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Whispers of a Machine

Whispers of a Machine is a puzzling enigma, a fascinating story, and a bit of an ugly beast, but well worth your time.
86%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
94% User Score Based on 1,310 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

iPadiPadiPhiPhoneMOMac OSPCPCPhoPhoneWinWindowsAndAndroidMPMobile PlatformTabTablet
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About

Whispers of a Machine is a futuristic, sci-fi inspired adventure game. As a special agent with cybernetic abilities, players must solve a series of murders in a secluded town while exploring a rich, branching narrative. The game features a unique choice and consequence system, where your decisions can alter the course of the story and your own character development.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
Whispers of a Machine screenshot
+4

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,318 reviews
story518 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • The art style is visually appealing and reminiscent of classic point-and-click games.
  • Engaging story with interesting characters and multiple endings based on player choices.
  • Innovative gameplay mechanics involving augmentations that change how puzzles are solved.
  • The game is relatively short, taking only about 4-6 hours to complete.
  • Some puzzles can be frustratingly obtuse, requiring external guides to solve.
  • The lack of a manual save feature forces players to replay the entire game to explore different endings.
  • story
    1,094 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Whispers of a Machine" is a compelling blend of cyberpunk and detective elements, following the augmented detective Vera as she investigates a series of murders in a post-apocalyptic world. While the narrative is engaging and features intriguing themes about technology and morality, some players found it predictable and noted that the character development and world-building could have been deeper. Overall, the game offers a well-paced story with meaningful choices that impact gameplay, though some felt it could benefit from a longer and more intricate plot.

    • “The storyline is rich and compelling, with well-written dialogue and deep character development that makes you care about the outcome.”
    • “This is a very well-written story, with twists and turns around every corner to keep you hooked onto its plot.”
    • “The story and mystery are both really good, followed by excellent voice acting.”
    • “The story is subpar, in my opinion, due to how short the game is, but the endings you get here depend on your personality - how you select dialogues when prompted.”
    • “The game is just riddled with plot holes and inconsistencies.”
    • “The story didn't really go where I expected it to - not because it was filled with unexpected twists, but because nothing was really established concretely.”
  • gameplay
    366 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Whispers of a Machine" is a blend of classic point-and-click mechanics enhanced by innovative features like cybernetic augmentations that influence puzzle-solving and character interactions. While the game offers engaging puzzles and a compelling narrative, some players feel that the mechanics are underutilized and could have been explored more deeply. Overall, the game is praised for its unique approach and replayability, though it occasionally suffers from standard puzzle design and a lack of player agency.

    • “The gameplay is nice and easy, for the most part, the graphics are the good kind of pixel art, and the music gets the job done.”
    • “An engrossing story, innovative mechanics, and charming presentation make Whispers of a Machine a title you really shouldn’t miss.”
    • “I love the detective tools, which allow you to scan for forensic evidence, certain DNA signatures and monitor a person's biometrics; it's a nice extra layer of gameplay that a lot of point and clicks lack.”
    • “The gameplay drags the experience down quite a bit.”
    • “Although the gameplay mechanics feel pretty underdeveloped, the narrative side was good enough that I found the experience overall enjoyable and memorable.”
    • “The gameplay system has no real freedom.”
  • graphics
    205 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are primarily characterized by a well-executed pixel art style that evokes nostalgia while effectively complementing the game's atmosphere and story. While many players appreciate the beautiful character portraits and immersive world-building, some critiques highlight inconsistencies in background artwork and a general lack of detail in certain areas. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong aspect of the game, enhancing the engaging narrative and voice acting.

    • “The hand-painted art style, combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, creates a moody and immersive environment that perfectly complements the game's tone.”
    • “The pixel graphics look nice, the voice acting is decent, most of the puzzles make sense, and the world is interesting.”
    • “It's a beautiful experience, marrying a compelling story to a wonderfully reminiscent aesthetic of yesteryear and a haunting soundtrack.”
    • “My only criticism is in regards to the artwork, which is uneven - some backgrounds are simply lacking.”
    • “The graphics are pretty terrible, but you can highlight interactive items, which helps.”
    • “The use of ugly, obsolete retro pixel graphics here is both inexplicable and unacceptable.”
  • music
    153 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Whispers of a Machine" is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the game's immersive experience. Reviewers note that the soundtrack, while sometimes described as minimalist or not particularly memorable, fits well with the game's post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk themes, contributing to the overall mood and storytelling. Many players found the music soothing and evocative, making it a significant aspect of the game's appeal.

    • “The hand-painted art style, combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, creates a moody and immersive environment that perfectly complements the game's tone.”
    • “It's a beautiful experience, marrying a compelling story to a wonderfully reminiscent aesthetic of yesteryear and a haunting soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful and super atmospheric!”
    • “The soundtrack is fine, it didn’t stand out too much but it was nice enough.”
    • “The setting seems a bit disjointed at first, with the dialogue, music and events not really matching the premise, but it works well enough and they are good.”
    • “The pairing of the art and music created a bleak, melancholy backdrop that hinted of a much bigger world of which this murder mystery was but one small story.”
  • replayability
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a notable level of replayability, primarily due to its multiple endings and the ability to approach puzzles differently based on the augmentations and character traits players choose. While some reviewers noted the game's short length may limit replay interest, many appreciated the variety of choices and paths available, encouraging multiple playthroughs to fully experience the narrative and gameplay mechanics. Overall, it stands out in the point-and-click genre for its replay value, despite some criticisms regarding the depth of content in each playthrough.

    • “The multiple endings and different puzzle solutions based on player choices add replay value and further emphasize the complexity of the AI debate.”
    • “The ability to choose different approaches based on Vera's augmentations adds a layer of depth and replayability.”
    • “With its multiple styled paths the main character can take, it even adds a rare form of replayability to the title.”
    • “There isn't much of replayability apart from changes in dialogue and a few interactions - the story is the same.”
    • “The main downside is that it's a fairly short game, albeit having three paths for replayability (I played the empathy path and I don't think I will be playing the other two paths).”
    • “Despite this, whispers of a machine has a lot to offer in the value of replayability and I would recommend it, especially to those interested in the futuristic and sci-fi genre.”
  • atmosphere
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive world-building, art style, and sound design, effectively blending elements of cyberpunk and post-apocalyptic themes. Reviewers highlight the engaging storytelling and philosophical undertones, with music and visuals contributing significantly to the overall mood. While some critiques mention occasional weaknesses in character development and puzzle design, the general consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience.

    • “The game's atmosphere is palpable, with a blend of futuristic elements and a sense of technological regression that effectively conveys the societal trauma left by 'the collapse'.”
    • “The hand-painted art style, combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, creates a moody and immersive environment that perfectly complements the game's tone.”
    • “A compelling story, atmosphere... soul... that's what a game needs.”
    • “The atmosphere felt a bit weak, visually not so impressive but the story was decent enough to give a positive experience.”
    • “There isn't even that dark, oppressive atmosphere of nordic noir this game tries to be, just a plain, mundane, dull rural town.”
    • “While I do think this is a great game, the aforementioned problems, especially the mild, plain atmosphere (not what you normally expect from cyberpunk) and underwhelming characterization of the NPCs means that it's less than it could be; less than it was so close to being.”
  • emotional
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it deeply engaging and heart-wrenching, particularly in relation to themes like grief, transhumanism, and personal relationships. While certain moments and character arcs resonate strongly, others feel rushed or underdeveloped, leading to a lack of emotional impact for some players. Overall, the game offers a thought-provoking narrative that can evoke strong feelings if players connect with its story and characters.

    • “Great story with engaging (and heart-wrenching!) plot twists and turns coupled with great voice acting make this game a new classic, in my opinion.”
    • “The positives are that the game elicited a strong emotional response from me.”
    • “This game isn't long (I completed it in about 5 hours), but it has amazing writing, great voice work, and the story was heart-wrenching and well plotted.”
    • “At first, the game gave me the impression of a rather boring story.”
    • “Once you get far enough into the story, it shifts from a murder mystery/crime narrative to a confusing tale of star-crossed lovers and a corrupt government. The plot didn't really know what it wanted to do, and eventually straightened out into a predictable, clichéd, and boring story.”
  • humor
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of charming dialogue and subtle wit, particularly highlighted by the character Valter, who is noted for his delightful comedic presence. While there are moments of humor, such as morbid jokes from the doctor and quirky interactions with NPCs, some players feel that the humor doesn't consistently land, with certain characters coming off as cringe-worthy rather than genuinely funny. Overall, the game offers a light-hearted experience, but it may not deliver the laugh-out-loud moments typical of classic point-and-click adventures.

    • “My favorite is Valter, he's funny and delightful.”
    • “- Loads of fun dialogue: you can show the NPCs your inventory items and ask them about every character and question in your notebook, some of which will give you funny dialogue.”
    • “It has some funny moments without overdoing it.”
  • character development
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is multifaceted, offering players unique abilities and paths based on their choices, which enhances gameplay and puzzle-solving. The rich storyline and well-crafted dialogue contribute to a compelling narrative, although some characters may feel predictable or flat. Overall, the impressive character designs and engaging mechanics provide a rewarding experience, encouraging replayability through varied character development options.

    • “The story was good, and there's some replay value in it due to character development; basically giving different answers next time and getting access to different skills.”
    • “Most character developments were predictable and sort of flat.”
    • “The storyline is rich and compelling, with well-written dialogue and deep character development that makes you care about the outcome.”
    • “I liked that there were multiple methods to solve puzzles depending on character development, and that our choices affected the way the character developed.”
  • optimization
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, "Whispers of a Machine" features strong voice acting and a nostalgic homage to 90s gaming mechanics, but it suffers from occasional audio stuttering issues. While the game is visually appealing and offers refreshing gameplay ideas, its optimization could be improved, as indicated by mixed performance reviews.

    • “The thing that I liked best about this game is that the game mechanics were true to the spirit of the 90s games it pays homage to (e.g., pixel art like those games, multiple combinations of abilities and solutions to puzzles like Maniac Mansion) but also optimized for modern gaming.”
    • “Whispers of a Machine is a stunning addition to the pantheon, with some really strong ideas, good writing, and largely superb performances.”
    • “Fully voiced, good dialogue, and performance.”
    • “Another problem I had involved audio stuttering, which is not a common problem with my PC, but also arose when I played Unavowed (another AGS game).”
    • “My only suggestion is related to the game performance.”
    • “Graphics, performance and tech analysis score: 5/10”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game, with some finding the need to replay for different endings tedious, especially when navigating numerous locations. However, many appreciate the engaging narrative and logical investigations, noting that while some puzzles can be elaborate, the overall experience remains enjoyable and not overly frustrating. The game's autosave feature, while innovative, can contribute to a sense of tedium when attempting to explore all decision outcomes.

    • “The only thing I don't really like is that you have to replay a lot to get the different endings. I know it is necessary due to the choice-based story, but it can get tedious for someone who prefers quicker solutions.”
    • “That becomes tedious especially later in the game when you have a larger number of locations to visit.”
    • “The game started to feel tedious to me while I was still in the first chapter.”
  • stability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game appears to be mixed, with some users reporting significant bugs and crashes, particularly on macOS, while others experienced a smooth, bug-free experience. Frequent autosaves help mitigate issues for those encountering glitches, but resolution problems related to the game's engine may affect overall performance. Overall, player experiences vary widely, with some praising the stability and others highlighting persistent technical issues.

    • “It was a bug-free launch, and Clifftop Games has definitely improved since Kathy Rain, in my opinion.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major issues, making for a very stable experience.”
    • “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; I haven't encountered any glitches or performance drops.”
    • “The game is super buggy on macOS.”
    • “A little bit buggy (gives error and shuts down, especially when you double click to exit or enter a place) but it's kind of ok as it autosaves frequently.”
    • “Yes, it is based on AGS and that can worsen your experience with resolution problems and other glitches.”

77%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

Buy Whispers of a Machine

7h Median play time
7h Average play time
5-9h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

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