Trans Neuronica Prelude

Winner of the second place of gamedev competition on Revision 2023! Connect nodes but keep paths separate. Vast subversion of the classic numberlink. This is a prelude to the upcoming full release of Trans Neuronica. It's a demo but also a standalone piece that contextualizes and muddles the story of the main game. Wishlist the main game on Steam now! If the web version fails to load disable Pri…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

61%

Audience ScoreBased on 19 reviews

music4 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features well-designed puzzles that are enjoyable and require logic and sharp thinking.
The soundtrack is excellent and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
The game shows promise for future content, with the potential for more levels and mechanics as it is still in Early Access.

The game currently lacks sufficient puzzle content, with many zones having very few puzzles available.
Timed boss stages can be frustrating and may detract from the overall experience, especially since their mechanics are unclear.
The story elements feel unnecessary and confusing, which may distract from the main focus on puzzles.

gameplay
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of puzzle mechanics that, while enjoyable and varied, can feel underdeveloped and occasionally tedious, particularly with the core mechanic of destroying placed lines. Some players appreciate the introduction of multi-stage levels that require strategic reconfiguration, though the inclusion of timed levels may detract from the overall experience for those who prefer a more thoughtful approach. Overall, the game offers a fresh take on classic numberlink gameplay, but it is still in early development with limited content.
- “I enjoyed the variety of puzzles and mechanics on display; despite the simplicity of the underlying gameplay, there are enough variations on classic numberlink gameplay to make the game feel fresh.”
- “One mechanic in particular I enjoyed is that some levels will progress through different stages as you connect terminals, unlocking new spaces on the board and requiring you to reconfigure the connections you just made (without breaking them!) to make space for the additional paths you now need to draw between new terminals.”
- “However, this is very much a matter of personal taste, and this level also makes up only one level out of 60; I can very well imagine that other players will appreciate its inclusion as something to give a bit of variety to the gameplay.”
- “The last mechanic introduced was only used in one puzzle!”
- “Not only were their mechanics hazy, it was also unclear if I needed to succeed at them to unlock more content.”
- “Destroying lines that you've placed is such a core part of the gameplay and yet it feels so tedious to do.”
story
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's story, while integrated and engaging, is considered incomplete and somewhat unclear, serving more as a prologue than a full narrative. Many players appreciate the effort to include a storyline, but they feel it is not essential to the gameplay and hope for further development in future updates. Overall, the story does not detract from the well-executed puzzles, but its current state leaves players wanting more clarity and content.
- “Game gives the impression that there will be more levels and storylines added in the future!”
- “Though the story doesn't take center stage in this early version of the game, the narrative that is present so far seems engaging and well-written, while avoiding overstaying its welcome.”
- “I do wish the Steam page were slightly clearer about the state of the early access; the statement that the game currently 'delivers the full storyline', for instance, seems incorrect, as what is currently here feels more like a prologue.”
- “Kudos to the developer for integrating a story into this, but I must agree with other comments that it's neither necessary nor really understandable what is actually going on. However, it's just a small part of the game and does not distract from the puzzles, which are really well done.”
- “The story is not finished in the context presented in the game world.”
- “I do wish the Steam page were slightly clearer about the state of early access; the statement that the game currently 'delivers the full storyline' seems incorrect, as what is currently here feels more like a prologue.”
music
5 mentions
80 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many describing it as a standout feature. However, some players note that the limited variety, with only one track per stage, can become repetitive, especially during challenging sections. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the game's experience.
- “The soundtrack is great too!”
- “A neat, short puzzle game with a wonderful soundtrack and atmosphere.”
- “The game's aesthetics are also outstanding, with the soundtrack being a particular highlight.”
graphics
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their pleasant aesthetics, though some users feel the background visuals could be improved. Additionally, the game offers options to disable animations for players who find them distracting, while the soundtrack is noted as a standout feature.
- “I will add that graphically, it is very pleasant, and it also features some options to disable animations for those who find the backgrounds distracting.”
- “The game's aesthetics are also outstanding, with the soundtrack being a particular highlight.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its captivating soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience, contributing to a delightful and engaging environment for players.
- “A neat, short puzzle game with a wonderful soundtrack and atmosphere.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, as the core mechanic of destroying placed lines can become monotonous over time.
- “Destroying lines that you've placed is such a core part of the gameplay, and yet it feels so tedious to do.”
- “The grinding in this game is mind-numbing; it feels like I'm just going through the motions without any real reward.”
- “I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over again, and it quickly becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”