Unfortunately, it's a better idea than a game, and it feels like it's doing little more than lampshading with all of its critiques of the industry and the expectations of the player, especially given its "I know I know you're probably bored, let's try something different" humor that we're all-too-familiar with at this point.
It reminds me of a Netflix production trying to have a smart message without alienating too many people, and its biggest success IS that it's accessible - namely to an audience that isn't really used to this kind of thing and needs an entry point. That's not to say it's bad, accessible art with a message is really important, but the amount of dialogue spelling out the themes makes me think they maybe didn't trust the player as much as they should have, and went for a tell-don't-show approach that really doesn't work for me. All of this "tell" doubles as an excuse to take advantage of their all-star cast, which includes DOCTOR VENTURE HIMSELF, and honestly I can't blame them for wanting more of him, but I do not care about the characters enough to listen to all these audio logs and think they're so smart.
It doesn't help that I'm currently playing Alan Wake II, which goes above and beyond with the very-similar themes on how creators treat their art and audience, and how their art shapes them in return, using the mechanics of the game to try to reshape the story given your restrictions as a piece OF a story.
It reminds me of a Netflix production trying to have a smart message without alienating too many people, and its biggest success IS that it's accessible - namely to an audience that isn't really used to this kind of thing and needs an entry point. That's not to say it's bad, accessible art with a message is really important, but the amount of dialogue spelling out the themes makes me think they maybe didn't trust the player as much as they should have, and went for a tell-don't-show approach that really doesn't work for me. All of this "tell" doubles as an excuse to take advantage of their all-star cast, which includes DOCTOR VENTURE HIMSELF, and honestly I can't blame them for wanting more of him, but I do not care about the characters enough to listen to all these audio logs and think they're so smart.
It doesn't help that I'm currently playing Alan Wake II, which goes above and beyond with the very-similar themes on how creators treat their art and audience, and how their art shapes them in return, using the mechanics of the game to try to reshape the story given your restrictions as a piece OF a story.
WHAT??
Excellent, feels like a very complete experience.
The magic circle es un juego muy especial. Te da la opción de ver "como se hace" un juego desde dentro, con personajes y situaciones que no son más que los estereotipos y situaciones cotidianas que se viven durante cualquier desarrollo. Si estás mínimamente metido en el mundillo te encandilará. Si buscas un juego de puzzles al uso, este no es tu juego. Y si no sabes si comprarlo o no, hazlo. No te arrepentirás si tienes la mente abierta y te gustan el God mode.
a hidden gem of a game. i love the main core mechanic and how many possibilities it gives you to solve the puzzles and explore the world.
When I first played this game, I loved it's narrative and themes a lot, but felt disheartened by what I felt was an unexpectedly cynical ending. In the years since, and especially after learning the stories of Irrational Games & 2K Marin, I realise that it would have been a disservice to the narrative and themes to end any other way.
This game freaking hates the players guts for playing it!
Interesting concept and game ideas but the messaging was very blunt and the dialogue and characters were incredibly unengaging, bland, and one dimensional.
purely for not being very handholdy this gets a positive review. storywise it is passable, which is unfortunate for (what amounts to, frequently) a walking sim. worth $5 in a sale for sure. also awesome for the 0451 joke
A criminally overlooked game that fits well into the growing niche of meta-games. One of those ones that manages to make a gameplay loop that ties into the story without going so far as to break my suspension of disbelief, even though I think the characters lean too hard on a spectrum ranging from "insufferable narcissist" to "hopeless anarchist," even once you learn their backstory.
I also appreciate the game's message. If you can truly get this much fun out of simply toying with the remnants of someone else's idea, what's stopping you from making your own? You know what happens when you let it rot from seeking perfection, after all.
I also appreciate the game's message. If you can truly get this much fun out of simply toying with the remnants of someone else's idea, what's stopping you from making your own? You know what happens when you let it rot from seeking perfection, after all.
old pro godtier
love the themes and message being expressed here and how its portrayed, showing how game development isn't something you can do alone, but also showing how a uncoordinated team of mass numbers also gets nothing done. also ahead of its time in how it talks about how consumers are so picky and cant simply have fun anymore, they need the next big art project to experience instead of enjoying a game and having fun.
love the themes and message being expressed here and how its portrayed, showing how game development isn't something you can do alone, but also showing how a uncoordinated team of mass numbers also gets nothing done. also ahead of its time in how it talks about how consumers are so picky and cant simply have fun anymore, they need the next big art project to experience instead of enjoying a game and having fun.
The magic circles I know summon satan, and this game had no satan!