Machinarium

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 742 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 619 out of 742
  2. Mixed: 97 out of 742
  3. Negative: 26 out of 742

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  1. JohnB
    Nov 6, 2009
    9
    A truly exceptional piece of work that proves that all you need to compete with big-budget graphics are a few talents artists and some big ideas. A wonderfully crafted tale with plenty of heart-warming moments. It stumbles with minor technical limitations and a handful of infuriating puzzles but is carried by the strength of it's vision.
  2. MicaelS
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    Beautiful scenes, drawn by artists with an eye for charming details. An adventure without death and shooting. Just the good guy trying to find his friend and helping others along the way. Nice. I love it.
  3. TylerD
    Nov 1, 2009
    10
    Incredible atmosphere, puzzles and artwork. This is one of the the best adventure games I've played in years.
  4. Gabriel
    Oct 23, 2009
    10
    Fantastic game! Point and click adventure with superb art and clever puzzles, a pitty it's a bit too short, but it's worth every praise.
  5. Bill
    Oct 24, 2009
    10
    Amazing game, artistically as well as strategically. It's an adventure, puzzle, and exploration game all in one. Totally unique, never seen anything like it before! I HIGHLY recommend, best buy ever.
  6. BobJ
    Oct 30, 2009
    10
    This game had fantastic visuals and was one of the most challenging point and click adventures I have ever played. I give it a ten!
  7. CallumS
    Nov 12, 2009
    8
    A very beautiful game that takes me back to my childhood playing monkey island and full throttle. The puzzles are not that difficult as you are only allowed to move within small areas so items and objectives are easy to see. I was trying too hard with some puzzles as more information was given than needed to complete them. Also most of the puzzles are very similar, in that you look at a A very beautiful game that takes me back to my childhood playing monkey island and full throttle. The puzzles are not that difficult as you are only allowed to move within small areas so items and objectives are easy to see. I was trying too hard with some puzzles as more information was given than needed to complete them. Also most of the puzzles are very similar, in that you look at a control panel on the wall and have to move lights/beads from a to b in a certain way. The main gripe would be the control system, you're only allowed to interact with items that are close to you. Being used to other game controls I constantly tried to click objects with inventory items half way across the screen and nothing happening. This resulted in me trying to right click to place the item back into inventory but this brings up the flash menu and slows the game down for a few seconds (a limitation with flash however). So then you have to move you cursor to the top of the screen place the item back, walk over to the object, get the item out again and then use it. I just can… Expand
  8. MarkM
    Dec 31, 2009
    9
    This game is a masterpiece of art, music, and comedy. I love the little things the robot does to make me laugh, sometimes randomly. Machinarium is full of suprises, at least for the first playthrough. But even after that it should be enjoyable to play just for the artistic detail. The puzzles are balanced and enjoyable, and there is nothing wrong with having a few puzzles that stump you. This game is a masterpiece of art, music, and comedy. I love the little things the robot does to make me laugh, sometimes randomly. Machinarium is full of suprises, at least for the first playthrough. But even after that it should be enjoyable to play just for the artistic detail. The puzzles are balanced and enjoyable, and there is nothing wrong with having a few puzzles that stump you. Once you figure those out, you realize the answer was right there. So difficulty really depends on your state of thinking. I don't have a problem playing this game in Window Mode; but, I gave the game a 9, because it lags in full screen. I have a widescreen 1440x900, which it probably wasn't formated for, but I'm not complaining.… Expand
  9. DaveS
    Oct 19, 2009
    10
    Perhaps one of the best true point and click adventures since the likes of The Neverhood and Grim Fandago. Unique and charming, this games really draws you in to it's surreal world of hand drawn robots and incredible backgrounds. Shame its not longer.
  10. JoeP
    Nov 16, 2009
    10
    Incredible game. It easily made it into my top five in my 20 years of gaming. Very nice graphic, perfect soundtrack and a first: It's a game you want to win mostly because you like the characters.
  11. edied
    Dec 28, 2009
    10
    This is an exceptional game, full of mind-benders and gorgeous cityscapes. Best of all: it has a real (and touching) plot that makes the little robots seem more human than many other game characters I've encountered. The lack of words was refreshing, and the gameplay was even more satisfying than my first encounter with Myst back in the 90s. Get this game today and support some This is an exceptional game, full of mind-benders and gorgeous cityscapes. Best of all: it has a real (and touching) plot that makes the little robots seem more human than many other game characters I've encountered. The lack of words was refreshing, and the gameplay was even more satisfying than my first encounter with Myst back in the 90s. Get this game today and support some awesome designers with a bright future!… Expand
  12. gamer1234
    Nov 11, 2012
    10
    One of the best games I have ever played. Possibly the best graphical adventure game I have seen. Beautiful artwork, challenging puzzles, great music, touching characters and story. A lot of care went into this. I wish there were more games as good as this. That said, I ended up playing this longer on the Android tablet version than the PC version - despite a few minor bugs in the AndroidOne of the best games I have ever played. Possibly the best graphical adventure game I have seen. Beautiful artwork, challenging puzzles, great music, touching characters and story. A lot of care went into this. I wish there were more games as good as this. That said, I ended up playing this longer on the Android tablet version than the PC version - despite a few minor bugs in the Android version it seems more suited to that format.… Expand
  13. Nalsii
    Dec 31, 2011
    10
    I loved it. Beuatiful art style, no text dialogues, great puzzles. Reminds me a lot of Neverhood. Have finished it without using a single hint. Limbo+Sequence+Machinarium = Indie Supergames. Enough said.
  14. GolovA
    Aug 4, 2011
    10
    Amazing game!
    Just play the demo and you'll be hooked!
    The developers went really far in this adventure - the artwork is amazing and unique, sound is professional done, with some of the best sound tracks you'll encounter, the story is so cute, and the puzzles never reach the "insanely hard and ridiculous" mode :)
    Strongly recommend - even if you have never played an Adventure / Quest genre before.
  15. MaxGokue
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    My most favourite game ever. Such an amazing environment with cool puzzles, and best of all an super cool story, i wish that the developer continue making games like this, the world need em, i want em.
  16. krise
    Jan 21, 2010
    10
    Wonderfully artistic with extreme detail, lovable characters and interesting puzzles which clue you to the next level. Absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait for Amanita Design's next adventure.
  17. SiL
    Dec 29, 2009
    9
    A wonderful game. Wom Bat's score is unfair. Flash began it's life as an interactive animation engine. This game is therefore well suited to Flash. And you know that if your PC can load Flash, you can play this game. No crazy system requirements! Plus it's multiplatform. It's inexpensive, lovingly crafted and nicely balanced. You can try a demo on the creator's A wonderful game. Wom Bat's score is unfair. Flash began it's life as an interactive animation engine. This game is therefore well suited to Flash. And you know that if your PC can load Flash, you can play this game. No crazy system requirements! Plus it's multiplatform. It's inexpensive, lovingly crafted and nicely balanced. You can try a demo on the creator's website, and if you enjoy it, buy and play immediately. It's a pleasure to give a small sum of money directly to those who spent so many hours to deliver such a beautiful experience. Games like this will change the world. With all the hating on our medium, having just one newspaper editor play this in their spare time might change the way they report on games - this is art pure and simple.… Expand
  18. WillB
    Dec 17, 2009
    10
    Pure class. From the artwork to the music and animation Machinarium oozes style. The puzzles are expertly crafted and balanced at just the right difficulty. Its obvious that a lot of time and effort has gone into this game. What with all the hype surrounding big money games like COD4:MW2 and the like I'm just glad games like this are still being made. A rare treat.
  19. Olly
    Aug 24, 2010
    10
    Fantastic music, beautiful art, charm in spadefuls mean that otherwise frustratingly difficult puzzles are just a reason to sit and have an assault on your senses. Not only that, you're free to look at the solution if you get too annoyed, though if you do solve them you'll be grinning from the genius of it for ages.
  20. killswitch1968
    Oct 23, 2009
    7
    Machinarium is a competent adventure game that does a lot of things right. The art work is gorgeous and the storyline, while simple, is delivered completely without dialogue in a wholly endearing manner. The sounds and awkward movements from the in-game robots are fantastic. The puzzles themselves are somewhat hit and miss. Many people have said this game is too hard, but for most Machinarium is a competent adventure game that does a lot of things right. The art work is gorgeous and the storyline, while simple, is delivered completely without dialogue in a wholly endearing manner. The sounds and awkward movements from the in-game robots are fantastic. The puzzles themselves are somewhat hit and miss. Many people have said this game is too hard, but for most adventure game vets there will probably only be a couple areas that you will struggle. My biggest gripe with the game are how so many of the puzzles are little more than mini-games a la Chinese puzzles. There are at least 10 puzzles that look like flash games you'd on the internet. They don't mesh with the story, and exist in their own little vacuum. The number of well done in-game puzzles because substantially less after taking this into account. The interface is another issue. The game is written completely in flash. You won't be able to use an item or interact with the environment unless you are standing right next to the object in question. That is, you won't get a cursor indicator letting you know that the object is interactable. This creates a huge problem where you swear you had tried to perform the correct action but you couldn't work with the interface to accomplish said task. All in all, for an independent game it is extremely well done. It installs very easily with no DRM, and all the files in-game are 1s and 0s, even the extensions! Other than some deficiencies in gameplay, it is indeed a triumph.… Expand
  21. Trashware
    Sep 22, 2011
    9
    It's good to see that this game has been recieved so well as it has, cause it's absolute worth the credit. The art style, the adorable robot characters, the clear, mute dialogues still able to convey a nice storyline, the fun puzzles that are to be solved.. Well, all has been said by now so there's nothing left for you but to get this game. And while your at it, also take a look at theIt's good to see that this game has been recieved so well as it has, cause it's absolute worth the credit. The art style, the adorable robot characters, the clear, mute dialogues still able to convey a nice storyline, the fun puzzles that are to be solved.. Well, all has been said by now so there's nothing left for you but to get this game. And while your at it, also take a look at the somewhat overlooked Samorost series, I think you'll find quite some resemblance.… Expand
  22. thinktankak69
    Jul 11, 2012
    8
    What a ripper of a game, normally not my type of thing, but they have nailed it. The whole thing is put together really well, clever puzzles and amazing aesthetics is the going experience. The great art direction does a good job of hinting just enough on what to do next, and if you do get stuck they have incorporated a mini game which takes about a minute to complete to have a peak at aWhat a ripper of a game, normally not my type of thing, but they have nailed it. The whole thing is put together really well, clever puzzles and amazing aesthetics is the going experience. The great art direction does a good job of hinting just enough on what to do next, and if you do get stuck they have incorporated a mini game which takes about a minute to complete to have a peak at a comic style set of pictures nudging you on what you should be doing. The only thing is would say was a disappointment was the length, if only the game was longer . It set out to do what it wanted to and i think the length was decent for what the game actually is, but i enjoyed it so much that i wanted more!… Expand
  23. fartheststar
    Jul 24, 2012
    5
    The good: Art is great. Whimsical animations. Music. The story. I cared about the little robot.

    The problem: Game is frustrating by arbitrariness of puzzles - just jumping through hoops to get to the next puzzle. Alternate solutions are not possible. You must solve a certain puzzle a certain way to progress. You'll probably use HELP alot. That said I give it 5 because it did drive    The good: Art is great. Whimsical animations. Music. The story. I cared about the little robot.

    The problem: Game is frustrating by arbitrariness of puzzles - just jumping through hoops to get to the next puzzle. Alternate solutions are not possible. You must solve a certain puzzle a certain way to progress. You'll probably use HELP alot. That said I give it 5 because it did drive me to finish it, and I did keep trying to play the puzzles despite frustration. But what it does is force you to become hyper aware of everything on the screen, and to just let your mind float into some odd abstract solution. It's almost like if you focus too hard on some of the problems you can't solve them because the solutions are often bizarre. But if you view this game as a weird exercise in pushing buttons in machine with alot of moving parts that aren't supposed to make sense, but where you watch and get feedback by trial and error, just trying random things sometimes to see what happens - then you might be able to enjoy this.

    I give it 5 because it does have something about it that makes you want to finish it. I don't know if I'd call it fun - but it is a curiosity. And again - the art really is nice.    … Expand
  24. tech-noir
    Jan 14, 2012
    5
    The first thing you will notice is that this is bare bones Flash. Right clicking the screen will show you Flash settings. It very much has a feel of a browser game, through and through. The game does not automatically disable the screensaver, nor does it allow you to alt-tab out of it without locking up in full screen. The only way to get back into the game is to end its process in TaskThe first thing you will notice is that this is bare bones Flash. Right clicking the screen will show you Flash settings. It very much has a feel of a browser game, through and through. The game does not automatically disable the screensaver, nor does it allow you to alt-tab out of it without locking up in full screen. The only way to get back into the game is to end its process in Task Manager. Even without those problems, the game will lock up itself, for no apparent reason whatsoever. These lock-ups happen so frequently, that it requires an immense amount of patience to play this game. The only way I was able to stop this massive problem was by running the game in windowed mode. Even though you can select for the display to be full screen, that is not accurate, nor is it true. The developer's version of full screen means the game will still take up a small area of your screen, and will be surrounded by a large black area. The gameplay is of traditional point and click adventure games of the past, with pixel hunting for actions and puzzle solving for mechanics. All puzzles appear to be logical, and will require the expected amount of thinking to resolve them, with the occasionally extreme venture in trial and error. The music is okay and fits the setting well. This soundtrack has been revered around gaming circles, and I deem it to be bland, uninspired, overrated, and even depressing at times. The art design is interesting and unique, but many games of the genre in today's day and age (and of the past) are also comparable in art quality. Machinarium does not bring anything new or different to the point and click adventure genre. This game is for those who like or love the style and genre. For someone like me, who has been out of practice from the point and click adventure genre, this game is difficult to complete without any help. This setback is to be expected due to the genre. The ending leaves a lot to be desired, and it's actually a disappointment. Overall, I would only recommend Machinarium to fans of the genre, as there is really not much to the experience. In addition, there is zero replayability, and the game's length is not reminiscent of the original 90s hits.… Expand
  25. phischphood
    Jul 9, 2011
    4
    This game is a souped up Flash game. It is cute and the music is suitable and fun at times. However I feel I'm often reduced to clicking on random objects to figure out what I'm supposed to do. There's an option to see a walkthrough for the current area, which is a must for this game to be playable, but you have to play a side scrolling shooter mini game to unlock it. I don't like readingThis game is a souped up Flash game. It is cute and the music is suitable and fun at times. However I feel I'm often reduced to clicking on random objects to figure out what I'm supposed to do. There's an option to see a walkthrough for the current area, which is a must for this game to be playable, but you have to play a side scrolling shooter mini game to unlock it. I don't like reading the whole walkthrough, just the steps I need to get me a bit further. Unfortunately every time you open the walkthrough, even for the same screen, you have to do this damn shooter thing. This game is so annoying, it drove me to stop playing and sign up to metacritic just to write this review!!!

    On the other hand, it's a nice concept and I enjoyed it for the first hour or so.    … Expand
  26. CRL
    Aug 31, 2011
    1
    Yes. The visuals are amazingly vivid and beautiful. Yes. The music is fantastic. News flash: I don't buy a game because of it's visuals and music, for that I buy a documentary about Italy. I buy a game for a fun and interesting experience, and on that front this was quite frankly a waste of money. Each puzzle is either completely obvious or so ridiculous that you need to resort toYes. The visuals are amazingly vivid and beautiful. Yes. The music is fantastic. News flash: I don't buy a game because of it's visuals and music, for that I buy a documentary about Italy. I buy a game for a fun and interesting experience, and on that front this was quite frankly a waste of money. Each puzzle is either completely obvious or so ridiculous that you need to resort to the little walkthrough minigame to find the answer. Then, if you actually want to gain some satisfaction by completing a puzzle, the only solution is to randomly click on every possibly object that could be used in said puzzle. Also, it would have been nice to know that deleting flash cookies would clear all saves too... but apparently that's not important enough for the fine print. And there is no way anyone should be able to charge $10 for a game so obscenely boring and eventually extremely annoying.… Expand
  27. WomBat
    Dec 6, 2009
    3
    This is a just a Flash based game, so you can forget about things like selective screen resolution or even a gaming engine. I would have appreciated being told it was Flash when I bought it on Steam. In my opinion it's not worth the money. Using a mouse to find hotspots is not unlike a web based flash game, and that;s where this game should be... on the web, not as an application for This is a just a Flash based game, so you can forget about things like selective screen resolution or even a gaming engine. I would have appreciated being told it was Flash when I bought it on Steam. In my opinion it's not worth the money. Using a mouse to find hotspots is not unlike a web based flash game, and that;s where this game should be... on the web, not as an application for sale along side real games. Not happy at all.… Expand
  28. JimCorbett
    Jul 23, 2012
    2
    I can easily describe this game with the word "boring." The graphics are unique, sure, but just about everything else in the game is sub-par. Unless you are the kind of person that is a die hard point and click game lover, then I highly recommend you steer far clear of this title.
  29. MattS
    Dec 7, 2009
    7
    I wanted to love this game from the very beginning...the artwork...the music...beautiful. But, underneath this skin deep illusion is a game that is flawed by attempts to make obscurity and complexity, elements of mystery for solving and it simply doesn't work. I only made it about halfway through the game before giving up in sheer frustration at the amount of effort going into I wanted to love this game from the very beginning...the artwork...the music...beautiful. But, underneath this skin deep illusion is a game that is flawed by attempts to make obscurity and complexity, elements of mystery for solving and it simply doesn't work. I only made it about halfway through the game before giving up in sheer frustration at the amount of effort going into retracing my steps and missing clues that were half a game away. So, +1 for the incredible artwork, +1 for the clever and haunting music,and +1 for a couple of very funny moments, -1 for an awkward supporting UI and a big -5 for the game itself. What Machinarium has done is remind me of my past and a game called Myst that was also beautiful and haunting and ultimately too smart for its own good.… Expand
  30. HarryWebbinger
    Aug 8, 2011
    10
    It´s a game full of atmosphere & lovely figures. One of the few I´m really proud I played to the end and solved all puzzled without cheating. But it needed a time till i found out, that the book gives recommendation to the puzzles. Maybe the best game ever ! I hope there will be anther like it. But it´ll be not beatable...
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best PC Game of 2009
24
#24 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
44
#44 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 47 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 47
  3. Negative: 0 out of 47
  1. Edge Magazine
    80
    But the puzzles themselves are nearly an unmitigated joy.
    Read full review
  2. games(TM)
    90
    Remakes and IP revivals may be raking in the big bucks at the moment, but this artistically unique original is the game that really deserves your love and respect. [Nov 2009, p.106]
  3. Eurogamer
    80
    Machinarium is a treat for the senses that demands more of your brain, a paradoxically gentle yet punishing riff on a genre that, until now, had been revived but sadly defanged for modern players.
    Read full review
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