Manifold Garden style games

[76561198292631324]

Perhaps this thread is established in advance, since Manifold Garden is yet to be released, nevertheless once that happens, it is inevitable such would eventually appear.

Certainly the first one to be mentioned is Antichamber. Some people actually asked whether the producer of Antichamber and the upcoming Manifold Garden is the same person. From what has been known, negative, but the artstyle may seem comparable.

Lately I have been searching the minimalist-tagged games on STEAM and discovered a release under the title of Disoriented:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/556240/

[asojidev]

Yeah, disoriented really almost has the same concept of Manifold Garden, the gravity switching portion that is. It's pretty minimal in textures, which is very nice.

[76561198292631324]

I am keen on stylish but minimalist in design puzzle games. The fact both Manifold Garden and Disoriented feature similar concepts proves nothing yet.

[William Chyr]

Really cool to see this posted! Being the developer, I guess I have a slightly different perspective...

Anyway, I thought I'd post some games that have been a big influence and source of inspiration for Manifold Garden.

You're right in that the first game to come to mind for most people is Antichamber, on account of the art style. There aren't very many games with edge detection and a minimalist art style. And while Antichamber has had an influence on the puzzle design, the world design and pacing draws inspiration more from other sources.

Here are some games. I won't go into details on which part of them MG draws from, just to leave some room for surprise:

- NaissanceE (http://store.steampowered.com/app/265690/)
- Starseed Pilgrim (http://store.steampowered.com/app/230980/)
- Antichamber (http://store.steampowered.com/app/219890/)
- The Witness (http://store.steampowered.com/app/210970/)
- Braid (http://store.steampowered.com/app/26800/)
- Kairo (http://store.steampowered.com/app/233230/)
- Fez (http://store.steampowered.com/app/224760/)
- Corrypt (http://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/12/corrypt.html) <- not on Steam

[76561198292631324]

Publicado originalmente por "William Chyr":

- NaissanceE (http://store.steampowered.com/app/265690/)
- Starseed Pilgrim (http://store.steampowered.com/app/230980/)
- Antichamber (http://store.steampowered.com/app/219890/)
- The Witness (http://store.steampowered.com/app/210970/)
- Braid (http://store.steampowered.com/app/26800/)
- Kairo (http://store.steampowered.com/app/233230/)
- Fez (http://store.steampowered.com/app/224760/)
- Corrypt (http://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/12/corrypt.html) <- not on Steam

From the mentioned ones I know and have played:

Naissancee, which is a good dynamic first-person-view platformer with unique mechanics and puzzle elements. But the platforming aspect is much more accented in comparison to the puzzles. Some puzzles even demand good platforming capabilities, which takes them out of the logic-only niche. Recommendable game, just mind there are entire chapters considered by some to be annoying, counterintuitive or even undoable. Interesting world design featured.

Antichamber, a living classic already. Game superb in contents and quality of challenges, with interesting visuals and deeper thought involved. Sometimes yet, as with all puzzlegames, it is easy to get stuck due to void of proper instructions or clues, which could make the experience frustrating. I have managed to go through the game mostly with my own effort, but even with that, there still were few moments when I just had to ask someone from the community for a nonspoiling tip. In this regard, it could have been added an extra pointer here and there.

Kairo, which is typically considered another puzzlegame masterwork available on STEAM, though the overall review score is mixed. My review is negative. Even though the game offers some beatiful vistas - despite minimalistic, even symbolic design - as well as capturing music and proper logical challenges, it just annoyed me eventually, in particular with the case of cacophonous sounds series of riddles. There are also some obsolete solutions featured in Kairo, such as to drag ones vision along the walls throughout plenty of impressively large areas, searching for a bit one would easily miss unless directly crossing, oftentimes by accident. Even though I am keen on minimalist puzzlegames, this one seems to embrace decisions I regard bad choices. But still a nice explorative experience.

This is it from those I played.

Regarding Starseed Pilgrim, I heard about it, saw the trailers, saw the screenshots and it looks like one of those games one will either love or hate. I have certain criteria, determining what STEAM releases I would even give a try as a customer and Starseed Pilgrim presents itself outside this spectrum. But it tells a lot of good that it constructively inspires people. Although the overall STEAM score is mixed.

The Witness is oftentimes mentioned as the one to go if to delve into puzzlegenre. Another loud titles are Portal - including the sequel - and Talos Principle. All of the mentioned are famiiliar to me only on the theoretical level at best.

What I search typically is either science-fiction (Duskers, SOMA) or abstract-themed (140, Antichamber). I accept surrealism with modernday references (Cubium Dreams), but it is hard to encounter, as well as surrealism itself is a slippery ground when it comes to world definition. Perhaps combined with horror it would be forced to maintain the appreciated course. What is interesting, science-fiction also goes well with horror (Aliens), unlike fantasy. When it comes to the abstract, it is a monopolist.

[76561198292631324]

Colortone is one of the first games to visually resemble Antichamber.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/375320/

Mixed STEAM reviews. Opinions state developer abandoned further involvement with it.

[William Chyr]

Ah yes, of course, Portal - so obvious I forgot to mention it.

Interesting, I'm really curious to hear your opinion of Manifold Garden once it's done, given what you've said so far about your own preferences.

[that is so raven]

Honestly I thought you were the developer of Antichamber hah :P, as the GFX literally looks the same imo. Surprised!

[76561198292631324]

Escher-inspired game:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/204240/The_Bridge/

[William Chyr]

Publicado originalmente por that is so raven:

Honestly I thought you were the developer of Antichamber hah :P, as the GFX literally looks the same imo. Surprised!

I don't know about "literally the same"... maybe the earlier stuff? :)

Here's a more recent screenshot: https://i.imgur.com/n9kMxEb.jpg

More focus on lighting, shadows, and architecture.

[AJax]

Publicado originalmente por William Chyr:

Here's a more recent screenshot: https://i.imgur.com/n9kMxEb.jpg

More focus on lighting, shadows, and architecture.

Just take my money already!

But seriously.. its looking BEAUTIFUL

[triple_agent]

We are entering the mobile world now but have you heard about the Monument Valley?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC1jHHF_Wjo

[Gokuzu]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/612740/Bokida__Heartfelt_Reunion/