The Prism

About

"The Prism" is a 2D puzzle platformer starring pixels 02 and 03, who must escape a living, watching prison. Featuring local multiplayer, players will face challenging puzzles and environments, relying on each other to progress. With dangerous obstacles and a cruel world, success requires risk and teamwork.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

59%

Audience ScoreBased on 74 reviews

music7 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The art style, music, and atmosphere of the game are amazing, creating a strong emotional experience.
The game features clever puzzles that can be challenging and engaging, especially when played with a friend.
Despite its flaws, the game offers a unique concept of controlling two characters simultaneously, which adds an interesting twist to the gameplay.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and technical issues, including soft locks and unresponsive controls, which significantly detract from the experience.
Many players find the gameplay repetitive and uninspired, with some levels feeling like filler rather than meaningful challenges.
The lack of online co-op and poor menu options make the game less enjoyable, especially for those expecting a more polished experience.

music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
47%
16%
The music in the game is frequently praised for its ability to create a calming and immersive atmosphere, complementing the beautiful art style and visuals. While some reviews note that the soundtrack is basic or lacks variety, many highlight its effectiveness in enhancing the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the combination of music and art significantly contributes to the game's tranquil ambiance.
- “The ambiance of the game is definitely the best part, the maps were well done and the music added to the tranquil pixel puzzler experience.”
- “What makes this game really fun to play is the great atmosphere that's created with the looks of the environment in addition to the music which work together very well.”
- “The music and artwork create a very calm atmosphere, with beautiful environments.”
- “Just filling noises/no music.”
- “Audio was on the okay side, just ambient style music and no sound effects.”
- “And since the only thing the game offers is platforming and story, the music, etc. is just basic; there is really no reason to play it.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful art style and atmospheric visuals that create a calming experience, while others criticize the low resolution and simplistic retro pixel art that feels outdated. Overall, the soundtrack and visual elements are appreciated, but the menu design and lack of character in the graphics detract from the overall experience.
- “In terms of atmospheric voxel artwork and chill backing tracks, [i]prism[/i] hits most of the right notes.”
- “Great art style and atmosphere.”
- “The beautiful art style, atmosphere and music are incredible.”
- “The trailer makes it look extremely high graphics, but when you play it, it's at like a 480p level.”
- “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “The art style is at least clean, but it is simple and really has no character or flavor.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game's story is described as sparse and basic, with some players finding it difficult to engage with or comprehend. However, others appreciate its subtlety, noting that it conveys a deeper emotional narrative about two characters seeking freedom while being observed by a mysterious entity. Overall, opinions on the story's depth and impact vary significantly among players.
- “The game itself tells a subtle story about two simple characters that are looking to gain their freedom, while being watched by a being called the prism.”
- “The story tells itself in a subtle way, explaining what has happened before and who the characters are.”
- “The overall story is quite simple, yet really deep and emotional.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “There is a storyline, but it was too sparse for me to care or comprehend.”
- “And since the only thing the game offers is platforming, and the story, music, etc. are just basic, there is really no reason to play it.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
11%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning art style, calming music, and immersive environments, which work harmoniously to create a captivating experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the beautiful voxel artwork and chill backing tracks as key elements that enhance the overall ambiance, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “In terms of atmospheric voxel artwork and chill backing tracks, [i]prism[/i] hits most of the right notes.”
- “What makes this game really fun to play is the great atmosphere that's created with the looks of the environment in addition to the music which work together very well.”
- “The music and artwork create a very calm atmosphere, with beautiful environments.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring a variety of mechanics that are introduced gradually to maintain player engagement without overwhelming them. While the constantly changing mechanics and colorful environments enhance the experience, some players find the fluctuating difficulty and puzzle design to be frustrating at times. Overall, the gameplay is described as simple yet challenging, making it compelling despite its issues.
- “A lot of different mechanics are introduced but thankfully kept separate as to not overload my brain.”
- “Though it has its fair share of issues, the game takes an otherwise average pixel platformer and manages to make it compelling by using constantly changing mechanics and colorful biomes to match.”
- “Along the way, you'll learn how to use both in concert to cross chasms, toggle switches, and adapt to a wide range of mechanics that switch every 5-10 stages.”
- “The attempt to cram so many mechanics into bite-sized chunks will constantly grab your attention, though it can lead to frustration with its fluctuating difficulty.”
- “I wish I could say the same for the gameplay and puzzle design.”
- “Though it has its fair share of issues, the prism takes an otherwise average pixel platformer and manages to make it compelling by use of constantly changing mechanics and colorful biomes to match.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and unpolished controls that detract from the overall experience. Many find the gameplay frustratingly repetitive and plagued by technical issues, making it difficult to enjoy.
- “It's buggy, it's boring, it's more of the same.”
- “Escaping a prison (for pixels) has never been more pleasing and buggy to experience.”
- “Totally buggy and unpolished controls, too many bugs for the game to still be enjoyable.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Users generally find the game to be highly replayable, with many describing it as infinitely or nearly infinitely replayable, suggesting a strong incentive to return to the game for multiple playthroughs.
- “The game is infinitely replayable, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
- “I find myself coming back to this game time and time again; the replayability is outstanding!”
- “Every run feels fresh and exciting, making it a game I can play endlessly.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted to be somewhat overshadowed by the criticism of its pricing, suggesting that while there are comedic elements, they may not be enough to elevate the overall experience.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's story, while straightforward, resonates deeply with players, evoking strong emotional responses and leaving a lasting impact.
- “The overall story is quite simple, yet really deep and emotional.”