Recent reviews by eepydeer

Another awesome, semi-meta dive into programming and puzzles and quirky minigames. This one is definitely for the fans. Zachtronics proves to be a master of game design in really subtle ways - most "mini-game" style things, I'm usually overwhelmed by the number of options and don't really fully try any of the things as a result. But here they smartly limit the number of things you can do at once, without limiting where to start, and I found myself playing for hours without even realizing it! It's all baked into the game atmosphere and makes me appreciate everything in the package so much more.

Presumably you are reading this because you are like me: hugely enamored by the zachtronic-type-genre of quasi-programmatic puzzle games. Well - let me say, in that genre, The Signal State holds its own, even pushes the genre forward with an intuitive but deep interface and ample quality of life.
The design framework is clearly heavily inspired by shenzhen//io and other zachtronics games. But unlike some other more indie zach-likes, The Signal State takes it all the way, and includes the quality of life and polish to the interface that makes those games the industry-best! I'm talking, integrated leaderboards, metrics by which to measure and improve your solutions, keybinds, and a similar story interface. Not to mention also following a similar release approach to zachtronics games, where they launched day one with a full and well-featured campaign, but already have planned free support to integrate steam workshop, etc.
So - yes I highly recommend this game! It would stand on its own even if you'd never heard of this genre or games like this. The puzzles all flow and escalate very nicely, and it is really cool to build something complex using cables and seeing the end result is very satisfying. To be honest I haven't found any other games that capture the magic and spirit of exapunks/shenzhen io quite as much as The Singal State has.

Even knowing the conceit, the dark paths this story will take, it still shreds past all expectations. A great story that couldn't be told in any other medium.

Everything you love from those classic shooter dungeon crawl games, none of the luggage that makes them hard to go back to.

Like, my dad always talks about Return to Castle Wolfenstein as this big, nostalgic, fantastic game that nothing else will ever measure up to. He talks about the detail of the levels and the intricate secrets that you can find. But while I've tried playing that game several times, it always feels too dated, animations all sluggishly slow, the weapons generally not fun to use. I know, heresy!

But that's why I've enjoyed this game so much, it feels like a modernization of that classic experience. Two seconds in the game and you'll see how quick and slick your character's movement and aiming feels, which is a must nowadays, feels similar to the newest Doom games. I love, love discovering secrets and wandering through interesting levels, and that's pretty much the best part of this game. Lots of false walls, loot that matters, a whole bunch of weapons, a light upgrading system that gives you all the info up front and lets you make choices without wasting time. The levels are all quick but interesting to explore, and there are a lot of levels! In mid to late levels the enemies are getting very diverse and interesting. I look forward to seeing what else this game has to offer!

Devolver steps it up every year, and consistently pushes for fresh experiences. This short, super atmospheric, light-stealth little experiment is worth your time.

Playing through this made me realize how much I want something like this... A main hub game that you travel around and unlock full-fledged games in different areas? Like if The Orange Box had a hub area like Lego games? That sounds awesome.

Everyone is talking about the slick controls and great music. But nobody mention the personality this game has!! Absolutely recommended!!

Just made the conscious decision to knock down a torch to start a fire, and then light myself up in that fire, in order to carry the burn to a separate wooden barrier so that I could get at some otherwise inaccessible loot. There are all sorts of these amazing, ridiculous interactions in this game, it's really great. I frequently find myself dying (joyously) from experimentation gone wrong.

The early game difficulty is actually pretty forgiving! Also worth noting, unlike a lot of roguelikes, I don't feel rushed through levels. Like for example in Spelunky if you take too long in a level, the grim reaper starts chasing you down. I haven't noticed any mechanics like that here, so you can just explore the sandbox and try things out.

Here's a short list of ways I've died: transformed myself into a giant worm, spat out a smaller worm, that worm immediately turned around and ate me.
Found a giant lake of lava, tried (and failed) to fly across.
Got a modifier that freezes all liquids around me, along with a wand that lights everything on fire. Felt like a really powerful combo, until I blocked off every waterway. Died from walking on frozen acid.
Found the giant lake of lava again. I had a black hole gun that eats through anything. Aha! I can shoot something downwards and the lava will drain. Died by jumping out and trying to float to get a good angle.

I really recommend that you get this game. It's a deep and accessible sandbox with so many crazy interactions. Even within the first few runs you will find yourself smiling and laughing at so many different things!

Another great Zachtronics game! As pretty much every review says, this is like Opus Magnum with the style of TIS-100. The chemistry theme is very strong and well-done, gives me flashbacks to valence bonds college days. I liked the consistency between the molecules and techniques that are in the game and those in actual chemistry.
Input/control-wise, everything is very intuitive! There is no manual to flip through for this game. But I never felt lost or unsure how I could get a puzzle done, the game is designed to allow you to test everything as you go very easily. I recommend this game!

Another great Zachtronics title. It is a game that doesn't waste your time. Every puzzle is deliberately crafted to give you insight into a new tool or concept. You will feel true satisfaction for every solution you make because you earned it, and the puzzles can be difficult but all are designed with the intention to learn and grow. A great game.

Solidly recommended. Has a nice balance between accessibility and depth. More accessible than Shenzhen I/O I think. More accessible than Shenzhen I/O I think. The solutions to puzzles can often be quite elegant, but the solution is driven entirely by the player. It is a great game.