The Plane Effect

About

The Plane Effect is a single player casual action adventure game with mystery, thriller and science fiction themes. It was developed by Innovina/StudioKiku and was released on September 23, 2021. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

The Plane Effect is a time- and mind-bending adventure where you navigate a surreal, dystopian cityscape overshadowed by a cosmic anomaly. Struggling to find your way home, you solve unusual puzzles in elaborately designed environments while evading a sinister presence. Every step challenges your perception of reality and time.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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61%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

graphics7 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features beautiful art direction and a unique atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
The narrative is intriguing and unfolds in a dreamlike, surreal manner, keeping players engaged.
The puzzles, while challenging, can be rewarding for those who enjoy brain teasers and problem-solving.

Gameplay is hindered by slow movement and clunky controls, making navigation frustrating.
Puzzles often require backtracking and can be counter-intuitive, leading to confusion and a reliance on walkthroughs.
The game suffers from bugs and glitches that can disrupt progress and create additional frustration.

graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
33%
20%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beautiful art style and atmospheric design, with many reviewers noting that the visuals are a core consideration in level design. However, some players feel that while the graphics are appealing, they may detract from gameplay, leading to difficulties in navigation and a lack of intuitive controls. Overall, the visuals receive a mixed response, with some appreciating the aesthetic while others find them insufficiently integrated with gameplay.
- “Unlike many games, it does not feel as if an artist was just asked to throw some pretty graphics on top of a game, but rather that the art was always a core consideration when each of the levels was designed.”
- “I must say, it has really great atmosphere and graphics.”
- “The art style and the minimalist score are beautiful.”
- “Only problem is the graphics; it could be a bit better.”
- “Seems to me like they focused too much on graphics and environment instead of intuitive gameplay and controls.”
- “Orthographic view makes some platformer parts really difficult to read.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it visually appealing but frustratingly convoluted and clunky. The puzzles vary in difficulty, from simple to overly complex, and the controls are not intuitive, leading to a disjointed experience. Additionally, the game's slow pace and numerous bugs detract from the overall enjoyment, making it less suitable for younger audiences.
- “The gameplay is puzzling and somewhat bugged, as it seems to be inspired by many old-style point-and-click adventure games.”
- “Additionally, for little ones, it’s worth noting that this title is very slow, with consistent puzzles and generally slow movement, which may not appeal to younger players in terms of gameplay.”
- “It's very pretty and I really tried to like this game, but I couldn't make sense of the gameplay.”
- “Mechanically speaking, the unveiling of this mystery is done by solving a variety of puzzles which range from downright simplistic to incredibly frustrating.”
- “Seems to me like they focused too much on graphics and environment instead of intuitive gameplay and controls.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The story features a twisted and evolving narrative filled with puzzles and adult themes, evoking strong emotions as players navigate a bizarre world. While some players found the initial setup confusing, many reported becoming invested in the plot's development, particularly as it took unexpected sci-fi turns. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some appreciating the depth and intrigue, while others struggled to connect with the storyline.
- “There are a number of puzzles to solve, and a twisted and constantly evolving storyline, as you solve constant puzzles to navigate through a bizarre world.”
- “Tl;dr - after 3 hours, I am invested in the story and dying to find out the rest.”
- “The story here starts with a montage of our main man, who smiles way more than any person should, to the point where I started to wonder if he is the serial killer.”
- “The story takes some weird sci-fi turns, and after almost 3 hours, I have an idea of what’s going on, and only the faintest guess as to how it will end.”
- “I dunno what to think about the 'story.' I think I didn't get it, so nothing to say about it, but the gameplay???”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality, featuring beautiful themes and well-crafted incidental cues that enhance the overall experience. Players with backgrounds in math, science, or music particularly appreciate the thoughtful application of musical concepts. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “Anyone with a math, science, or music background will find some of these to be fun applications of age-old concepts which they were very likely presented with in school.”
- “Good game and good music.”
- “Beautiful indie game, music is brilliant.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning graphics, beautiful artwork, and immersive audio, creating a captivating world that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the variety of environments that contribute to the game's unique ambiance, although some feel that the gameplay itself may not match the atmospheric quality.
- “The game is superb, it takes you into a world with an exclusive atmosphere.”
- “You'll visit a fair number of different environments on your journey home, some of which you might anticipate but a lot you likely won't, and each brings some nice atmosphere to your time in the game.”
- “Fantastic atmosphere.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Many users find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow and tedious, particularly as they progress through the content.
- “However, I'm only about 2/3 through, and it very often feels incredibly slow and tedious.”
- “The grinding in this game is mind-numbing and feels like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- “I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which makes the game feel more like a job than a fun pastime.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky, comedic character known as the "funny man with glasses," who adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the gameplay experience.
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever writing and hilarious character interactions.”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and absurd situations the characters found themselves in.”
- “The game's humor is perfectly timed, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's stability is marred by frequent clipping errors and visual glitches, which detract from the overall experience. While not critically broken, it could benefit from additional polish to enhance its performance.
- “Sadly, the draw of these does wear off fairly soon, and with a good number of clipping errors and visual glitches (outside the ones you are meant to find). While it’s not awful, this one could use some more polish.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it frustrating to progress.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience, which really detracted from the overall enjoyment.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players often describe "Inside" as evoking a unique and unsettling emotional response, highlighting its ability to create a sense of unease and introspection. This emotional depth is a key aspect of the game's impact, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience it.
- “Inside was one of the first indie games I ever played, and it made me feel... weird.”