Machinarium is a hand-painted point-and-click adventure with no words in it at all. Josef, a small robot dumped on a scrapheap, has to talk his way back into the city and rescue his kidnapped companion, and every exchange and puzzle is communicated through pantomime thought-bubbles rather than dialogue. Amanita Design's 2009 game, offered here on PS4, is celebrated for its illustration and its melancholic soundtrack, which carry a story told entirely in gesture. Players hold it in real affection, and the criticisms are the familiar ones for the genre: a few puzzles lean on logic the player cannot quite see, and an unlucky solving order can soft-lock progress and send people to a walkthrough. It suits anyone who values atmosphere, craft and unhurried problem-solving over pace, and who is happy to sit with a stubborn puzzle.
Single Player Only
Overall, players regard Machinarium as a beautifully crafted and nostalgic puzzle game with charming visuals and a captivating soundtrack. While the game is generally well-loved, criticisms often focus on its challenging puzzles, which some found frustrating or illogical. Overall, the sentiment leans heavily towards positive, though there are notable detractors who highlight gameplay issues.
Based on 100 reviews from steam
