Short version:
This is a very different game by the end than what I thought it would be at the start. Artwork is stunning.

Long version:
At first I wasn't thrilled with the gameplay in this game. The earlier puzzles were sometimes a bit frustrating. Not that they were particularly hard - it's just that I solved some without a satisfactory 'aha!' moment where I figured out how it worked. Some were just poke at everything and eventually it gets solved.

I'm kinda glad I stuck with it though, it starts to get a lot better as you go. And trippier... By the end it was... profound and honestly a work of art. The soundtrack has grating parts in a particular section though, which was an unnecessary mess given how well the rest of it works.

The story doesn't have dialogue for the vast majority of the game (your character speaks exactly once I think). The animation is done such that I could imagine different people would have different interpretations of the story. Not sure that was by design, but if so it's clever.

You start off as a watch salesman who eventually gets to a room where he sees a shooting frozen in time. It's unclear at this stage if you're trying to solve or prevent a murder - seems your character has some control over time somehow. This room is essentially the level selection menu, with you gathering clues that stick on the wall as you go.. There are some science themes in many of the levels, eventually leading to you messing with the universe itself. Seems there are two possible endings (I've only done one play through to date though).

Not a perfect game, I'd say it can be rewarding if you push past some of the annoyances early on.

What this has:
Puzzles, fairly linear gameplay, point and click interactions (mostly, or hold + rotate), level selection.

Might be for you:
- A Jazz soundtrack (not all of it is, but quite a bit)
- Underlying 'look at the universe' theme around the big bang (this is a pun in the game btw)
- Unique puzzles in each level. Mostly point and click/ drag/ rotate
- Artwork is largely black and white at first, with colour in key parts. Very well crafted, getting more elaborate as you go
- Story has barely any dialogue, so much of it is left to your interpretation

Might not be for you:
- Puzzles sometimes solved without the satisfaction of knowing 'how' you solved the puzzle
- Movement quite slow and broken up by cut scenes
- Gameplay is quite linear. Some parts can't be returned to after a certain point in the level.
- Artwork and soundtrack can be quite 'trippy', especially towards the end of the game. Use discretion if you have flashing light sensitivity (I think you can disable these in the settings, but not 100%)

meh

Controls felt off with keyboard and mouse, but otherwise a good game. Beautiful animation and art style.

I like puzzles, i download. this game was like a fever dream. i recommend.

but dont expect the best gameplay, its more like: puzzles, story, looking for stuff, and visuals. (you can also play with just your mouse)

This game is an absolute narrative masterpiece. Words cannot describe how beautiful this game is, from every fine detail to the biggest of pictures, it grants you this whole incredible world in such a swift and tasteful manner that it is impossible to not be stunned by it.
Must play.

I'm surprised to see this has mixed reviews. Am I just being soft on the game? Did I not really understand it when I thought I did? Was it boring and, because I was streaming it, it was more fun to me? I'm not sure. All I can say for sure is that I really liked it. It was pretty artsy but I never found it to be egregious. I did have someone in chat that could help me with some of the more...hypothetical theories they talk about within the game regarding science and spacetime and the like, so again, maybe that helped aid in a better experience for me.

I guess my one recommendation is that you shouldn't go into this expecting a detective L.A. Noir-type game, you should go in expecting an artsy, noir-themed point & click about the Big Bang and the theorized death of the universe, along with many many other scientific theories that I could in no way re-explain to anyone ever lol Be ready to google things if you don't quite get the reference or try out a few solutions to get a puzzle. It isn't conventional. There is purposeful moments of confusion or lingering. I think it's best to put your own ego aside and try to experience this from the perspective of the creators.

The art is gorgeous, the music is catchy and fun and beautiful, and I really do think the story is touching and interesting. I hope you can enjoy this as well. I recommend Genesis Noir and can't wait for their next game.

I finally picked up this game on sale because I like narrative/walking simulator type games and because it has such a gorgeous art style. The art style did not disappoint - just a treat to look at!! The puzzles were generally simple, although at times the way forward wasn't intuitive and I had to look a few things up.

I do think the ending chapter ran rather long, and the colorful part/art change style fell flat. The two different endings could also stand to be more distinguishable. Very different things take place narratively depending on which one you choose, but the endings are very similar, leaving you to imagine what happens rather than showing you.

Despite these criticisms I enjoyed the experience and the creative story arc was interesting. Would recommend picking this up on sale if you enjoy the art style and astrophysics.

Most likely the weirdest art house game I've played, but honestly it was such a cool experience. Play it with the mindset that it's an interactive movie, and you're good to go!

Playing this game while high is probably even better

my head hurts