Not so "Machinarium", which offers several aspects. First fall to graphics and sound. The former is superb - the hand-drawn, cartoon-like backgrounds are largely static, but wait with incredibly many loving details on. The colors and shapes used the whole back strongly in the direction of a rather gloomy dystopia. So the game is "cuddly" in spite of the acting protagonist rather something. For an older audience This also fits the mostly very quiet background music, which can only be described as a success. Narrator is omitted, the story is explained on the basis of speech bubbles and drawings. To play situation matching sound effects that almost oppressive atmosphere condense on.
As for the genre, is to be designated "Machinarium" most likely as a classic point & click adventure, pushed are also many ways of thinking and skill games. The puzzles are not always logical, but by trial and error, you can usually find the right solution quickly. Should it not work in spite of all attempts to create a "two-stage" game help has been in every screen integrated: During the first tip "free" is not available, you have to complete a small skill game for a more detailed solution. In my opinion, that's a nice idea. The story is traditionally driven by solving the various tasks and told in these bubbles. The story that this gradually unfolds is functional rather than deep consistently - in the end it is even a little confused. Nevertheless, the idea of rundown robots town in itself is very good.
Next we come to the game mechanics. The system is very simple and requires only a single mouse button. Who tried right clicking, notes that it is "Machinarium" a flash game is - in the case namely appear the corresponding context menu, which is somewhat annoying. Controlled the robot exclusively via the left mouse button, verbs or action menu does not exist. In clickable objects the character automatically performs the correct action, a maximum of a few circular motions or a bit up and down with the mouse are required. That the game, despite the simple control can be a challenge, is rather the fact that, in contrast to modern titles such an aid. B. the hotspot display is missing. I personally do not mind, but I can imagine that some players see it as a deficiency. Can be stored by the way totally free - it is really necessary but in between barely, because there are no dead ends and the robot can not die in the end.
As far as is in my view so everything's alright. However, there are two points that prevent the highest rating. On one hand, the length of the game is well below average. After a few hours we have seen the final and remains somewhat taken aback - I for my part would anyway like to further control the robot through this fascinating world. For a longer game time it might have been possible to make the story a little deeper or further - shame about this opportunity! On the other hand (and worse) has "Machinarium" virtually no replayability. Who once, knows the solution of all riddles - alternative paths do not exist, not even one execution of the tasks in a different order is possible, apart from very few exceptions. This allows you the game might dig out every few years, at more frequent intervals no more than once will probably deal with it.
These two criticisms are enough for me to deduct a star in the overall standings. Had the developers filed it a little, the five star would have been easily possible. But even so, remains "Machinarium" an excellent game for all fans of old adventure school.
Published on weltending.wordpress.com.
