Honestly I don't normally write reviews seriously but this game shocked me with how beautiful and imaginative it was. The puzzles felt fun and original and it neither felt like I was reusing old solutions nor was the main core mechanic of each set being under-used (i.e. being introduced then taken away for another mechanic).

The exploration is really nicely done, it felt like that nicer type "do it yourself, we're not giving you a map or anything", and while it was confusing at first until you realise how pathing works, it made me feel a lot more free and immersed within the game.

The artstyle is something I was a big fan of, very Tron like yet it wasn't sickening with neon. The colours stood out and made key areas and visuals clear, as the rest of the game is rather dark in shading.

The music was atmospheric and beautiful, and probably the game's highlight. Every little part of the game, from the puzzles (which I noticed changed either modulations or notes on the main synthesizer) to the little expanding platforms changes the music in some way and makes the world feel magical and mysterious. The atmosphere it creates is one that enchanted me from the beginning to the end.

The little unlockables at the end that unlock parts of the synth to use are probably one of the most desirable unlockables I've ever come across in any game. Unlike Crackdown's orbs or Meat Boy's bandages (both games I enjoyed but did not feel invested in the collectables, even though they changed the game in some way), this game goes for short but sweet collectables that add modulations and functions to the additional synthesizer which can be used to make pretty tracks without needing too much experience in music design itself. In fact, the game sort of teaches you about certain aspects of music design and effect through its puzzles, like one for instance which works on timing decay.

If I had to say there was something lacking, it would be the loss of (at least I don't think there is) a story or underlying message. But in this element I feel perhaps a directed story may have spoiled the looser narrative of exploring the world. Also, there isn't much replayability outside of the synth, but the synth does kind of make up for that by itself.

All in all I had a great time playing this game and I continue to play around with the synth. I would absolutely recommend buying this game if you can, it's well worth your time and money.

Honestly I don't normally write reviews seriously but this game shocked me with how beautiful and imaginative it was. The puzzles felt fun and original and it neither felt like I was reusing old solutions nor was the main core mechanic of each set being under-used (i.e. being introduced then taken away for another mechanic). The exploration is really nicely done, it felt like that nicer type "do it yourself, we're not giving you a map or anything", and while it was confusing at first until you realise how pathing works, it made me feel a lot more free and immersed within the game. The artstyle is something I was a big fan of, very Tron like yet it wasn't sickening with neon. The colours stood out and made key areas and visuals clear, as the rest of the game is rather dark in shading. The music was atmospheric and beautiful, and probably the game's highlight. Every little part of the game, from the puzzles (which I noticed changed either modulations or notes on the main synthesizer) to the little expanding platforms changes the music in some way and makes the world feel magical and mysterious. The atmosphere it creates is one that enchanted me from the beginning to the end. The little unlockables at the end that unlock parts of the synth to use are probably one of the most desirable unlockables I've ever come across in any game. Unlike Crackdown's orbs or Meat Boy's bandages (both games I enjoyed but did not feel invested in the collectables, even though they changed the game in some way), this game goes for short but sweet collectables that add modulations and functions to the additional synthesizer which can be used to make pretty tracks without needing too much experience in music design itself. In fact, the game sort of teaches you about certain aspects of music design and effect through its puzzles, like one for instance which works on timing decay. If I had to say there was something lacking, it would be the loss of (at least I don't think there is) a story or underlying message. But in this element I feel perhaps a directed story may have spoiled the looser narrative of exploring the world. Also, there isn't much replayability outside of the synth, but the synth does kind of make up for that by itself. All in all I had a great time playing this game and I continue to play around with the synth. I would absolutely recommend buying this game if you can, it's well worth your time and money.