Cloud Chamber

 PC
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. God is a Geek
    Aug 20, 2014
    90
    Not all of the acting is perfect, admittedly, and the audio presentation won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but when it works Cloud Chamber is an absorbing, massive, occasionally unsettling, but absolutely compelling experiment in community narrative investigation.
  2. DarkStation
    Oct 2, 2014
    80
    It’s fair to say Cloud Chamber is a very specific type of game for a very specific type of gamer. It’s also fair to say that Cloud Chamber is one of the most original experiences I’ve had in a very long time, and joins games like Gone Home as it borders the line between game and interactive story.
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    Aug 12, 2014
    80
    Right now, as it stands, Cloud Chamber is an impressively grand experiment that’s well worth your time and money. If this seems up your alley, don’t wait — get into it while the getting is good.
  5. Slant Magazine
    Aug 8, 2014
    80
    The result is both fascinating and frustrating, though the innovative presentation, in which the data points are rendered on a "landscape metaphor" that scatters them (elevating by importance) across through physical and abstract areas, keeps things on the positive end of the spectrum.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 24, 2014
    75
    Agatha Christie likes it very much.
  7. SpazioGames
    Sep 16, 2014
    75
    Cloud Chamber offers an unusual experience: the fulcrum is not the story itself, but the active collaboration between the users, that delivers a truly adventure MMO experience. Until the story will entertain the players, and the spoilers will be avoided, the game can be considered as a good experiment.
  8. Softpedia
    Aug 26, 2014
    70
    Another aspect that might not fly well is the fact that the game is overly reliant on peer approval, making it seem like more of a Kim Kardashian fan club than a crowdsourced mystery investigation from time to time, where everyone is saying something just to be a part of the discussions.
  9. PC Gamer
    Aug 14, 2014
    64
    An innovative format for a mystery but lacking in story and performances, and overly reliant on peer approval.
  10. GameWatcher
    Aug 18, 2014
    60
    There's just so little to do, and if you don't like commenting on videos you won't see anything here but a bunch of crazy confusing videos. Lovely idea, not for me or people like me, but a community of people already love it so feel free to ignore me and give it a go.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 6 out of 29
  1. Fereldin
    Aug 12, 2014
    10
    After having spent over 40 hours playing Cloud Chamber and completing it, I decided it was time to write a more comprehensive review.

    The    After having spent over 40 hours playing Cloud Chamber and completing it, I decided it was time to write a more comprehensive review.

    The basic premise is that you navigate through a three-dimensional representation of a database, investigating the actions of a scientist and her associates at a research laboratory based out of Denmark. As you discover more information and unlock additional sections or nodes, more questions and answers surface, building a massive web of evidence composed of screenshots, video diaries, e-mail messages, transcripts from scientists, and so forth.

    What is amazing about the story is that the science is all based on today's knowledge - it's not this unbelievable extraordinary science-fiction story, but one based entirely on science-fact, psychology, and philosophy. You don't collect data or evidence in a physical manner, but you do discuss what you've found with other players in the game, using an in-game forum where up and down-voting is encouraged. Contributing comments, new posts, or replies creates more discussion, and eventually through your contributions, you unlock new venues of information and evidence. As you progress through the 10 chapters, you weave through a complex web of information and clues that only serve to further your addiction and desire for more of the plot.

    I've been glued to Cloud Chamber since it released, and I've been highly engaged in the story line. Although I consider myself to have considerable knowledge of Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Particle physics, Cloud Chamber has given me new perspective on recent theories that the scientific community is encroaching upon. I've learned several new things, and it's been a real pleasure to carry on discourse with other players, like-minded folk, and those who are curious and want to learn more! As such, this is almost an educational title; I guarantee you that by the time you finish the main story line, you will have a much greater understanding of the micro and macroscopic (without providing spoilers).

    I was pleased to read that the developer was entertaining the concept of creating additional content, in the form of 'new seasons'. Once you finish the title, you definitely thirst for more! This title has been the best $17 I've spent on entertainment in years. The idea of an interactive feature-film with social network attached, is an insanely brilliant and novel idea!

    In regards to the production values and cast, I love all the actors thus far and find that the casting was executed perfectly for Cloud Chamber. They have believable reactions, emotions, fears, but behave as I would under their pressure. You really feel like you're a part of the story, and not just a spectator. Videos shot for the title aren't borne of shaky-cam sequences with bad audio; it's clear that the developer, 'Investigate North', hired a professional film crew with solid Directing and a strong Producer.

    I read in the game's official forums that the value you get from the game is quite high compared to the cost to the end-user. Essentially, you get the value of an IMAX Film with a bag of popcorn -- except with the ability to interact, reverse, rewind, fast-forward, pause, zoom-in and out, all the evidence to try to reveal far more info than you could from a 90-minute theater film, with which you can then discuss with people in almost real-time what you personally took-away from the scene, and see if your perspective and understanding matches those around you.

    Involving and integrating social media and discourse converts it from a 2 player 'Clue' game to a super-charged 50,000 player investigation game. If you're curious, aren't afraid to post your observations no matter how silly/simple or super complex and extraordinary they may seem, you'll get far in Cloud Chamber. The title rewards those that are curious, investigative, and contribute, and that can either be by posting your perspective, or commenting and up-voting someone else's opinion. Have no fear, new players coming-in today to the game won't be greeted by a game that "has already been discovered and spoiled", according to other negative reviews I've read elsewhere. Even if you've completed the initial story line, you can go back to the game to see what other ideas people have posted; to glean more info and perhaps formulate a better understanding of the 'end-game'.

    As for the Score, the soundtrack really made it for me; I was already glued to the story line, but the music just cemented the whole experience for me. A combination of Electronic, Trance, and Progressive from the likes of Burial, Trentemøller, Lulu Rouge, Nero, and many others; I desperately searched for an official soundtrack, but thanks to the developer and other players in the discussion forums, we were able to put a playlist together and I've since obtained my favorite tracks from official sources.

    This is one developer I'll be keeping tabs on!    … Full Review »
  2. majestic7
    Aug 12, 2014
    10
    Cloud Chamber uses the interactive entertainment medium in an innovative way, blending high quality video, audio, images and documents withCloud Chamber uses the interactive entertainment medium in an innovative way, blending high quality video, audio, images and documents with user interaction to create an interesting new way of storytelling.… Full Review »
  3. Gr3ylok
    Aug 13, 2014
    9
    From the beginning Cloud Chamber has introduced me to a new form of gaming, it's an immersive play style that captivates its players into anFrom the beginning Cloud Chamber has introduced me to a new form of gaming, it's an immersive play style that captivates its players into an intelligently designed world. The community as a whole is great, I doubt you will find many other communities that present themselves to be this "unified" and who have achieved so much in such a brief time.

    The developers (Investigate North Aps) have expressed a keen interest in involving themselves within the community, to the benefit of improving the game, through integrating the thoughts and ideas of community members. I was surprised that the development team did work so effectively and efficiently in such a short time to overcome any quandaries that community member have faced and have already began to make improvements to Cloud Chamber.

    The creative team behind all this is also very active within the community, answering questions, discussing improvements. I have found that they are not only working for the progress of the game, but also express an extremely friendly and dedicated passion towards the entirety of the community.
    Investigate North have proven that they are not money orientated nor avaricious, I truly get the feeling that they want to please us in any way or form they can and believe me, they do.

    The game can be slow or fast-paced, it's what you make of it. Whenever I find a new clue I'll drown myself into research about said clue, while others go through it at a much faster pace, you can play this game the way you like.

    The game can be slow or fast-paced, it can be tailored to your play style, and it's whatever you make it. For instance whenever I find a new clue, I'll drown myself into research about said clue, while others go through it at a much faster pace, you can play this game the way you like. That being said I find that the game urges me to play more and more as I progress, as with this type of game you would believe that it can become repetitive, however through every single event of playing Cloud Chamber, I have felt that the story has only pulled me in deeper and deeper.

    Personally I stopped reading comments from other players, first I write my own speculations down and only after that I start reading what other players have to say. Which is often jawdropping due to the higher levels of intelligence I have witnessed within the community. I have witnessed that everyone has their own unique way of developing and concluding the ideas and evidence they have found from the events within Cloud Chamber, not only this, but I find that it is beneficial being able to compare and contrast my ideas with that of others, making the communal aspect of Cloud Chamber an integral but also distinctive part of the game.

    This is not your average gaming experience, trolls, racism and swearing do not exist here, instead Cloud Chamber pertains to a much more mature audience, in which I can work together with people who also want to dedicate themselves to an enhanced gaming experience. That's something I rarely see in any type of game and it's what sets Cloud Chamber a universe apart(pun intended) from the rest.

    In the end I'd like to suggest this game to any person that likes to think, re-think and think some more. Space enthusiasts, Indie lovers, sci-fi fans, fantasy geeks, daydreamers, philosophers and just most gamers in general are up for a treat with this little gem.

    Storyline (so far) 9/10 (I'd love to give a 10, but there's always room for improvement in any game).
    Graphics/Visuals 8/10 Original, never seen anything quite like it.
    Audio 8/10 It's either your taste or it isn't, nonetheless it's great and really adds to the experience.
    Community 9/10 As mentioned before, the community is one of the best I've ever encountered.
    Innovation 10/10 For an Indie developer to take such "risk" shows balls, and it turned out they've put their money on the right bet.

    As a last note, the game requires Quicktime (mentioned on the storepage) which many people didn't realize.    … Full Review »
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