Amanita Design forum

From the puzzles to the visuals to the music to the animated interludes - I haven't played a game this exhilarating and enjoyable for many years. The last major release game I played that I truly enjoyed was Mirror's Edge but the story even let that one down. We need more independent games from people with brilliant ideas!

Thank you for making such an excellent game, I hope you all do really well.

I would have to disagree with you there, the game was decent, the crudeness of some of the sketches for the guide got to me, that and the music could have been better, I ended up turning on some of my own ambiance music instead. The story line is pretty generic and so I can't say it's that bad but I expected something a bit better then just Mario saving his girlfriend again. I do expect something better then flash in the next one as well. The flash environment made the controls, physics and movements of the game a bit annoying. Nothing that people haven't gotten use to but still never the less people don't pay 20 dollars to get use the annoying flash environment, although if people played the demo it was expected.

I feel like maybe you're expecting too much from it. I think it pushes the boundaries of what's seemed possible visually, in Flash. But I don't think it should be compared to high-end 3D games developed by huge companies. It's a small-scale, modest (but excellent) point-and-click adventure game, and as far as that goes, I feel like it was done really really well. I guess when a game is this intricate I don't really care about the story so much, but that's probably just me because I love the puzzle aspect and have since I was a little kid when I played games like The Neverhood and Toonstruck (which this seems to draw influence from). As far as the sound goes, I probably just disagree with you, I really enjoyed it. Didn't find the interface annoying either, again I thought it was well done.

Storylines are tough in games, particularly ones where the gameplay is so central to the experience. I like how 'backseat' the storyline is, it gives the game room to breathe without ruining it, which was kind of my problem with Mirror's Edge.

From what I've played so far, I'm going to have to agree with how great this game really is. I'm trying my hardest not to use the guide but it's definitely been a great challenge.

And to james, 20 bucks for this game is perfect for how creative it is when you think about people paying $60 for games like Batman: Arkham Asylum which only offers 8 hours or so of gameplay that is so linear and shortlived. The flash environment served perfectly the ideas and arstyle portrayed here. I'm happy to pay for this game, and more than happy to recommend it to people I know who love great puzzle games.

The flash environment has a lot of flaws in which are noticed by average users. A regular big company game is actually $40 dollars USD. It's not a bad thing to expect at least half the greatness from a big company game for half the price. The fact is that this game uses old technology which isn't a bad thing but when the old technology is flaw it needs to be changed or repaired. The images and sketches are a bit eye catching but the real thing that matters in a game is game play and story line. This game was par on each.

troll alert

What a delightful game!  I have tried to keep in touch with everything by, and related to, Amanita Design ever since I happened across Samarost 1 and fell in love.  I would have happily paid more than the $17 I prepaid a few months ago for Machinarium.  Amanita, your games in the Samorost, and now Machinarium, style are my absolute favorites out of ALL ;D the p and c adventure games I've played.  I hope you will continue to bring more of them to all your fans.  You can definitely count on me to buy every one you create.  Congratulations on another beautiful game.   

Why? he's just giving his opinion. Just because someone says something that isn't a positive reaction, doesn't make them a troll.

I can tell the troll when I see one. He creates controversy on purpose and he's hyperactive about it. He may be also an angry customer but he surely isn't honest.

This Game is well worth the money. Its unique style, the lack of copy protection, the stylish soundtrack and the hand drawn art, really makes it worth your while. The Puzzles are quite hard, but thats okay, i am taking my time with this one.

James, I find all of your criticisms appear to be made with your head up your arse.


I think they did an excellent job. No game will ever be to everybody's taste, but I enjoyed it for exactly what it was: A beautifully crafted, intelligently made labour of love.  Amanita Design isnt a big studio. They don't have a fraction of the budget EA might have, but already they have made something more refreshing and creative than most of their games.

One of the reasons you probably didnt enjoy the game because you obliterated it with your own music. How could you!

you used your own ambient music instead of the games own score?? the charms of this are obviously completely lost on you

I just got done playing the game yesterday night. I loved the game soundtrack; some pieces stood out more to me than others (like the Jazz tune from that robot band). I'm downloading the soundtrack right now. The story was simplistic, but I liked the execution. It was all explained in thought bubbles and flashbacks. Some of the puzzles were difficult, in spite of the shooter mini games (which I thought was a very cool idea to incorporate into the game), and I remember being frustrated at the game for a while before having to walk away. The 2nd arcade game took me all of 4 hours away from the pc before I finally got it. Nevertheless, if the puzzles weren't difficult, I wouldn't have walked away with a sense of satisfaction. Plus, if a game could get me worked up, that means I'm really into the game. The graphics were obviously spectacular. My only gripe would be the mouse controls (especially with the ball puzzle at the tower, where I had to drag the chain of balls. Sometimes they weren't responsive), but I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It was a good $17 well spent, and I'm definitely playing it all over again. I was a little sad that there was no credit roll at the end of the game; so I decided to register and say a big thank you to all those involved in this project. It was truly a remarkable game, and one that I'll definitely try to get all my other gamer friends to try. Thanks again for making such an awesome game!! I'm totally looking forward to what you guys come out with next!

I'm through too now and I agree it's a Masterpiece.
Length, Animations, Style, everything was excellent and contrary to other games you actually have to use your brain for many puzzles.
And as much as james troll's about, he's right about the Flash Enviroment. It has a few downsides like the missing rightclick which could have been used to put an item away with a single click and things like that, those little things that are the fault of Flash annoyed me too for a while but if you get around that you find yourself a game that can be appreciated in all other areas :)

This game is so perfect! Absolutely brilliant!

I wasn't too excited while playing the demo, I didn't like the thing that I had to scale the robot when I wanted to click on something, and that he has to stand next to objects in order to be able to click on them. I knew what to do, but it was quite difficult to do so. I tought to myself that Samorost2 was better. But when I started to play the full version, my jaw went down immediately. I quickly got used to the controls and it was a plasure to play. Great idea, executed to the smallest detail. Visuals are so nice that I saved some locations just to be able to see them later.. I have read some comments saying that this is one of the best games available, but for me this one IS the best. Thank you Amanita Design for your lovely work, I hope Machinarium will be commercially successful and you will make more games in future.

However, the game has one flaw - there is too many bugs I think, I finished the game with cat in my inventory:) and sometimes Josef the robot appeared on the screen twice. Also some hint bubbles showed the same thing even after completing it, or appeared out of the screen area. But nothing is perfect, I really like the game and recommend it to everyone.

Everything is excellent. It brought me a 5-hour beautiful trip. Please make Machinarium 2 and please make the puzzles much harder.

Agreed, enjoyed every second of it  :D

One of the best games I have ever played. Thanks Amanita  ;D

Wy make the puzzles harder when you have the book? Really in my opinion this game was fantastic in some aspects, but when it comes to puzzle dificult it disapoints me a bit :S. I didnt liked the fact that u can use that book to solve the puzzles, if there was no book the game could be more frustrating, but way more dificult and emense, like instead of taking 6 hours to finnish it you would take way more.

The general idea of the hintbook was in my opinion to make the game accessible to large audiences while keeping it challenging enough for even skilled players to enjoy. And they even added the annoying minigame to neutralize the eventuality of irrational choice to use the walkthrough too soon. If you're desperate enough to play through the minigame you would probably peek into some online walkthrough anyway. Which is an alternative connected with the unpleasant chance you'll (purposely or not) read more then you need. Honestly I think that Amanita chose the optimal path in this regard.

OK, i`m not throug yet, and i wanted not to watch this forum since im finished.

but truely: you amanita guys just kick me out of my socks. this is true art. and not only that the graphics are amazing (as we saw earlier) but also the gameplay, puzzles, logics, etc. are such well performed. simply the best game in this category ever played (after samarost)

I didn't use the hintbook to solve puzzles. Imho, the puzzles are still a little bit too straight forward even without the book. I love this game as a whole, but for the puzzle part I prefer Myst much more.

There's about as many people who find the puzzles a tad bit too easy as those who think they're a bit too hard. Knowing that it is impossible to please everyone I think Amanita Design have hit the right spot with this one :)

I agree. Best money I've spent on a game in a long time.

I've just finished the game and absolutely loved it! I thought that the difficulty level was pitched perfectly (for me at least!) as I frequently got stuck but when that happened I just walked away and came back later. It's amazing what a little break can do for the brain cells...

I think its greatest achievement is the completely cohesive world that is created. From the moment you first build your little robot and then through the simple but effective narrative that grows and grows I was utterly involved in this beautiful mechanical world.

The variety of the puzzles was impressive and I love that feeling that you'll never figure something out but eventually it clicks and you get a tremendous feeling of satisfaction. I would guess I finished the game in 6-8 hours and without any 'cheating' (just the occasional hint) but I'd be interested in how other people got on.


SPOILER ALERT

The only thing I found a bit 'odd' were moments such as the empty oil-can that you can kick (in the room after you escape), arcade machine 3 breaking down and the camera in the lift. They all initially appeared to be important/relevant but eventually proved not to be but maybe I just missed something? (And I guess you need a few misdirections in a point-and-click adventure.)

END OF SPOILER


Is there a mailing list where I can be kept up to date with future games from Amanita? I want to return to this world and to be in it for twice as long! (And for half the price...  ;))

Thanks for this amazing game.

   
Good evening,

I pre-ordered this game in its opening pre-order, there is already a long time, knowing that I did not know much about him.

And now that I could play, I can tell, this game is perfect! The soundtrack, graphics, universe, atmosphere, everything is perfect and sublime. In addition, this game is mesmerizing.

The creator of this topic is quite right;

Machinarium is a Masterpiece.

Thank you to Amanita Design for this game that ranks alongside the best.

[Sorry for my bad english, i'm french ^^']

I love this game too  ;D

I'm not even good at point and click games, but this one (and the Samorosts) are wonderful!

Batman: Arkham Asylum was quite good as well. I personally thought machinarium was better but the name is a bitch to spell and ending was a bit... stop. But these are very minor complaints. I think that Eufloria will be 2nd for my personal indie game chart. This will be my first.

i agree, a masterpiece,a beautiful journey into imagination and i dont regret the money spend it,its well worth it,nowadays everything is about which machine can stand the best technology in graphics,but machinarium touchs our heart,and make us smile and dream,an having fun,thats all about a game should do.

 ;) :D

A game not in 3D ! if only there could be more of them
Much a do about nothing with the flash engine. When you master a technology, you can make arts.
Awaking game like this is so rare, thanx for reminding me I have a brain and a heart
Never forget this : this game is for every one, my dog seems to love it too, even if he play it on a PC.
Interest in point and clic game will never die. It's a master genre by itself.
Total art is when you can manage a vision on a project and have the process to accomplish it.
Amanita is still a little structure. hope this game will help them to grow a little further.
           
                                 Peace.

Guys...this game is absolutely amazing!!!
The sound effects and the music themes are very good, the entire enviroment is pure art...I really like the atmosphere and the enigmas are so ingenious.
I have to agree, this is a masterpiece and I wish you to sell more and more copies of this game, you deserve it.
I'm proud of this purchase and I'm doing a bit of marketing among my friends and it could be 2 or more new fans of Machinarium :P


PS: I've played a lot of recent and old videogames and this will be surely one of my favourite

Absolutely ingenious game!!!
Guys, you make me happy first time since old-good dos Goblins 1 & 2 !
THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS!!

This is the first game i was playing in 2009, and first game in my life for which i will pay money.

Really beautiful... just want to heap on some more praise and say I really enjoyed this.

It's like owning several gorgeous works of art that, magically, you can also interact with. ;o)
And the music is simply fantastic.
Thanks, Amanita Design.

Brilliant! Thank you very much to the makers of Machinarium. Felt compelled to join the forum just to add kudos. Well done, and may many more come from your studio. Thank you.

Ok, brilliant game.
Puzzles always make a lot of sense.
The graphics differs from Samorost games but are still beautiful as usual.
Floex = so genius.
And the game has a subtle humor as well, which I like a lot.
Congratulation ! :D

I have never been so amazed by any game since the DOS days. Almost everything there, the graphics, music, the puzzles, is a masterpiece. I'm looking forward to Machinarium 2. :)

I've just finished the game, and I am absolutely floored.  This is quite simply one of the best games I've played.  The artwork and gameplay are excellent, and then there's the soundtrack, which is just beautiful.  Amanita should be charging more, it was totally worth the $20.

BTW, the character animations crack me up... the first time the little robot slid down a banister rather than taking the stairs I literally LOL'ed.  ;D  The character mannerisms were spot-on, and really added to the overall feel of the game.  Fantastic.  :)  I also I love the little dance he does if you pause to listen to the musicians' tune.

Please make more!  ;D

I have to agree, this is one of the best games I've played in years. The artwork was beautiful, and the soundtrack better then I've heard in a long while, my only criticism being that it's influences were a little obvious and occasionally it looped too frequently. I thought the storyline was actually rather imaginative. The theme may have been a cliche but the journey was anything but, and the child-like atmosphere was part of the appeal. While I can understand people's dislike for the flash environment, once i'd remembered not to right click, I didn't really notice it. I think the fact that it enables this sort of artist-driven development can only be a positive.

There are niggles of course. Occasionally, even if you know the solution to a puzzle, you get stuck simply by standing in slightly the wrong place. This happened to me twice, and both times i eventually went for the hintbook and discovered I'd already worked out the solution. This would be fine, but in one case I accidentally saw more then was neccessary, spoiling a rather ingeneous puzzle. Having said that, this is a problem that has plagued adventures since the "KILL TROLL" "HIT TROLL WITH CLUB" "COSH TROLL" "BASH TROLL ON HEAD" days so complaining is perhaps slightly churlish. It's a short game, took only a couple of evenings to complete. On the other hand it's cheap, so again it's hard to find fault. In summary, all the thumbs are heading skyward.

I've finished it yesterday evening: really an amazing game!!! I've already said what I think in an older post, great job guys.
I have to admit that now i'm a bit sad without Machinarium and its characters  ;D

Bye bye

Just registered so I could say thank you to Amanita for this wonderful piece of art. The visuals, the sound design, the music, the gameplay...a delight at every turn. I've loved all your work, but this is a masterpiece.

^--- this. Thank you for your hard work in creating an amazing game. I would pre-order the sequel without hesitation.