Overall most helpful review

Posted on: November 6, 2020

rob.liefeld

Games: 1345 Reviews: 78

Clever, fun, uplifting

Superliminal is a first person puzzler in the vein of the likes of Portal 2. This time the name of the game is PERSPECTIVE. Small things turn huge if you go close enough, seemingly unrelated shapes come together into a single object from a certain angle, ect. The "story" is really simple and I'm not going to spoil it. The setup is that you, the player, is at a dream-therapy session, hence the weird, surreal otherworldly places and puzzles (if you're into the "liminal places" craze, then you'll love the setting). Unlike most games of similar nature, the "opposition" is a little more mysterious and a little less ominous. But that doesn't mean the game doesn't have it's forboding moments. My only gripe would be the game's length. I don't mind the fact that it lasts only for a short while (though really, it can be completed in an afternoon), but i do feel some of the aspects and puzzling-posibilities of this world remains unexplored. All in all, a very well designed, compact and clever game with a well thought out and constructed story that has a nice arc and slowly built up tension - and quite a handful of extremely fun puzzles. Highly recommended.

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Posted on: March 21, 2021

RalkalBob

Verified owner

Games: 35 Reviews: 2

A gem

Coming out of a depression cycle, I have played so many games for months, without joy. However, today, I feel amazing for having found this one. I had it sitting on my library for a couple of weeks. Not giving it much of a thought, until today. I finished this game with a wide smile on my face, and uplifted. I had almost forgotten already what was like to enjoy games instead or just going straight through them to finish them like a sort of chore to keep myself busy. Thank you sincerely.

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Posted on: December 27, 2020

Endominus

Verified owner

Games: 251 Reviews: 1

A 3-hour game that drags on too long

I like puzzle games, and Superliminal seemed like it was going to be right up my alley. Interesting use of space and perspective, a "story" in the vein of Dr. Langeskov, perhaps some genre twists to make it more exciting. Unfortunately, it disappoints severely in pretty much every way. First, we might as well get the value-for-money argument out of the way. Everyone has a different amount that they consider fair for a game of a given quality and length. Just to be open about it, my baseline for "good value" is $50 for 20 hours. As you might be able to tell from the title of this review and a bit of math, Superliminal does not clear that bar. As a $10 game, it would be a cool experiment and a fun space to explore. For $15, I would hesitantly recommend it for fans of puzzle games who have run out of interesting things to play. For $20, the price I paid, I can't help but feel it wasn't worth it. Especially because even at that length, the game seems too long! That may sound like a contradiction, but it's a result of the game's fatal flaw; it never evolves its mechanics. There are basically 3 "puzzle mechanics" (one of which barely deserves the term in my opinion) used over and over again throughout the game, with very little done to make them more complex. Instead the game opts to invest in visual wonder and perception bending. Which isn't really what I came to it for, and I found myself utterly bored during the final slog of the game as it begins navel-gazing with trite profundities. The focus on "story" in the last third or so after the puzzles run out leaves the game feeling lost, as if it can't decide between being Antichamber or The Beginner's Guide, both of which blow this game out of the water. It's a shame, as the idea of perspective-based puzzles is very cool; the only other game I know of on PC that tries to do them is Manifold Garden, which I haven't played yet, and isn't available on GOG.

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Posted on: November 8, 2020

DiSoJi

Verified owner

Games: 680 Reviews: 15

Amazingly clever and refreshing

The game plays with perspective in clever ways. Some are not that inventive or new but definetly add up to a refreshing experience. The game is short, i did a lot of going around and exploration and lasted around 5.5 hours. Now, is this a bad thing? Not at all. The game last enough to be fresh and to not lose it's spark and emotion mid way (as it happen with a lot of long lasting games now a days). The story is quite simple, but entertaining, some dry comedy here and there and some really interesting stuff along the way. The ending is absolutely brilliant and the final levels are a complete mind fuck visualy. There are level that really make you wonder how the hell does someone thinks of that stuff, and leave you impresed and with a smile of satisfaction on your face. TL;DR: If yoy like puzzle games and want an experience that is worth it and doesn't dry up midway because of excesive lenght then this is your game. It's clever, it's refresing, it's entertaining and it's a good purchase. I give my seal of quality.

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Posted on: January 5, 2022

Venus_in_Libra

Verified owner

Games: 831 Reviews: 74

Neat concept, weak execution

So first of, this is primarily a sort of adventure game, not puzzle game. Youre here for the experience, not the gameplay. The game seems to try combining strong elements from different great games like the Portal series, The Talos Principle and the Stanley Parable. But it never really advances any of them to a meaningful extent .... Some of the puzzles in the game were quite neat, but once you were done with a mechanic then you didnt come back to it. It was never reused or expanded upon. The premise of the story is quite simple and it isnt explored much. The philosophical concepts brought up feel somwhat superficial. There are some attempts to play with your expectations, but they either dont last long or dont lead to anything interesting. There are a couple of voices you get to hear through the game, that of female program and a male doctor. An attempt to add both a "Gladdos" and a "Stanley", yet neither one turned out to have depth to them. Add to that the fact that it feels these things dont feel like one cohesive experience and it becomes problematic. Its not bad. It had its moments. I wish they did more with it, to be honest. And better. I would have rated it a bit higher, were it cheaper. But its not nearly as good as its made out to be. Definitely not worth full price.

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