Znkl: 177

About

Znkl: 177 is a single player action game. It was developed by Snkl Studio and was released on November 24, 2017. It received neutral reviews from players.

"Znkl: 177" is a simple physics-based puzzle game where you, as the pilot of the spaceship "Znkl - 177," must deliver a capsule with important information to a cargo ship. The game features 30 levels, two shooting modes, pleasant music, and Steam achievements. Control the ship using the arrow keys and shoot with left and right mouse buttons. The game was created using Clickteam Fusion 2.5, with music by Neocoda.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

49%

Audience ScoreBased on 53 reviews

optimization1 positive mentions

music4 negative mentions

The game offers a quick and easy achievement hunting experience, with many players completing it in under 30 minutes.
The minimalist design and straightforward mechanics provide a focused gameplay experience that some players find satisfying.
The quick restart function encourages experimentation and improvement, appealing to those who enjoy precision-based challenges.

The game suffers from poor physics and inconsistent mechanics, leading to frustrating gameplay and reliance on luck.
There is a lack of content and variety, with only 30 levels that feel repetitive and uninspired, leaving little incentive for replay.
The absence of a tutorial, sound effects, and customization options contributes to a rough and unpolished experience.

gameplay
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The gameplay of Znkl - 177 is characterized by its minimalist design and focus on precision and repetition, appealing primarily to players who enjoy mastering challenging mechanics. While the lack of narrative depth and variety in gameplay elements may leave some feeling unfulfilled, the quick restart feature fosters a rhythm of trial and error that can be engaging for those who appreciate a pure, skill-based experience. Overall, the game offers a meditative challenge, though it may feel sparse and lacking in content for others.
- “Znkl - 177, developed and published by snkl studio, is a minimalist indie space puzzle game that focuses on precision, patience, and simple mechanics rather than spectacle or narrative depth.”
- “From the outset, the game’s tone and style make it clear that this is a pure gameplay experience—there are no lengthy introductions, dialogue, or lore.”
- “Yet for players who enjoy the challenge of mastering tough mechanics through repetition, this intensity becomes the game’s greatest strength.”
- “There are no unlockable ships, no alternate modes, and no evolving mechanics beyond what is introduced early on.”
- “The absence of a story or additional context can make it feel somewhat empty, especially for players who prefer their gameplay accompanied by a sense of purpose or world-building.”
- “It is unfortunate that the meteors (the obstacles) move slightly up and down constantly.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
30%
40%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the subdued atmosphere and ambient score that enhances focus on gameplay, while others find it repetitive and lacking variety. While the soundtrack is noted for its calming qualities, it can become annoying over time, and some users criticize the absence of sound effects and a more engaging musical experience. Overall, the music is seen as a highlight for some, but a drawback for others.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects complement this restrained approach, creating a subdued atmosphere that allows the player to focus on precision and rhythm.”
- “The music carried this game so well.”
- “I love the ambient setting of the space and calm music score.”
- “The puzzles are okay, but the music gets annoying after a while and there is no tutorial at all.”
- “Repetitive music.”
- “Do not trust anything written on the Steam game store - trading cards will never be given to this game, and there's no good soundtrack; just a generic ambient/space/minimalistic track and no sound effects at all.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The graphics feature a clean and functional design, utilizing simple geometric shapes against dark backdrops to create an atmosphere of isolation in space. However, the retro pixel art style may feel outdated, and the lack of resolution options or customization limits players' ability to enhance the visual experience.
- “The graphics are clean, functional, and unembellished—spacecraft and hazards are rendered with clarity, using simple geometric designs against dark, static backdrops.”
- “The overall aesthetic evokes a sense of isolation and quiet endurance, fitting for a game set in the void of space where every mistake feels amplified by silence.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “There's no option to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
- “There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be acceptable for achievement farming, but generally consider it to be unremarkable and lacking in engagement.
- “Fine if you’re just farming achievements, but otherwise very forgettable.”
- “The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward, making it a tedious experience.”
- “I found myself doing the same repetitive tasks over and over, which quickly became boring.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's lack of a narrative or contextual depth leaves it feeling hollow, particularly for players who value story-driven experiences. The gameplay is straightforward, focusing on simple tasks without any significant world-building or purpose.
- “The absence of a story or additional context can make it feel somewhat empty, especially for players who prefer their gameplay accompanied by a sense of purpose or world-building.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by a subdued ambiance, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and sound effects that promote focus on precision and rhythm.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects complement this restrained approach, creating a subdued atmosphere that allows the player to focus on precision and rhythm.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly on a wide range of machines due to its lightweight design and small file size.
- “From a technical perspective, the game runs smoothly and is optimized for virtually any machine, reflecting its lightweight design and small file size.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting that even during frustrating moments, such as challenging levels, the comedic elements keep them engaged and entertained. The unexpected outcomes often lead to laughter, enhancing the overall experience.
- “However, about half of that time was spent on level 28 as I missed again by just this much... Still, the fact that it had me playing (and laughing) through the frustration of watching my package bounce off in an unexpected direction earns it a thumbs up.”