The Path of Motus
- July 17, 2018
- Michael Hicks
- 9h median play time
The Path of Motus has a message. I’m just not sure who it’s for.
Will you let other people stop you from pursuing your dreams? The Path of Motus is a game where words hurt.... literally.
Reviews
- The game features a compelling story that explores deep themes such as bullying and perseverance, resonating with players on a personal level.
- The art style and graphics are praised for their beauty, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience.
- The gameplay includes a mix of platforming and puzzle-solving that is both challenging and rewarding, with mechanics that encourage players to think creatively.
- The game is criticized for being too short, with some players feeling that it lacks sufficient content for its price point.
- Some players found the controls to be cramped and less intuitive, particularly when using a keyboard, which could detract from the overall experience.
- The combat mechanics, while engaging, may feel limited to some players, leading to a sense of repetitiveness in gameplay.
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is a heartfelt exploration of personal growth and the pursuit of dreams, featuring a young protagonist named Motus who embarks on a quest despite societal pressures to conform. With engaging graphics and a solid soundtrack, the narrative is enriched by player choices that influence character development and lead to multiple endings, though some find it to be on the shorter side. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its charm and relatability, set against a vibrant, fantastical backdrop.
“It has good graphics, a compelling story, and a nice soundtrack to go along with your journey, and the level design is solid.”
“Now, if you flip it around a little, this is a story about chasing your dreams, not getting put down by others, not giving in to negativity, and not just stopping what you're doing because other people say so.”
“This game is more of a life story than a game.”
“While you go through the story, your player's personality changes in response to your actions, leading to more than one ending, but it's short.”
“These games were bright and cheerful, with friendly characters and extremely simple storylines.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and introduces new mechanics even towards the end, enhancing the experience of overcoming challenges. It combines a relaxing atmosphere with solid mechanics, while also exploring themes of bullying, though some players may find the interpersonal message less appealing. Overall, the gameplay remains enjoyable and unobtrusive.
“Even after you're almost done with the game, it introduces new mechanics to help you overcome challenging obstacles that you had at your disposal all along.”
“A relaxing game that explores the idea of bullying; the art is nice too, and the mechanics feel solid.”
“Even after you're almost done with the game, it introduces new mechanics to pass some troubling obstacles that you had at your disposal all along.”
“Some players may not appreciate the interpersonal message here, but it doesn't get in the way of gameplay.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their quality, complementing a compelling story and solid level design, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“It has good graphics, a compelling story, and a nice soundtrack to go along with your journey, and the level design is solid.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for complementing the compelling story and enhancing the overall experience, with a nice soundtrack that aligns well with the journey and level design.
“It has good graphics, a compelling story, and a nice soundtrack to go along with your journey.”
“The music perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack is incredibly immersive, making every moment in the game feel more impactful.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, providing only a small incentive for players to return, which may not sustain long-term engagement.
“There is a small amount of replay value, but nothing that will keep you engaged for hours on end.”
“Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and outcomes makes replaying feel pointless.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is humorously portrayed through Motus's father's dismissive view of his quest, likening it to the practical choice of a farming career. This reflects a relatable tension between pursuing dreams and adhering to societal expectations, adding depth to the grinding experience.
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through relatable dialogue, such as Motus's father dismissing his quest as a "silly idea" in favor of a practical farming career, which resonates with players' real-life experiences of parental expectations.
“Motus’s father tells him that his quest is a silly idea compared to the practical alternative of pursuing a 'career' in farming, which struck me as humorous but also relatable to real life.”
Critic Reviews
The Path of Motus Review
The Path of Motus is ambitious in what it seeks to communicate about the relationship we often share with games, and includes several notable spins on traditional gaming components of the puzzle platforming genre. But its arguments need to be embedded within a more rigorous gameplay structure if they're to truly land.
60%Mixed Messages
The Path of Motus has a message. I’m just not sure who it’s for.
50%Path of Motus (PC)
Path of Motus is proof of the very concepts it preaches throughout. By using his determination and learning from his previous failures, developer Michael Hicks has been able to finally flesh out the concept he had in his head since 2012. There are still some problems, as the platforming can feel awkwardly stiff at times and the game isn’t the prettiest of titles, but it’s a resounding triumph in teaching an important lesson. Those that finish Path of Motus will find themselves better for the journey and motivated to follow their dreams. That type of reward far surpasses the amount of fun a game can bring.
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