What Lies in the Multiverse

What Lies in the Multiverse is an enjoyable story-driven affair with well-designed characters and puzzles that strike the perfect balance between fun and challenging. This is one title that’s definitely worth checking out.

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In "What Lies in the Multiverse," experience a story-driven puzzle platformer with gravity-defying transformations across diverse pixel-art worlds. Switch realities on the fly to turn pitfalls into pathways, and encounter a memorable cast of quirky characters in this reality-bending adventure. Just be careful not to believe everything Everett tells you.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 179 reviews

story76 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Engaging story with emotional depth and humor that resonates with players.
Beautiful pixel art and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
Clever puzzle mechanics that are fun and varied, keeping gameplay interesting throughout.

Puzzles can be too easy and straightforward, lacking challenge for experienced players.
Excessive dialogue and cutscenes that are non-skippable can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Some players experienced bugs and issues with level design that hindered their enjoyment.

story
137 mentions
55 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth, humor, and engaging characters, often described as a heartfelt blend of lightheartedness and darker themes. Players appreciate the intricate narrative woven into the gameplay, with many noting its ability to evoke strong feelings and memorable moments. However, some critiques mention pacing issues and unresolved plot points, suggesting that while the story is compelling, it could benefit from tighter execution.
- “The story is spectacular.”
- “The story is a mix of humor and some really dark themes, which really draws you into the story.”
- “This game has an incredible story with great pacing, comedy, and characters.”
- “The story is fine, the humor is pretty stock, but the most annoying thing is how many dialog breaks there are and how many times you have to press enter to get to the next piece of dialog.”
- “I loved the prologue demo with all the little mechanics that it introduced and its nice pace, but now that I can't really take the story seriously, I think I'd have preferred playing only the demo rather than the whole game.”
- “My few criticisms with the game have to do with certain aspects of the narrative that I think could have been handled better, in particular, some of the tone shifts feel very abrupt and somewhat pointless in the grand scheme of the story (like the game gets surprisingly dark at some point, but there isn't any proper payoff for it and it happens very abruptly with the game not giving you enough time to take some of it in), also the ending kind of felt like it came out of nowhere.”
gameplay
45 mentions
64 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by engaging puzzle mechanics that revolve around time manipulation and switching between different timelines, providing a unique and enjoyable experience. While many players appreciate the variety of mechanics introduced in each chapter and the light-hearted humor, some find the gameplay to be slow-paced and occasionally tedious, with certain bugs detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game successfully combines fun mechanics, a charming story, and appealing visuals, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of puzzle platformers.
- “Great art, cool story, a nice dose of humor, and well thought puzzles around an interesting main mechanic.”
- “The central mechanic is based on switching between the present, past, and future on a moment-to-moment basis to solve puzzles, pick up collectibles, and advance the story.”
- “Yes, this game is filled with puzzles... and there's no action or combat, but the puzzles are light, fun, and each level adds new mechanics that keeps them fresh and interesting.”
- “Had some annoying bugs throughout my gameplay as well.”
- “The new mechanics introduced in each stage do absolutely nothing to make the puzzles any more fun to solve, making many of the segments between cutscenes a slog.”
- “Ok the story is decent, with some great comedic moments and a few cool dark touches early on, but the actual puzzles & gameplay are glacially slow and tedious to play, and the dialogue becomes absolute waffle during the final chapter.”
music
41 mentions
51 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its thematic depth and ability to enhance the overall experience, with tracks that adapt to the different worlds visited. Reviewers praised the soundtrack for being both captivating and relaxing, seamlessly integrating with the pixel art and narrative to create a cohesive atmosphere. Many noted the impressive sound design and the emotional impact of the music, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The music changed slightly for each of the worlds we visited, and fit the themes for those worlds perfectly!”
- “The music is both relaxing and captivating at the same time.”
- “I loved the looks of the game from beginning to end, and together with the music, they did an amazing job of setting the mood of the game.”
- “I can't tell for sure if the music is truly dynamic, and if the track is the same in both universes of the same level, but composed and stylized differently.”
- “The music didn't especially resonate with me (I'm quite into deeper music theory), but it definitely did the job.”
- “The music is similar but has minor differences that help match the unique theme of each universe.”
humor
40 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and ability to balance lighthearted moments with darker themes, often eliciting genuine laughter and emotional responses from players. While some reviews note that the humor can be somewhat stock or inconsistent, many appreciate the witty dialogue and engaging character interactions that enhance the overall narrative experience. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with a compelling story, making it a standout in the platformer genre.
- “Clever platformer with a dark and quirky sense of humor.”
- “While playing this game and reading the dialogues, I burst out laughing at many moments, and some honestly brought tears to my eyes.”
- “The writing is very humorous, and the pixel art is crisp and pretty to look at.”
graphics
18 mentions
83 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style and well-crafted environments, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals and fitting music, creating an engaging atmosphere that complements the story. While the game appeals to a specific demographic, its artistic presentation and visual storytelling are standout features that contribute significantly to its charm.
- “Very pretty visuals, fairly challenging puzzles, lovely story.”
- “The graphics, though being pixelated, are very nice, and the environment is well-built.”
- “Clever puzzle platformer with gorgeous pixel graphics and a story that keeps ya hooked!”
- “In the end, the main reason to play through this game is the story and cutscenes, but because that's pretty much the whole experience, this game appeals the most to a specific demographic: those who were drawn in by my second paragraph, but would also feel bad if they just watched it on YouTube or Twitch.”
- “It's hard to explain without visuals.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players highlighting its heartfelt storytelling and impactful dialogues that evoke strong feelings, even leading some to tears. The combination of engaging gameplay and a touching narrative creates a memorable experience that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout title in the platformer genre.
- “What Lies in the Multiverse has got to be the best platformer game, and the dialogues and story almost made me cry. It is a truly amazing puzzle and strategy that makes it incredible when put together.”
- “It's honestly a fun platformer with a heartfelt message; if you get the chance, play it.”
- “This game is a heartfelt love letter to storytelling and video games as a whole for me personally.”
grinding
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to excessive dialogue that detracts from the gameplay experience. While the story has its moments, the slow-paced puzzles and overwhelming narrative can make the game feel laborious, especially for those not invested in the genre.
- “Past the start of the game, it becomes a combination of very easy and very tedious, which you may understand as 'the worst thing a puzzle can possibly be.'”
- “There was so much tedious and unnecessary dialogue that takes up over half of the game.”
- “The actual puzzles and gameplay are glacially slow and tedious to play, and the dialogue becomes absolute waffle during the final chapter.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its rich, immersive qualities, featuring stunning graphics, a nuanced cast, and a blend of humor and depth that enhances the storytelling. Players appreciate the creative puzzle mechanics intertwined with a world filled with secrets and easter eggs, making it a captivating experience for fans of pixel art sidescrollers. Overall, the stellar sound design further elevates the game's atmospheric appeal.
- “Underneath the creative puzzle mechanics, a rich atmosphere filled with secrets and easter eggs, a lovable and nuanced cast, and genuinely funny story sequences lies a tale of the indomitable human spirit in the face of nihilism.”
- “The atmosphere and sound are absolutely stellar.”
- “The graphics are so good and the atmospheres are so beautiful.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the beautiful pixel art, the overall atmosphere fails to evoke any real emotion or connection.”
- “The game’s atmosphere is inconsistent, often shifting abruptly and leaving players feeling disoriented rather than engaged.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Replayability is significantly hindered by the presence of unskippable story cutscenes, which make up a third of the game, discouraging players from replaying it.
- “A third of the game consists of unskippable story cutscenes, which significantly hampers replayability if you were interested in playing again.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to replay it since the story doesn't change and the gameplay feels repetitive.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and different outcomes makes replaying the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users have noted some stability issues, including bugs that can render characters unresponsive, particularly during certain gameplay elements like poison effects. Despite these drawbacks, the overall experience remains positive, with many still recommending the game.
- “I wasn't a fan of the poison mechanic; it was my least favorite part of the whole game. It was also a bit buggy at times, where my character couldn't do anything at all.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its diverse character designs and thoughtful integration of music and environmental elements, which collectively reflect the characters' moods and backgrounds, showcasing the developers' attention to detail and care in crafting a rich narrative experience.
- “From the diverse character designs to the music, and even how the backgrounds of the sprites change color depending on the tone or mood of the character, there was always something that demonstrated the care put into this game.”
- “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
- “I love how the choices I make impact the characters' growth and relationships, making every decision feel meaningful.”