Machinarium

i can't believe that I'm a additcted to a non 3D graphics game...

Umm - how do you update the 1.01 version to 1.2? If you click on the download link, it seems you just get the 1.01 demo. :-(

Machinarium is hands-down, the best game I have played in a decade. I just finished it a couple days ago, and I am seriously jonesing for more of the same -- I'd already played Samorost 1/2. This game is stunningly GORGEOUS. The art is meticulously done, the characters are insanely cute, and everything about the game is pure eye-candy. However, the only thing perhaps better than the art is the soundtrack, which I find unequaled in any other game I have ever played. Even the little "jazz trio" in the middle of the game plays a perfect notion of "robot jazz": Not swung, yet also not dry. Although the soundtrack is the perfect atmospheric accompaniment to Machinarium, the fact that an "improved" version is sold with the game is a testament to its high quality. The puzzles are complex, but not impossibly so, as long as you have enough patience to truly immerse yrself in them. In terms of difficulty, I'd say that they're a bit easier than the puzzles in the original Myst or Riven. I enjoyed Machinarium more than Myst in part because I could survey each scene without losing my orientation in first-person navigation. I have a couple of extremely minor quibbles with gameplay: Dragging the robot's head up and down gets tiresome on the mouse-finger, and there is actually one dead-end in the game (so be sure to save!) It would also be nice to have the ability to transport saved games between computers. These points are very minor, though, and shouldn't deter anyone. In sum: The puzzles are very good if you are a patient person, and the music and artwork are second to none.

I got Machinarium as part of the last MacUpdate bundle. I am not someone who typically enjoys "puzzle games". I didn't like the Myst series. I like puzzles that are easy to medium in difficulty, and I absolutely hate sitting there staring at something, totally lost. If you are like me, then you may be surprised that I still recommend getting Machinarium. However, I also recommend finding a good online walkthrough to reference when you get stuck. Why do I recommend it? This game is so well drawn and so cute that I really wanted to finish it, even though it meant resorting to the online walkthrough more often than not. I still look back and think "I never in a million years would have gotten that solution without the walkthrough". I'm not sure if that's typical of puzzle games or not, since I don't often play them. So, even though I'm a twitch gamer (Grand Theft Auto and CounterStrike are some of my favourite games), I enjoyed playing through this game. It's like playing the main character in a cartoon movie. I also enjoyed the darker, steampunkish setting.

How come this is a demo version that came with the promo. I thought it was supposed to be a full version.

it doesn't require a 1.8GHz processor. I'm running it on my 1.0 GHz eMac with 1GB of ram (Tiger) and I don't have any performance issues. I haven't played it on anything faster, so I don't know if I'm not at the normal speed *shrugs* but it works fine.

This game is awesome! I recommend this to anyone! The developer curated every single detail, from the music to the backgrounds and everything is just perfect!

Doesn't get my vote. Incredibly skilful production from a group of awesome wizards - but it's ugly! The beauty of the Samarosts were their 'natural' backgrounds, haunting music and the storyline of the little guy trying to rescue his dog... but how do you empathise with a tin can? Some of this is plain nasty and the music is simply boring - Floex, what are you playing at?! Awards don't sell products. Amanita studio displays more talent than most people will ever see - now they need to learn marketing.

I've just finished this wonderful game and I'm a little sad that's it's over. I've loved every quirky second of the game. The attention to every little detail, the superb back story, the characters... everything is spot on. What to do with my evenings now...?

What an ingenious creativity and wits! Most extraordinary game developed since Samorost! If I had kids, I would do anything to travel to USA and shake your hand personally!!!

Machinarium is everything that independent games can be. I loved it! It's a one-of-a-kind adventure/puzzle game that is visually gorgeous, mentally engaging and surprisingly funny. The look of the game sets a unique mood right from the start. The hand-painted art depicts a decaying industrial future. If you've ever seen the movie "The City of Lost Children" you'll have an idea of what to expect visually. Lots of rusty reds and oxidized-copper greens. The art is 2-D, but the multi-layer techniques make the game a 3-D experience. (The same layering technique is used in several new adventure/puzzle games, like World of Goo and Aquaria). You control a lovable little robot on his emotional quest through this world of broken machinery. The difficulty of the gameplay increases gradually, from fairly simple at first, to quite challenging as the game progresses. I use the word "challenging" in the best sense. I could say so much more about this cool game, but you should really check it out for yourself. If you enjoy unique, puzzle/adventure games, you should definitely download the demo for Machinarium.

This is a brilliant little puzzle game containing stunning hand-drawn graphics and some devious little puzzles. It is well worth a look (a demo is available) and is great value for the amount of entertainment it provides. The hero is a small robot that you control. As you progress you get snatches of the background to the story. You also get to meet a tremendous variety of both cute and less pleasant robots. The controls are easy to get the hang off and there are two levels of clues within the game. There is a single clue, easily available. However, if you are really struck there is a mini version of Scramble that you must make it through to see a walkthrough for the screen. This helps stop you reverting to the walkthrough too quickly! For the graphics alone, Machinarium is worth the money - but the well-pitched puzzles and cute storyline also really impress. The games plays nicely at full screen, although I've noticed a few graphics glitches at the edges of the screen (they don't affect gameplay).