Venineth

About

"Venineth is a single-player Platformer game with compelling exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving in dangerous, distant worlds. Discover over 20 places, including planets, moons, and alien megastructures, with non-linear and linear levels filled with physics-based puzzles. Immerse yourself in the original space-ambient music soundtrack as you unravel the mysteries of ancient alien technology."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 217 reviews

gameplay15 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Stunning visuals and atmospheric design create an immersive experience that captivates players.
Engaging puzzles that require exploration and clever use of momentum mechanics, providing a satisfying challenge.
Unique gameplay that combines elements of platforming and exploration, allowing players to discover and interact with beautifully crafted alien worlds.

Controls can feel sluggish and unresponsive, leading to frustration during precision platforming sections.
The lack of clear direction and occasional vague puzzles can result in players feeling lost or stuck.
Menu interface is confusing and difficult to navigate, detracting from the overall user experience.

gameplay
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
Gameplay in this title is a mixed bag, featuring strong visuals and intriguing puzzles, but marred by janky mechanics and frustrating controls that can alienate players, especially those unfamiliar with marble-rolling games. While some mechanics are intuitive and engaging, others can lead to disorienting experiences and a steep learning curve, resulting in a gameplay experience that oscillates between satisfying and frustrating. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of exploration and puzzle-solving, but its execution may leave some players feeling disconnected from the core mechanics.
- “The way it introduces and synthesizes mechanics over time is just remarkably well designed.”
- “The surreal landscapes, mysterious synth soundtrack, clever puzzle mechanics, and solid gameplay make this a sublime experience.”
- “The momentum mechanics have a bit of a learning curve but there's nothing more satisfying than going max speed and hitting a massive jump.”
- “But the basic mechanics of moving, rolling your ball, and jumping simply don't feel good, and when that is the core of what you do, the whole game obviously undermines the entire experience.”
- “Certain things like water and the white-line mechanic in the second act completely nullify your movement, leaving you stuck bobbing around helplessly if you land the wrong way... very obnoxious, usually forces a reset.”
- “The ball's inertia is far too high and controls nowhere near responsive enough for such gameplay.”
graphics
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
39%
7%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere, often described as breathtaking and reminiscent of early 90s CGI aesthetics. While the art direction and sound design enhance the overall experience, some players report issues with motion sickness and performance, particularly in graphically intense areas. Despite some mechanical frustrations, the visual appeal remains a standout feature that captivates players throughout their exploration of the game's unique worlds.
- “The visuals are gorgeous and the music fits.”
- “Venineth impresses right off the bat with its art direction, graphical fidelity, sound design, ultra-responsive controls, and level designs that vary from open and puzzle-filled to linear and platformer-oriented.”
- “Stunning visuals, spectacular soundtrack, and puzzles that are tricky enough to make you think, but not so obtuse as to frustrate you (with possibly one or two exceptions).”
- “Grainy and blurry graphics due to the game engine's graphic style, ball transformation error due to restarts at respawn points by ball's death, few ambient sound design.”
- “It's very graphically intense and while my GTX 1660 can run it at 1440p, I have to turn down settings all the way so it reaches 60fps and doesn't max out my card.”
- “The game is impossible on low graphics quality.”
music
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
24%
7%
The music in Venineth is widely praised for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, featuring a beautiful ambient soundtrack that complements the game's stunning visuals and enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to create a calming and ethereal atmosphere, making it a standout aspect of the game. However, some players noted occasional issues with music cutting out, which detracted from their enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack plays a huge role as well; one of the best I've ever listened to.”
- “Venineth is a very unique marble rolling game with some of the best graphics I've seen from an indie game, along with really nice atmospheric music and level design that feels surprisingly natural.”
- “The music helps with the immersion and enhances the experience.”
- “The music cut out and it was completely silent; I don't know if that was intentional or not, but the lack of music was really frustrating.”
- “For a game that has so much zen aesthetic and music, you're going to die a lot.”
- “Venineth also seems really old school in its design, for better or for worse - sparse levels, not a lot of hand-holding, and music that almost sounds like it could be in the background.”
atmosphere
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
23%
8%
The atmosphere of Venineth is widely praised for its stunning visuals, ethereal sound design, and immersive environments that create a unique and calming experience. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of exploration and discovery, although some note that frustrating mechanics can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is recognized for its commitment to atmosphere, making it a standout in the genre of atmospheric exploration and puzzle-solving games.
- “I love the space-synth atmosphere.”
- “The beginning of the game (first two stages) is incredible, the puzzles are simple but satisfying, the soundtrack paired with the visuals and the story (or lack thereof) create an immersive, intriguing atmosphere that motivates you to figure out what's going on.”
- “I really wanted to like this game; it reminds me a lot of Exo One (highly recommend) which I loved, but the game fumbles one of its core mechanics, and in a game as 'simple' as this, atmosphere alone isn't enough to counterbalance the scale.”
- “While acknowledging the otherworldly environments and the intoxicating atmosphere.”
- “The general atmosphere of the game is really something I haven't seen in games before; the closest I can compare it to is Naissancee's isolation, though with a sense of discovery and geometric beauty rather than suspense and dread.”
story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
The game's story is abstract and largely open to interpretation, revolving around a marble's journey without traditional narrative elements like dialogue or cutscenes. While some players find the lack of a concrete plot disorienting, others appreciate the immersive atmosphere and emotional undertones conveyed through the game's visuals and music. Ultimately, the experience is more about exploration and the unique environments than a defined storyline, leaving players to derive their own meaning from the journey.
- “Yet there is an emotional journey, and each world feels unique and part of a bigger story/universe.”
- “This game 'feels' like it has lore, story, moods, life, despair, hope, but nothing concrete, factual.”
- “An abstract story about a sphere's journey, told without any sort of text or cutscene.”
- “What passes for a story runs on a strictly zero-context basis, and the entire game in general takes 'show don't tell' to the furthest extreme possible; you just gotta let things roll, really.”
- “This game is a bit unconventional... it lacks much that is generally considered core for modern games: no plot, no characters (unless you consider the player-controlled marble a character), no big story to tell... and, yet, something about it is compelling.”
- “There is no story, no tutorial or even words in the game (or menus), it is a series of puzzle platformer levels where you are a ball rolling around many different worlds, all of them stunning.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing glitches, soft locks, and unclear navigation, while others report a smooth experience without any bugs. Issues such as poor camera angles and dark areas can hinder gameplay, making it frustrating for some. Overall, stability varies significantly among players, with a notable divide between those who find it buggy and those who enjoy a seamless experience.
- “Runs great in every situation.”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance without any noticeable glitches.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, even during intense moments.”
- “There's glitches, soft locks, unclear rules, camera angle issues, a lot of spots where it's too dark to see, a lot of 'where do I go' moments, and occasionally underwhelming audio design.”
- “It's difficult, frustrating, and occasionally even buggy, so I wouldn't recommend it if you don't enjoy that sort of thing, but if you do, it's a unique and unforgettable experience.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be challenging and occasionally tedious, yet ultimately rewarding, especially for those who become immersed in the game world. It is recommended to approach the game in smaller sessions to avoid burnout, as some levels can be lengthy. Overall, the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles and achieving goals keeps players engaged.
- “The difficulty can be harsh, even a bit tedious at times, but it is always rewarding to figure this game out and make progress.”
- “I would recommend playing this in smaller doses rather than in one go, because some levels can be quite long and it can become a bit tedious.”
- “Some people will find this tedious, but if you fall in love with the game world the way I did, you will find it satisfying.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback; while some players report significant performance issues that render it unplayable, others with higher-end specifications experience smooth gameplay without noticeable problems. There is a consensus that further render optimizations are necessary to improve accessibility for a broader audience.
- “It also plays very well; I'll list my specs at the end. I can't remember noticing any performance issues.”
- “Very poor performance, which makes the game unplayable.”
- “That really needs more render optimizations to be accessible to more people.”
- “The only problem I have is the performance.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing mini-games unlocked through collectibles and entertaining physics-based antics, all set against visually appealing landscapes powered by Unreal Engine.
- “If you collect enough items, you unlock a hilarious mini-game!”
- “The landscapes are stunning, and the game features some amusing physics-based antics.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players highlight a significant emotional journey throughout the game, noting that each world contributes uniquely to a larger narrative, enhancing the overall experience.
- “There is an emotional journey, and each world feels unique and part of a bigger story/universe.”
- “The game masterfully evokes a range of emotions, making players truly connect with the characters and their struggles.”
- “Every decision I made felt weighty and impactful, leading to an emotional experience that stayed with me long after I finished playing.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's replayability is generally considered low, with a rating of 4 out of 10, indicating that players find limited incentive to revisit the experience after completing it.
- “The replay value is quite low, around 4 out of 10.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying feel pointless.”