Whispers of a Machine

About

Whispers of a Machine is a single player puzzle game with mystery and science fiction 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 point-and-click game, where you play as Vera, a cybernetically enhanced agent investigating murders connected to AI superintelligence development. Equipped with the nano-substance Blue, Vera can develop unique abilities based on her psychological state. As the investigation unfolds, Vera faces her past and questions her beliefs, while the player can choose her augmentations and approach to the case.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 856 reviews

story334 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

Engaging story with a compelling murder mystery set in a unique post-apocalyptic world.
Innovative gameplay mechanics that allow players to unlock different augmentations based on dialogue choices, affecting puzzle solutions.
High-quality voice acting and well-written dialogue that enhance character development and immersion.

The game is relatively short, taking around 4-6 hours to complete, which may leave players wanting more.
Some puzzles can be overly simplistic or require trial and error, leading to potential frustration.
The lack of a manual save feature forces players to replay the entire game to explore different endings or paths.

story
700 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
51%
1%
The story of "Whispers of a Machine" is a compelling blend of cyberpunk and detective elements, set in a dystopian future where AI is banned. Players follow the augmented agent Vera Englund as she investigates a series of murders, with the narrative featuring rich world-building, well-developed characters, and engaging dialogue. While the plot offers intriguing twists and moral dilemmas, some reviewers noted that it could feel predictable and occasionally rushed, leaving room for deeper exploration of its themes and character backstories.
- “A solid story, good writing, and really superb voiceovers kept my interest from beginning to end.”
- “The storyline is rich and compelling, with well-written dialogue and deep character development that makes you care about the outcome.”
- “The story is captivating and everything is really well done so far!”
- “The story is riddled with plot holes and inconsistencies, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The game is linear, and despite the choices you can make, they don't significantly impact the overall story.”
- “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
247 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
56%
1%
The gameplay of "Whispers of a Machine" is characterized by its classic point-and-click mechanics enhanced by innovative features such as cybernetic augmentations and a personality system that influences puzzle-solving approaches. While the game offers clever puzzles and engaging mechanics, some players feel that the potential of these features is not fully realized, leading to a somewhat straightforward experience. Overall, it combines nostalgic gameplay with fresh ideas, making it a memorable entry in the genre, though some may find it lacking in depth and replayability.
- “Its unique blend of genres, innovative mechanics, and captivating story make it a standout title that is sure to leave a lasting impression.”
- “The gameplay is also enjoyable and decisions have meaning and weight.”
- “Whispers of a Machine is a fantastic progression in the point and click genre; it still feels like a classic point and click at heart but expands upon that with new and intriguing mechanics.”
- “Even if the bug is rare and acceptable, the story is a no, the gameplay system has no real freedom.”
- “While you could replay the game and see 'different' endings, the story and gameplay doesn't really change enough to warrant doing so.”
- “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
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The game's graphics are primarily in a pixel art style, which many players find beautifully detailed and well-executed, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling. While some critiques mention the graphics as somewhat crude or reminiscent of older games, the hand-painted visuals and character animations are often praised for their charm and ability to evoke nostalgia. Overall, the graphics effectively complement the game's immersive narrative and post-apocalyptic setting, contributing to a compelling experience despite some technical limitations.
- “The hand-painted art style, combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, creates a moody and immersive environment that perfectly complements the game's tone.”
- “Beautiful graphics, solid writing with philosophical themes around humanity and AI, logical and rewarding puzzles with enough challenge without being frustrating.”
- “The pixel graphics look nice, the voice acting is decent, most of the puzzles make sense, and the world is interesting.”
- “The graphics are pretty terrible, but you can highlight interactive items, which helps.”
- “The graphics are mediocre for pixel graphics and the story is good but not enough; I found it short and kinda predictable, not enough twists for me in this one.”
- “Even for pixelated art style standards, it's absolute shit and I cannot possibly forgive them for it.”
music
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
30%
3%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to create an immersive atmosphere that complements the visuals and narrative. Reviewers noted the soundtrack's haunting and atmospheric qualities, with many describing it as evocative and fitting for the game's post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk settings. While some found the music to be minimalist or not particularly memorable, the overall consensus is that it enhances the gaming experience significantly, making it a standout feature.
- “The hand-painted art style, combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, creates a moody and immersive environment that perfectly complements the game's tone.”
- “The music creates a nice mood for the game setting and adds to the dystopian atmosphere.”
- “Special mention must go to the soundtrack, which 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 fine, it didn’t stand out too much but it was nice enough.”
- “Voice overs are ok, music score is ok, 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 kinda predictable, not enough twists for me in this one.”
- “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.”
replayability
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
73%
3%
The game offers significant replayability through its multiple endings, branching puzzles, and character augmentations that allow for different play styles and solutions. Players can explore various personality traits and skills, enhancing the experience with each playthrough, despite the game's relatively short length. Overall, while some reviewers noted limitations in replay value compared to other titles, the unique mechanics and choices provide a compelling reason to revisit the game.
- “The ability to choose different approaches based on Vera's augmentations adds a layer of depth and replayability.”
- “It's a short game but has replayability thanks to multiple endings and branching puzzles.”
- “The game does have replay value with some variations in the story based on your choices as well as the different augments you can get.”
- “The only real problem I had was in the game's length; it was a bit short but has replay value.”
- “In fact, the game is pretty linear, which is normal in point-and-click games. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, but the fact that the game attempted to be this replayable experience that can be beaten in different ways, yet it wasn't, is disappointing.”
- “So despite its short length, the game offers quite a bit of replayability.”
atmosphere
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
32%
5%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by minimalist music, hand-painted art styles, and well-crafted soundtracks that complement the narrative. Many reviewers highlight the unique settings, such as cyberpunk and post-apocalyptic themes, which contribute to a moody and engaging environment. While some critiques mention occasional weaknesses in visual presentation or character depth, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere significantly enriches the gameplay experience.
- “The hand-painted art style, combined with the atmospheric soundtrack, creates a moody and immersive environment that perfectly complements the game's tone.”
- “Great atmosphere, exciting story, and good fair puzzles – I really like it!”
- “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.”
- “- the atmosphere and overall art design such as backgrounds are absolutely weak.”
- “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
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a strong protagonist and thought-provoking themes such as ethics, grief, and transhumanism, which resonate deeply with players. While many found the narrative engaging and capable of eliciting strong emotional responses, some felt that certain emotional moments were rushed or lacked depth, leaving a desire for a more fleshed-out experience. Overall, the game is praised for its heartfelt storytelling and voice acting, making it a compelling choice for those seeking an emotional journey.
- “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.”
- “I cried, good game, logical narrative but still surprising, well paced, definitely going on the replay list - need to see those other endings!”
- “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.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of delightful characters, particularly Valter, and fun dialogue options that can lead to amusing interactions with NPCs. While some moments are humorous, including a few morbid jokes and quirky characters like the ventriloquist robot, the overall comedic impact is inconsistent, with some players finding certain elements cringe-worthy rather than genuinely funny. The humor does not significantly enhance the puzzle-solving experience, which is noted as lacking in uniqueness and depth.
- “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.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
Overall, "Whispers of a Machine" features impressive voice acting that enhances the game's narrative and atmosphere. However, players have reported issues with audio stuttering, which detracts from the overall optimization experience. While the game boasts strong writing and engaging gameplay, its technical performance has received mixed reviews, with some users rating it as average.
- “Whispers of a Machine is a stunning addition to the pantheon, with some really strong ideas, good writing, and largely superb performances.”
- “The voice acting is top-notch, bringing the characters to life with convincing performances that enhance the narrative.”
- “While the story is a bit on the predictable side, the ultra-cool setting and a strong performance by lead actress Ivy Dupler make this title well worth checking out.”
- “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”
character development
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and impact on gameplay, with players noting that choices significantly influence character abilities and puzzle-solving methods. The rich storyline, well-written dialogue, and impressive character designs enhance emotional investment, while the unique mechanics tied to character progression add replay value. Overall, the combination of strong voice acting and artistic detail contributes to a compelling narrative experience.
- “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.”
- “I liked that there were multiple methods to solve puzzles depending on character development, and that our choices affected the way the character developed.”
- “The storyline is rich and compelling, with well-written dialogue and deep character development that makes you care about the outcome.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
The stability of the game is mixed; while some users report frequent bugs and crashes, particularly when navigating menus, others experienced a smooth, bug-free playthrough. The game's autosave feature mitigates some issues, and overall, there are indications of improvement since previous titles from the developer.
- “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 seamless experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the story without interruptions.”
- “A little bit buggy (gives errors and shuts down, especially when you double-click to exit or enter a place), but it's kind of okay as it autosaves frequently.”
- “Yes, it is based on AGS, and that can worsen your experience with resolution problems and other glitches.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be engaging and well-balanced, with enjoyable investigations and logical puzzles that avoid frustration. While some players noted a few tedious moments, particularly in the early chapters, the game generally mitigates grind through helpful design choices and meaningful dialogue options.
- “The game started to feel tedious to me while I was still in the first chapter.”
- “Puzzles provided a nicely balanced challenge, though there were some more elaborate/tedious ones that you could get stuck on.”
- “Engaging and refreshing with well-balanced puzzles that manage to be challenging without tedious moon logic.”

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77%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

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8h Median play time

7h Average play time

6-9h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Whispers of a Machine is a puzzle game with mystery and science fiction 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, Technobabylon, Kathy Rain and others.

Whispers of a Machine

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