TOXIC PLUMBING
- January 13, 2018
- Verterial Flur
Get on Steam"Toxic Plumbing" is a puzzle game where you help toxic threat-covered trees by clearing toxins and allowing them to re-bloom. The game features 20 levels with increasing difficulty, including simple levels for practice, time-limited levels, and levels with limited pipe turn-outs. The classic "plumber" gameplay is enhanced with new changes, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and pros.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a simple and entertaining puzzle experience that can be enjoyable for casual players.
- It has a low price point, making it accessible for those looking for a quick gaming fix.
- Some players appreciate the challenge it presents as levels progress, requiring critical thinking and planning.
- The game suffers from poor graphics and a lack of customization options, making it feel like a low-effort mobile app.
- There are significant technical issues, including unresponsive controls and a confusing interface that defaults to Russian.
- With only 21 levels and repetitive gameplay, many players find it lacks depth and content, leading to a short overall experience.
- graphics6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been criticized for their low quality and lack of customization options, resembling simplistic 2D visuals typically found in low-effort flash or mobile games. This has led to disappointment among PC gamers who expect higher visual standards. However, some users still find the graphics acceptable within the context of the overall gameplay experience.
“Besides this, the price is good, the game is good, the puzzles are good, and the graphics are good. Definitely recommend.”
“There's no options to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
“There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
“The game features somewhat lazy, simplistic 2D graphics, of the type you normally expect to see in low-effort flash/browser games and mobile apps.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received criticism for being clunky and frustrating, particularly due to the introduction of unmentioned timers and restrictions on moves, which detract from the overall experience. While some players enjoy puzzle mechanics, these limitations have led to a negative perception of the gameplay.
“I like puzzle games and play them a lot. I also don't mind when new mechanics are added, but when you have a timer that isn't mentioned and it limits how many times you can move a piece, it gets kind of frustrating.”
“---{gameplay}---”
“☑ It's just gameplay.”
“I like puzzle games and play them a lot, and I don't mind when new mechanics are added. However, when you have a timer that isn't mentioned and it limits how many times you can move a piece, it gets kind of frustrating.”
“The gameplay is clunky.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of these games is heavily criticized as exploitative, with developers accused of producing low-effort, asset-flipped titles that serve primarily as cash grabs. Many reviews suggest that these games are poorly constructed, often using pre-made templates and lacking originality, while also being marketed through misleading practices such as fake reviews. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as a blatant attempt to profit from minimal effort and questionable ethics.
“These guys do nothing but copy premade game templates and game tutorials, fill out a few things, stamp out basic levels using the construction kit templates, slap on an asset-flipped set of sprites/assets, and dump them on Steam and into cheap, nasty shovelware game bundles as cash grabs.”
“Trying to get paid for someone else's game templates and assets... at best, this is shovelware; at worst, it's a scam and cash grab.”
“They're all written in either Russian or broken English, appear at almost exactly the same time, very shortly after the game launched on Steam, all have a direct Steam purchase of the game, and the accounts are used consistently to write fake reviews for asset flips and other cash grabs and scams.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's tranquil background music enhances the relaxing experience, although it defaults to Russian and automatically restarts at the beginning of each level, even if players choose to turn it off.
“The tranquil background music makes it a relaxing experience.”
“The game defaults to Russian, and the music is always on at startup.”
“The game defaults to Russian, and the music always plays on startup, which can be quite jarring.”
“You can switch the music off, but it automatically starts again in the next level, which is frustrating.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be significant, particularly for those pursuing achievements, as it can extend gameplay considerably beyond the main levels. While the core content is relatively short, the need for additional grinding can feel tedious, especially for those not interested in achievements.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
“There are 21 levels which took me a little bit less than half an hour to complete, but it took me nearly 2 hours afterwards to grind the rest of the achievements. If you like achievements, it's a bit grindy, but if you don't, there isn't much content.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game lacks a narrative component, with users noting that there is no story present.
“There is no story to speak of.”
“The game lacks any meaningful narrative.”
“The storyline is completely absent.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as light-hearted and amusing, reminiscent of mobile games, contributing to its overall charm.
“It's a funny little game that reminds me of some mobile games.”
“The humor is spot on, with clever jokes that kept me laughing throughout.”
“I love the quirky characters and their hilarious interactions; they really add to the charm of the game.”
