Submachine: Legacy

love this game so much and will love it forever. absolutely maddening. one day i'll beat it without outside help..... one day.

MINOR DISCLAIMER: I did not get this game for free but I DID get it as part of the 2024 Jingle Jam bundle, so that's why this review doesn't count towards the general review score. I did not get the bundle [i]because[/i] of this game's inclusion, but I [i]am[/i] glad I got it through there, as I might not have discovered this great game otherwise :D I am someone who likes puzzle room/escape room-y type games a lot. And this game scratches those itches very well, in my opinion. There are multiple levels (including bonus stages), and they become longer and longer (apparently these were originally individual flash games released from 2005-2015??) and incorporate new mechanics quite smoothly, in my opinion. At some points I got pretty stuck as this game REALLY twists your brain (at one point in the last level, which is SO long omg, I literally stopped playing completely and only returned months later. then I STILL couldn't figure it out and only eventually managed to progress by reading a guide. I still don't quite understand the logic to the solution >_<) and I also wouldn't have gotten all the achievements (unlocking the "monoliths" present in each level by [spoiler]finding little red dots scattered throughout the game[/spoiler]) without a walkthrough, as hard as I tried (see my massive playtime. I was VERY stuck hahah). The [spoiler]time-dimension-shifting mechanics[/spoiler] were a little confusing but there [i]was[/i] a logic to it. The small snippets of story were good imo! some things seemed a little unclear at points, but I suppose the [spoiler]time+space travel[/spoiler] aspects are to blame there, it gets a little confusing to think about. without spoiling too much, I liked the story and characters [spoiler]despite not ever meeting them, only their graves[/spoiler] :] I love how this game feels very lonely and existential at times to play, the music really adds to the atmosphere!! at the end (after unlocking all monoliths) the dialogue about [spoiler]the differences in the "data" lost and gained in archiving vs. drawing the map of the submachine[/spoiler] hit hard. in the age of generative ai, especially as an artist (REMINDER: AI "ART" ISN'T ART), it's so important to appreciate the human aspects of art. <3 and playing this game supports human art too!! it's all hand-drawn with great detail to the little things that make a world feel "real". so. play this game if what I have said so far sounds interesting to you. I truly think it will be worth your while and really leave an impression on you, as it did on me! :D p.s. specs are attached because the game ran pretty well on my laptop (makes sense if it's a former flash game series i suppose) and idk i just like ticking the little box next to the "attach pc specs to this review" option. what can i say hahahah

it's alright

I was so intrigued by the setting of this game series, and remember the list of Submachine games on the various flash game sites I would go through. I could never understand how to progress then. But I'm happy to fully finish this series now. Beautiful art and the feeling when exploring these various areas is incredible. I loved delving deeper and deeper throughout this world.

Have loved these games since they were on Flash, but never was able to play the last one till now. I'm very happy to own them myself now, and that you're working on another!

The submachine series was one of my favorite games from my childhood getting the remaster on steam was a a great day for me. I grew up on this ♥♥♥♥. Thank you Mateusz Skutnik!

Used to play the flash games as a kid. This is a really nice remake/remaster of the original games with enhanced graphics. The levels blend into one another beautifully. Playing each of them gives me the exact same feeling as when I was young. Submachine is such a great atmospheric game! The monolith achievements add even more little puzzles to explore which is especially nice for people already knowing the original games.

a classic, no notes

L'univers du jeu est incroyable. Si vous aimez les puzzles et la réflexion, je vous le recommande ! Ça fait une quinzaine d’années que je suis la série et ça reste excellent. Le fait que Mateusz transforme ses dessins en un jeu vidéo, c’est juste fou. Merci pour cette œuvre !

i really enjoyed this game - interesting story, puzzles, and i like the visuals. it was not what i expected but in the best way