"Traverser" is a single-player action game with impressive graphics and an intriguing plot. As a new Traverser, explore the divided city of Brimstone, once humanity's last bastion after the sun's demise, and reveal Raven Corporation's sinister secrets. Utilize the Gravity Glove to manipulate objects, navigate through dangerous environments, and traverse between upper and lower cities via Flip Stations, all while exposing the hidden truths.
The game features a unique and visually appealing steampunk art style that enhances the overall experience.
The story is engaging and offers an interesting premise, with immersive world-building and good voice acting.
The gravity glove mechanic, while occasionally frustrating, adds a layer of creativity to puzzle-solving and gameplay.
The controls are often clunky and can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, particularly during platforming and puzzle sections.
The game is relatively short, with many players feeling that it ends abruptly or lacks sufficient content.
Puzzles can be overly simplistic and repetitive, failing to provide a satisfying challenge for players.
story
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
54%
6%
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it rushed, clichéd, and lacking depth, often feeling strung along from one plot point to the next without sufficient development. While some appreciated the intriguing setting and character dynamics, others criticized the narrative for being shallow and predictable, suggesting that it could have benefited from more time to flesh out its themes and plot. Overall, the game presents an interesting premise but struggles to deliver a cohesive and engaging story experience.
“I was more excited about the story at the end than I expected at the beginning.”
“This game is rich in character and story; the game keeps you engaged from the very beginning. Buy the game, test it for 30 minutes, if you like the first 30 minutes, you're going to love the rest of the game as well.”
“The story is interesting, dark, yet humorous.”
“The story is rushed and stumbling over itself and ends in just dumb nonsense.”
“You're strung from one plot point to the next, never really being given a chance to process or even care about what's happening in the story.”
“A huge third disappointment was the story itself.”
gameplay
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
74%
7%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of charming aesthetics and simple mechanics, primarily revolving around a gravity glove that allows for puzzle-solving and traversal. While some players appreciate the engaging physics-based elements and the unique world design, many criticize the mechanics for being underdeveloped, leading to frustrating experiences with collision issues and a lack of depth in gameplay progression. Overall, the game offers a short but visually appealing experience, though it may disappoint those seeking more complex and challenging gameplay.
“This game is absolutely fantastic, and is definitely a hidden gem when it comes to platformers, with a significant difficulty curve near the end, similar to Cat Quest, with very interesting physics-based mechanics, a bit like an early precursor to A Hat in Time, definitely worth a look!”
“The class war backstory is light but engrossing, the charming world of gravity-defying steampunk architecture is beautifully made, the mechanics are always entertaining, the puzzles are only occasionally challenging but make varied use of the physics, and the soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a while.”
“Short but intense (like 5-6 hours) puzzle game with good gameplay and lovely art.”
“The power glove mechanic is frustrating, especially due to the floaty nature of it, the high sensitivity, and the awful POV problems.”
“Moreover, they provide a challenge only because of poor game mechanics.”
“Traverser boasts a fascinating world and an interesting premise, but the game's overly simplistic gameplay and lack of challenge prevent it from living up to its full potential.”
graphics
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
40%
5%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their unique and appealing art style, often described as a blend of steampunk and quirky aesthetics. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and atmospheric presentation, although some note that the gameplay elements may not live up to the graphical quality. Overall, the game's design is considered a strong point, contributing to an enjoyable experience despite some criticisms regarding controls and gameplay depth.
“The art style of this game is definitely unique, bringing about a futuristic steampunk-ish meets the 1920s feel.”
“The game is quite a looker, with a great art style that capitalizes on the game's low poly look.”
“I love the graphics, the story, the female main character, the creepy and scary world that everything is set in and the voice acting, which I really appreciate.”
“The aesthetic is very pretty and the world seems interesting, but otherwise this game just falls short on most of the gameplay elements.”
“I truly like the graphics; they are in 3D but with some 2D objects.”
“Gatling Goat's Traverser isn’t being shy with its steampunk aesthetic.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it generally pleasant and fitting for the game's atmosphere, particularly praising the soundtrack as one of the best they've heard in a while. While some describe the music as decent and appropriate, others highlight its ability to enhance the game's steampunk environment and emotional depth. Overall, the music contributes positively to the experience, though it may not stand out for everyone.
“The class war backstory is light but engrossing, the charming world of gravity-defying steampunk bizarrchitecture is beautifully made, the mechanics are always entertaining, the puzzles are only occasionally challenging but make varied use of the physics, and the soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a while.”
“The actors portray emotions and character, while the ambient sounds and subtle music add to the game's well-developed environment, all of which are stylized in a wonderfully steampunk manner.”
“The music was appropriate, nothing special.”
“The mood of the game is only properly established through the traverser's eccentric, melancholy soundtrack.”
“[some ambiguous moments, trial-and-error solutions, soundtrack doesn't stand out]”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively blends dark themes with humor, featuring quirky objects that encourage playful interactions and laughter. Its steampunk aesthetic complements the goofy elements, reminiscent of titles like Deponia, providing a unique mix of serious and lighthearted moments that keeps players engaged.
“As you progress throughout the game, you find funny and rather crazy objects that offer the possibilities to goof around, and it will undoubtedly make you crack up and smile like the kid you are.”
“The dark, steampunky setting mixes perfectly with the goofy, humorous elements, similarly to Deponia.”
“The mix of humor and serious circumstances adds variety to the experience.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its appealing graphics and intriguing backstory, creating an immersive experience. However, many players feel that the controls detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of wasted potential in what could have been a memorable adventure.
“Atmospheric game with nice graphics.”
“Despite having an enticing backstory and atmosphere, Traverser falls short of creating a truly memorable adventure.”
“Although the game has a nice atmosphere, complete with a gravity manipulation glove for puzzles, Traverser can get weighted down with wasted potential.”
“Seemingly good story and atmosphere, but the controls are super annoying.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviews indicate a mixed emotional response, with some players feeling a strong connection to the story's potential, particularly regarding its ending, while others found the narrative lacking and unengaging. Overall, the emotional impact seems to hinge on the perceived unfinished nature of the story.
“The ending made me feel really strongly that there was more planned and just never got made.”
“Very boring story, and the story is all this game had going for it.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to widely spaced save points, which require them to replay entire scenes upon dying. This repetitive cycle can lead to frustration as they are forced to repeat the same tasks multiple times.
“The save points were also too spread out, so I had to restart a whole scene, which can be tedious.”
“If you die, you have to do it all over again, and it can get tedious as you have to do the same thing over and over.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The game offers some replayability through hidden secrets and bots to eliminate in each level, but many players express a desire for a sequel, indicating that the current content may not be sufficient to sustain long-term interest.
“The game offers great replayability with hidden secrets and bots to eliminate in each level, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.”
“There are plenty of hidden secrets and challenges in each level that enhance the replayability, making you want to come back for more.”
“With various hidden elements and objectives in every level, the game ensures a high level of replayability that keeps players invested.”
“It has some replayability with hidden secrets and bots to eliminate per level, but I'd much rather have a Traverser 2, to be honest.”