"Every journey is a series of choices. The first is to begin the journey."

Antichamber is a first-person puzzle-platform game created and published by Alexander "Demruth" Bruce.

Premise
Antichamber doesn't waste your time, as right from the start it drops you into an antechamber that contains four walls. One wall is a window, behind it lies your ultimate goal- door with written above it "Exit". Now you only have to get there...

Gameplay
...and to do so you will make your way through maze of mind breaking levels!

Antichamber is simple when it comes to controls as you run, walk and jump, with gameplay focused on making progress through chambers to find a way out of this place. Simplicity ends when you venture into the unknown territory and realize fundamental laws of geometry you know in real life not apply here, in place filled with impossible objects and perceptual mindgames.

What does that mean? Navigating a constantly shifting maze is troublesome. Walking or running, turning left or right, keeping visual contact or reaching certain point can cause an enviroment change that places you in a completly different place. On top of that game has riddles with more unique mechanics you will need to figure out how they operate and simplistic puzzles, mainly focused on cubes. To solve these practical problems you will need a tool, and game offers just a thing. It doesn't have a name so might as well call it a "tool", but said item allows you to manipulate certain matter so you can progress further. However you will have to seek new, more powerful versions of said tool to control matter in different ways so you can get you closer to exit.

On your journey you will constantly encounter messages serving as hints to the puzzles as well as adages for real life. If you will ever find yourself trapped or unable to make progress, a quick button press will let you return to main black chamber, featuring a map to see where you ended, how your progress looks like, and where possibly you can go next. Pick a chamber and you will be send straight to it!

Starting location besides your goal hidden behind a window and previously mentioned map has diegetic menu with options to tweak the game a bit and final wall showing off all helpful messages you encountered on your way!

Playtime and replayability
7 hours to finish the game, but playtime is flexible as Antichamber can be beaten even in 30 minutes (if you would know layout and quickest route to gun upgrades of course). Take it being a puzzle game into consideration when it comes to playtime as time taken on making your way through can differ depending on a player.
After you beat the game you can load it up again to solve any puzzles you didn't complete, find rooms you might have missed, or fill up the images/signs/messages wall.

Pros and cons
Antichamber shines the most with its Escher-esque level design. Simple artstyle and atmospheric emptiness it provides create one unique experience that delivers right from the start. It offers fantastic riddles within the constantly shaping maze that, at very least for me, never felt annoying when it comes to revisiting same areas in order to find a way to progress. Game forces you to adapt as corridors around you change, to learn how world operates and seek creative ways to pass through another chamber. Ambient music evolving or constantly expanding wall of images add to feeling of making progress and figuring out Antichamber's world.

All of this adds to overall topic game is focused on, which is quite simple, maybe even obvious as you make your way through the title, that topic being life itself.

Fortunately game keeps it simple with controls, letting design of levels and puzzles shine.

However, it has to be said game might not tickle you in a right way if you seek something with strong narrative. "Story" and everything surrounding it play second fiddles. Fans of narrative-heavy puzzle games such as Talos Principle might feel lacking.

Conclusion!
Unconventional, imaginative, creative level design offered in Antichamber is a masterclass worth experiencing. A unique puzzle game title that delivers.

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