth your time to check out.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highlighted by its colorful, stylized art that creates a disorienting and surreal experience, particularly effective in key story moments. Players appreciate how the presentation enhances immersion, drawing them deeper into the narrative.
“The main draw is the presentation, with colorful, stylized art that draws the player into its disorienting, surreal atmosphere.”
“Good atmosphere at specific parts of the story (won't reveal much as to prevent spoilers).”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with the grinding aspect, indicating that it is primarily useful for card farming rather than providing an enjoyable gameplay experience.
“This game is only good for card farming.”
“The grinding feels tedious and unfulfilling.”
“I spent hours grinding, but it just felt like a chore.”
