Contraption Maker

I loved TIM when I was young, and it's a criminally overlooked genre these days. CM delivers all the W. Health Robinson you could ever wish for!

I played so much with the original. This one has the same feeling

I was looking for the nostalgia of The Incredible Machine / Contraptions on Steam, and this pretty much nails it. It captures the silliness and complexity of the original with all the components - just a different soundtrack. There are puzzles on puzzles to solve and I know this is something I can play again in the future when I want to throwback to a simpler time.

Contraption Maker, developed by Kevin Ryan and published by Top Meadow, is a physics-driven puzzle sandbox that deliberately leans into the joy of invention rather than the rigidity of traditional problem-solving. Positioned as a modern successor to The Incredible Machine, it captures that same spirit of playful experimentation, where the objective is rarely the challenge itself, but the journey of constructing an elaborate, often absurd chain reaction to achieve it. Whether you are tasked with something simple like popping a balloon or guiding an object to a goal, the game encourages solutions that are anything but straightforward, giving players the freedom to build sprawling contraptions filled with gears, pulleys, animals, explosives, and countless other interactive elements. The structure of the game revolves around a large collection of puzzles that gradually introduce new mechanics while increasing in complexity. Early levels act as a gentle introduction, teaching the logic of cause and effect, but the difficulty ramps up in a way that demands both creativity and patience. What stands out is the game’s refusal to confine players to a single “correct” solution. Most puzzles can be solved in multiple ways, and often the most entertaining approach is not the most efficient one. This open-ended design is where Contraption Maker truly excels, as it transforms each level into a playground of possibilities rather than a strict test of logic. It’s a game that rewards curiosity, encouraging players to experiment, fail, and refine their ideas until something unexpectedly brilliant emerges. Beyond its built-in puzzles, the game expands significantly through its creation tools. The level editor is robust and surprisingly approachable, allowing players to design their own challenges with the same tools used in the main game. Combined with Steam Workshop integration, this creates a virtually endless stream of user-generated content, ranging from clever puzzles to wildly complex contraptions that push the game’s systems to their limits. This community-driven aspect adds a layer of longevity that few puzzle games can match, as there is always something new to discover or build. For players who enjoy tinkering, the editor alone can become the main attraction, turning the game into a creative platform rather than just a puzzle collection. A large part of the appeal comes from the satisfaction of seeing a contraption finally work. There is a distinct pleasure in watching a sequence unfold exactly as planned, especially after multiple failed attempts. Timing, positioning, and interaction all play crucial roles, and even small adjustments can have a dramatic impact on the outcome. The physics system is generally reliable, which is essential for a game built around experimentation, and it allows players to iterate with confidence. Even when things go wrong, the resulting chaos often feels entertaining rather than frustrating, reinforcing the game’s lighthearted tone. Visually, Contraption Maker adopts a bright and cartoonish style that complements its whimsical nature. The graphics are clean and functional, prioritizing clarity over realism, which is important given the complexity of the machines players can build. The sound design and animations further enhance the sense of playful experimentation, making each successful chain reaction feel rewarding. However, the presentation is not without its drawbacks. The interface can feel unintuitive at times, particularly when managing more intricate setups, and certain controls lack the smoothness that would make the building process more seamless. These usability issues can occasionally interrupt the flow, especially for players attempting more ambitious designs. Another potential downside is the repetition inherent in the gameplay loop. While the variety of tools and solutions keeps things interesting for a while, the core concept remains largely unchanged throughout the experience. Players who are not particularly drawn to sandbox-style creativity may find the game loses its appeal over extended sessions. Additionally, the lighthearted aesthetic and simple premise might give the impression that it is aimed primarily at a younger audience, even though the underlying mechanics can be quite sophisticated. Despite these minor shortcomings, Contraption Maker succeeds in delivering a deeply engaging and creatively fulfilling experience. It captures the charm of its predecessor while expanding on it with modern features and a strong emphasis on community content. More importantly, it celebrates the process of experimentation, reminding players that failure is often just another step toward discovery. For those who enjoy puzzle games that prioritize creativity over strict logic, or for anyone who takes pleasure in building intricate systems just to see them work, it offers a satisfying and enduring experience that is easy to return to time and time again. Rating: 8/10

If you ignore the fact that the graphics look like they were stolen from a cereal box, the gameplay is at least as perfect as you remember it <3

[h1]The Incredible Machine 4![/h1] The title pretty much sums it up. A legally distinct spiritual successor by many of the same people that brought you the TiM series. Basically, you get a puzzle that has a few bits missing, and it is up to you to solve these. Sometimes they're rather complicated constructs, but most of them will either click or not. Upsides: + New free rotation means a few clever solutions here or there may be. + Art style is clear and easy to read. + Things grid in while being freely placeable. + More puzzles than ever. Now, Downsides: ≈ I prefer the demi-realistic animals of yore. - The music, while well made doesn't have the quality of wanting to listen to it on repeat, nor does it have the breadth of genres. Nor can you freely go to the options and change it, say if you're good on Hoedown and want 1950's Prom. - A couple of parts are easy to confuse which bit should be pointed where. - Tim, unlike Mel doesn't seem to be paid hourly, and doesn't seem to be in a particular hurry anywhere.

I hathe the graphics and it's not that fun for an adult.