Whispers of a Machine

About

Whispers of a Machine is a single player action game with mystery and post-apocalyptic themes. It was developed by Clifftop Games and was released on April 17, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Whispers of a Machine is a Sci-Fi Nordic Noir that tells the story of Vera, a cybernetically augmented detective in a post-AI world, who investigates a string of murders and unravels a dark conflict over forbidden technology.

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,437 reviews

story559 positive mentions

stability9 negative mentions

Engaging and intriguing detective story with strong Nordic noir and sci-fi themes.
Innovative gameplay mechanics with augmentations that change based on player personality and choices, adding some replayability.
Excellent voice acting, ambient soundtrack, and detailed pixel art create immersive atmosphere.

Game is relatively short in length and somewhat linear, limiting exploration and depth in worldbuilding.
Some puzzles and gameplay mechanics feel underutilized or awkward, with a few illogical or obscure puzzles requiring external guides.
No manual save feature and only one autosave slot, forcing full replays to see different endings or choices, which some players find frustrating.

story
1,169 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
"Whispers of a Machine" presents a well-crafted cyberpunk detective story set in a post-apocalyptic, anti-AI world, featuring a compelling murder mystery and themes around transhumanism, AI, and morality. The story is praised for its engaging writing, strong voice acting, and atmosphere, though some find it predictable, somewhat linear, and lacking depth or development in certain characters and plot elements. While not groundbreaking, it offers multiple endings influenced by player choices and augmentations, providing replay value despite its relatively short length.
- “A wonderful game with great graphics and animations, voice acting, and story.”
- “Whispers of a machine is a cyberpunk-themed investigation adventure game that has great voice acting, great soundtrack, great story, and interesting investigation gameplay.”
- “The story is fantastic; it pulls you forward, constantly making you want to uncover what happens next.”
- “The game is just riddled with plot holes and inconsistencies.”
- “The biggest flaw of the game still it's the story and development of character.”
- “So yeah, it's a decent little point and click that's far too short to develop the plot it wanted to, far too shallow to develop all the characters it wanted to, and far too linear to offer the choice of endings it really wanted to.”
gameplay
396 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
58%
1%
Whispers of a Machine offers solid and intuitive classic point-and-click gameplay enhanced with innovative mechanics like cybernetic augmentations and a personality system that influence puzzle-solving and player choices. While these unique features add depth, some players feel they are underutilized and the game is relatively short, with occasional frustrating or simplistic puzzles. Overall, the gameplay is logical, engaging, and well-integrated with the narrative, providing a fresh twist on the adventure genre with decent replay value.
- “The gameplay can be very challenging because you have to think through each situation and can't brute force the solutions like in other adventures, but it's always logical and fair.”
- “The gameplay is quite interesting, adding the concept of augmentations that give special skills to the protagonist and also adds replay value by using a personality system that assigns a trait between assertive, empathic or analytical that will shift what skills you get and how you can solve puzzles.”
- “Whispers of a Machine is a slow-burn cyber-noir mystery that tries to blend classic point-and-click gameplay with modern RPG mechanics like branching dialogue, multiple approaches to puzzles, and player-shaped personality stats.”
- “It's a shame we only get to see a small part of this universe during gameplay.”
- “Although I figured out several of the plot points before the main character and wish that there was a way to fill in more of Vera’s personal backstory, it is still a really fun crime-solving experience with unique mechanics and plenty of replay value as you make different choices.”
- “As for the gameplay, the opening scene sets you up to think it's going to be a real mystery where you'll be looking for clues and gathering evidence with a bunch of interesting tools, but then most of those tools go largely unused for the rest of the game in exchange for bland puzzles and standard point-and-click 'find the correct combination of items that will let you advance the plot'.”
graphics
224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The game features beautifully crafted pixel art graphics that evoke a nostalgic, classic point-and-click adventure aesthetic, complemented by distinctive character portraits and atmospheric, cyberpunk-inspired settings. While some backgrounds are noted as uneven or less detailed, the overall art style effectively supports the mood and narrative, enhanced by excellent voice acting and a fitting soundtrack. Though not flashy or modern, the visuals are well-realized and immersive, resonating well with fans of retro-style adventure games.
- “The graphics are nice, the pixel portraits are very beautiful and distinctive, showing a whole range of characters with all their features.”
- “The hand-painted art style, combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, creates a moody and immersive environment that perfectly complements the game's tone.”
- “The game is beautifully made with superb graphics, music, voice acting, story, gameplay, and the list could go on forever.”
- “Your character is a monster, the story is boring, graphics bad, gameplay clumsy, propaganda unbearable.”
- “The use of ugly, obsolete retro pixel graphics here is both inexplicable and unacceptable. If they're going to put so much effort into developing an involved, lengthy adventure game, why not hire an artist and come up with some contemporary graphics? Despite saving so much development budget on computer graphics by not bothering to include any, they're charging a whopping $15 USD while ripping off the appearance of games 25 years older, only worse.”
- “I found exteriors of objectionable quality, though, as they seemed to be rushed, as if in need of a further polish pass: too many flat surfaces, too few texturing/shading, too many straight lines... not very convincing, especially if compared to the overall graphic effort of the game.”
music
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
31%
2%
The music in the game consistently receives high praise for its atmospheric, moody, and immersive qualities, effectively complementing the pixel art and dystopian Nordic-inspired setting. Many highlight the soundtrack as emotionally evocative, well-crafted, and integral to the game's tone, often describing it as memorable and professionally produced. While some find it subtle or less standout, the majority agree it significantly enhances the overall experience and mood.
- “The soundtrack is incredibly good - it's evocative and completely sells the setting, and one of the few game scores that's got heavy wear on my Spotify playlist.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful and super atmospheric!”
- “I regret not buying the blue edition of the game, as the soundtrack is of professional quality, sounds very refined, and feels perfect for being listened to outside of the game.”
- “The soundtrack is fine, it didn’t stand out too much but it was nice enough.”
- “The menu music I got to listen to while idling for 5 minutes to be able to write this review was okay though.”
- “Voice overs are okay, music score is okay, graphics are pretty mediocre for pixel graphics and the story, well it is good but not enough, I found it short to be honest and kind of predictable, not enough twists for me in this one.”
replayability
151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
74%
2%
Whispers of a Machine offers notable replayability through its three distinct personality paths—assertive, empathic, and analytical—that unlock different augmentations and puzzle-solving approaches, leading to multiple endings and varied gameplay. While the game is relatively short, these branching mechanics and adaptive puzzles encourage multiple playthroughs, although some find the replay value limited by the mostly linear story and lack of manual saves. Overall, it provides a rare degree of replayability for a point-and-click adventure, appealing especially to players interested in exploring different character builds and narrative outcomes.
- “But despite its (regrettably short) length, whispers of a machine is highly replayable precisely because of how the game adapts to your choices.”
- “On a final note, I have to say that the fact that—unlike Maniac Mansion where you choose your abilities up front that are used to solve puzzles—your augmentations are unlocked over time based on your dialogue choices in game, and so there are actually several combinations of abilities you can gain and have to use, making the game replayable if you want to pick different options and have to complete the game differently with different augmentations.”
- “With 3 different "augmentation" paths to buff as well as allow different solutions to each of the major puzzles really made this one of those re-playable games I'll enjoy again and again.”
- “Also, for a game that prides itself on replayability, with varying character powers and multiple choice endings, not being able to reload an earlier save to explore other options without replaying the entire game is a pretty daft choice.”
- “There isn't much replayability apart from changes in dialogue and a few interactions – the story is the same.”
- “In terms of replayability, outside of skills, there are a couple of other things you can do differently here and there, but neither the skills nor these choices open whole new paths like in Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.”
atmosphere
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
30%
3%
"Whispers of a Machine" is widely praised for its moody, immersive atmosphere, blending classic pixel art with a minimalist, atmospheric soundtrack that evokes a Nordic cyberpunk noir vibe. The game’s quiet, reflective tone and well-crafted world-building effectively convey a futuristic yet melancholic setting, complemented by strong voice acting and a compelling, thoughtful narrative. While some find the atmosphere subdued or less intense than typical cyberpunk, most agree it richly supports the story and detective theme, creating a memorable and engaging experience.
- “Whispers of a Machine blends classic Nordic noir atmosphere with a smart sci-fi twist; this is the future in a small provincial outpost and a slow-burn detective story wrapped in cybernetic mystery.”
- “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.”
- “But when everyone feels flat and robotic, it creates a lifeless atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere felt a bit weak, visually not so impressive but the story was decent enough to give a positive experience.”
- “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
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The game's emotional impact is mixed, with some players deeply moved by its heartfelt themes, vivid characters, and engaging story, while others find it emotionally underdeveloped or disconnected due to pacing and lack of backstory. Strong voice acting and thought-provoking topics add emotional depth, but certain plot elements and climaxes feel rushed or poorly fleshed out, preventing it from fully resonating with all players. Overall, it offers a meaningful emotional experience for those who engage with it, though it stops short of becoming a true emotional masterpiece.
- “I usually get bored quickly and skip dialogs, but here the game made me feel curious and care about the characters throughout the whole game.”
- “Ethics, the singularity, the 'roko's basilisk' dilemma, transhumanism, death and grief, etc. – were handled well and added both an emotional and thought-provoking layer to the experience.”
- “Great story with engaging (and heartwrenching!) plot twists and turns coupled with great voice acting make this game a new classic, imho.”
- “At first, the game gave me an impression of a rather boring story.”
- “Once you get far enough into the story it goes from murder mystery/crime to a weird star crossed lovers/corrupt government story... it just got confusing, the plot didn't really know what it wanted to do, and then it straightened out into a really predictable, clichéd, boring story.”
character development
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
29%
18%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its diversity, unique cybernetic augmentation abilities, and multiple development paths that influence gameplay and puzzle-solving. While some find the character development engaging and well-integrated with the story and voice acting, others feel it is minimal or predictable. Overall, distinct character designs and meaningful dialogue choices enhance the depth and replay value of the experience.
- “Interesting extension on point and click genre with cybernetic augmentation abilities: bioscan, muscle boost, evidence scans, and others as acquired depending on 3 different character development paths.”
- “The storyline is rich and compelling, with well-written dialogue and deep character development that makes you care about the outcome.”
- “Character development is minimal.”
- “Most character developments were predictable and sort of flat.”
- “I liked that there were multiple methods to solve puzzles depending on character development, and that our choices affected the way the character developed.”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by subtle, often dark or morbid moments, notably through characters like Valter and the doctor, with Valter being a standout favorite for many players. While some dialogue and interactions provide gentle, clever fun, the humor is generally understated and not consistently laugh-out-loud, sometimes feeling forced or awkward. Overall, it offers a modest, discreet sense of humor that complements the story without overshadowing the gameplay.
- “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.”
- “Valter is hilarious! My favourite is Valter, he's funny and delightful.”
- “It has some funny moments without overdoing it.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The game offers a nostalgic 90s-inspired design optimized for modern play, featuring solid voice acting and engaging mechanics. However, it suffers from occasional audio stuttering and average overall performance, with technical aspects like graphics and performance rated around 5/10.
- “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.”
- “+Fully voiced, good dialogue and performance.”
- “Great, pretty convincing voice acting performances.”
- “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.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The game’s stability appears inconsistent across platforms, with some users experiencing bugs and crashes on macOS, notably during certain actions, while others report a mostly bug-free experience. Frequent autosaving helps mitigate issues, though occasional glitches related to resolution and technical aspects persist. Overall, stability has improved compared to previous titles, but some players may still encounter occasional problems.
- “It was a bug-free launch and Clifftop Games has definitely improved themselves since Kathy Rain.”
- “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.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game is a mixed experience: some find replaying multiple endings and visiting many locations tedious, especially with autosaves making decisions final, while others appreciate the logical, engaging investigations and well-balanced challenges that avoid frustration. Overall, grinding can feel repetitive for those seeking quicker progression but remains satisfying for players who enjoy deep narrative exploration and thoughtful puzzle-solving.
- “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.”
- “Next, the game autosaves to make any decision final, which is cool in concept, but it really just gets kind of tedious when trying to unlock other endings or seeing what decisions do.”

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77%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

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7h Median play time

7h Average play time

5-9h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

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Whispers of a Machine is a action game with mystery and post-apocalyptic themes.

Whispers of a Machine is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Whispers of a Machine.

Whispers of a Machine was released on April 17, 2019.

Whispers of a Machine was developed by Clifftop Games.

Whispers of a Machine has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Whispers of a Machine is a single player game.

Similar games include Unavowed, Lacuna, Primordia, Kathy Rain, Technobabylon and others.

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