Magrunner: Dark Pulse

 PC
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 72
  3. Negative: 13 out of 72

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  1. akarnokd
    Jun 23, 2013
    7
    Interesting puzzle game, with a few frustrations. Throughout the 2/3 of the game, the puzzles were surprisingly easy to figure out, with the learning curve gradually increasing. However, the last 1/3 is borderline frustrating and annoying sometimes: the difficulty jumps suddenly, and I died at least 100 times on the very same spot; bye bye no-death achievements. Another minor problem isInteresting puzzle game, with a few frustrations. Throughout the 2/3 of the game, the puzzles were surprisingly easy to figure out, with the learning curve gradually increasing. However, the last 1/3 is borderline frustrating and annoying sometimes: the difficulty jumps suddenly, and I died at least 100 times on the very same spot; bye bye no-death achievements. Another minor problem is that you can't jump while holding a large cube: which mechanically comes into play on 1-2 stages, but otherwise, too limiting. I haven't encountered any major bugs, but certain physics puzzles seem to react strangely on my ATI card (game uses PhysX). In addition, I think two of achievements are bugged, since I received them even by clearly violating the conditions. In summary, it's quite a refreshing game.… Expand
  2. angelikmayhem
    Jun 21, 2013
    5
    This game is weak.

    Magrunner: Dark Pulse is a 3D puzzle game/Portal clone. And they're very open about that. In this game, you have a magnetic glove that allows you to polarize various things around the room to solve the puzzle of how do you get from point A to point B. In between levels, you have to wait in this ridiculous staging area where you're forced to watch holographs that    This game is weak.

    Magrunner: Dark Pulse is a 3D puzzle game/Portal clone. And they're very open about that. In this game, you have a magnetic glove that allows you to polarize various things around the room to solve the puzzle of how do you get from point A to point B. In between levels, you have to wait in this ridiculous staging area where you're forced to watch holographs that serve as cutscenes when clearly they could have just had the audio running in the background while you solved the puzzles.

    Pros include good graphics and a slightly engaging story. The puzzles are very well conceived and very challenging; you may need a tutorial video or two to get through the whole game.

    Cons include framerate drops, a failure to understand that in physics opposites attract (in the game, it's the opposite), a really bent and absurd storyline, and painfully-long and cruel load times.

    I couldn't get over the failure of physics and the poor programming. For me, this one was a pass.    … Expand
  3. Duskspark
    Jun 28, 2013
    7
    "Magrunner: Dark Pulse" is a game that's based on magnetic puzzling. An interresting atmosphere and appealing visuals really lift this game up, but the utter feeling of a frip-off immediately drags it down. When we think of puzzle games, we automatically think of "Portal", and this game basically took everything from Portal. You have surfaces you can use and surfaces you can't, it goes"Magrunner: Dark Pulse" is a game that's based on magnetic puzzling. An interresting atmosphere and appealing visuals really lift this game up, but the utter feeling of a frip-off immediately drags it down. When we think of puzzle games, we automatically think of "Portal", and this game basically took everything from Portal. You have surfaces you can use and surfaces you can't, it goes into the same "destructed Aperture" feeling you had from Portal 2, and it even ventures into space. An enjoyable experience none the less, but I couldn't help but think I've seen it all before and done much better, too.… Expand
  4. xkdksk
    Jun 21, 2013
    7
    very brilliant leveling. I love it. Many game contents are creative to make me being immersed in this game. But the problem is that game is not kind. Some level is too hard and there is no hint. The most horrible one is there was no any tip or explanation what I have to do to prove puzzles. Control problem, of course, will be nightmare. I am sure you can be stuck although you already solvevery brilliant leveling. I love it. Many game contents are creative to make me being immersed in this game. But the problem is that game is not kind. Some level is too hard and there is no hint. The most horrible one is there was no any tip or explanation what I have to do to prove puzzles. Control problem, of course, will be nightmare. I am sure you can be stuck although you already solve and understand what you have to do. That make this game couldn't be one of best puzzle game.… Expand
  5. Qwertie
    Sep 20, 2014
    7
    At first I was pretty impressed with this game, even though the "magnetic technology" concept is unrelated to how magnetism actually works. It's a series of puzzles in fancy rooms and it's tempting to compare it to the Valve game Portal. While the Portal concept can't be beat, I hoped that Magrunner would have some fresh ideas, and I it does have a couple, although it's not the best puzzleAt first I was pretty impressed with this game, even though the "magnetic technology" concept is unrelated to how magnetism actually works. It's a series of puzzles in fancy rooms and it's tempting to compare it to the Valve game Portal. While the Portal concept can't be beat, I hoped that Magrunner would have some fresh ideas, and I it does have a couple, although it's not the best puzzle game around. But when you add its odd storyline, as a whole I found the game to be rather incoherent. The puzzles seem to have nothing to do with the storyline that emerges; it's hard to imagine any explanation for the existence of the puzzles you have to complete. I was disappointed by the ending, because it really explains nothing about what was happening throughout the game. But at least the environment and atmosphere were kind of neat (apart from some irritating and inappropriate "music" I felt forced to turn off in a couple of areas). The FOV can be changed, yay for that. I do recommend this game if the price tag isn't too high.… Expand
  6. Klewer
    Nov 11, 2020
    5
    A game in a similar vain of portal, it suffers from a weird story and clunky puzzles. The game has a solid base, but a lot of it feels under polished.
  7. Outlander999
    Nov 16, 2013
    7
    Magrunner is a pretty good first person puzzle, with Cthulhu Mythos influences. Not as good as Portal, but enough to deserve to be played. VIRTUALINN.IT
  8. rogermorse
    Aug 24, 2014
    7
    Nice ! The story is so so....but the puzzles are quite cool. Basically, mix the mechanics of Portal and Q.U.B.E. together, add Unreal Engine 3, try to put some crazy story together and you have magrunner.

    The magnet interactions were a nice change from the portals or the stuff you found in Quantum Conundrum. In a way, Magrunner is still different from all the others. It is no    Nice ! The story is so so....but the puzzles are quite cool. Basically, mix the mechanics of Portal and Q.U.B.E. together, add Unreal Engine 3, try to put some crazy story together and you have magrunner.

    The magnet interactions were a nice change from the portals or the stuff you found in Quantum Conundrum. In a way, Magrunner is still different from all the others. It is no masterpiece but it is definitely a good puzzle game. Enemies will also come in some levels to put you some pressure, and the puzzles change enough to keep you interested. The story though (if there is one) is what it is....but better than nothing I guess, and the game has still atmosphere and is polished enough to be enjoyed. 12 Hours to play everything and get every trophy. Get this cheap and go past the beginning that looks a bit lame. 72/100    … Expand
  9. bancandrei
    May 19, 2020
    5
    Poor man's portal. The story is pretty weak and it is presented in a very bad fashion. Puzzles could feed your appetite, but to me they were simply not fun. It would feel nice to encourage such a eclectic game (original would be going too far), but it's just not well realized and the aesthetic is not good either

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. XGN
    Nov 15, 2013
    80
    A great puzzle game, Magrunner challenges you step for step. The difficulty gradually gets more difficult and it takes a while before you see the end screen. With some rooms being without any addition, it feels a bit empty sometimes.
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  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 7, 2013
    80
    Have you heard from a little game called Portal? The guys at 3AM Games sure haven't, because Magrunner is almost an exact replica of the Valve's award-winning masterpiece. The portals are replaces with magnetism and the level design takes it's from Ctulhu mytology, but other than that, it's pure Portal from start to finish. [Aug 2013]
  3. PC PowerPlay
    Sep 25, 2013
    60
    Thematically undercooked, but this clever puzzler does feature progressively exciting level design. [Oct 2013, p.85]
See all critic reviews »