MIND: Path to Thalamus

 PC
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Telegraph
    Aug 15, 2014
    100
    For a game made by a team of any size, Mind: Path to Thalamus would be incredibly impressive. For a game made by such a small independent team, it's a masterstroke. Stunning, intelligent, fun, with wonderful puzzle mechanics and a thought provoking denouement, Mind: Path to Thalamus is a game that deserves to be remembered for a long time to come.
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 18, 2015
    85
    Nice, surrealistic puzzle game. [Feb 2015]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Games.cz
    Oct 15, 2014
    80
    A walk through the human soul could not be portrayed any better. Mind is an original nice-looking puzzle game, and if you make sense of the meaning of tasks, then the game is quite playable. It would have been perfect, if it was programmed slightly better.
  5. XGN
    Aug 27, 2014
    80
    This is not the biggest game ever, but the price is not too big either. This game will take you about six to seven hours and there is some additional gameplay, so it is definitely worth trying.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Aug 18, 2014
    80
    If this is what the protagonist's world looks like, no wonder he hasn't yet woken up from his coma.
  7. Hooked Gamers
    Aug 15, 2014
    80
    Exploration is its defining quality, even as the puzzle solving elevates above other exploratory games. For this reason, Mind: Path to Thalamus is an easy recommendation, even if its story falls a little short. This is a game that should be experienced.
  8. 3DJuegos
    Aug 12, 2014
    80
    A great "adventure puzzle game" with strong narrative and beautiful art.
  9. Eurogamer Italy
    Aug 11, 2014
    80
    Remarkably well made with respect to graphics and visuals design, MIND: Path to Thalamus also offers more than decent puzzles, a nice story and a great overall atmosphere. Well worth the money despite the four hours needed to clear it and its low replay value.
  10. Gameblog.fr
    Aug 11, 2014
    80
    This game is not perfect. But it's definitely a seductive and addicting experience, thanks to its gorgeous visuals and quite solid gameplay that, in a certain way, help to forgive and forget mediocre writing and voice acting.
  11. Eurogamer Spain
    Aug 6, 2014
    80
    Mind: Path to Thalamus offers memorable locations, great well-thought mechanics and intelligent puzzles with an almost perfect curve of difficulty.
  12. Vandal
    Aug 5, 2014
    76
    It's amazing how such a great game was made by one single person. Still, the player won't worry about how many people is behind a game, but in any case they will find a very engaging experience, with puzzles worth solving and environment worth visiting.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 92
  3. Negative: 21 out of 92
  1. ROKUGAN
    Aug 7, 2014
    1
    One single word to describe this game: IRRITATING. I played it to completion. At first I was intrigued as I've had great experiences withOne single word to describe this game: IRRITATING. I played it to completion. At first I was intrigued as I've had great experiences with other narrative games (eg Dear Esther, Gone Home), but tbh the best moment in this game was when after completion I un-installed it. Boring trial and error puzzles, lots of nonsense, repetitive scenarios, crappy graphics, and most of all: a dialogue that is as presumptuous as absurd and irritating. I ended hating the main character's non-stop wining about his daughter. God I've never play another indie game again without a direct recommendation from a trustful source. You're warned about this one!… Full Review »
  2. dillos
    Aug 6, 2014
    1
    walking solve puzzle ... walking solve puzzle .. great art and music but gameplay is boring , i don't know how people can give 10 to this ? ifwalking solve puzzle ... walking solve puzzle .. great art and music but gameplay is boring , i don't know how people can give 10 to this ? if you like puzzle this game is for you but otherwise if you like action stay away....… Full Review »
  3. BSim500
    Aug 17, 2014
    4
    It's impressive it was created with such a tiny design team, and the atmosphere and audio are nice, but there are several major annoyancesIt's impressive it was created with such a tiny design team, and the atmosphere and audio are nice, but there are several major annoyances which sadly spoil the game. Firstly there are game breaking "collision" bugs. If you use or drop the puzzle sphere in the wrong place it can bounce out of range (or even fall through the floor) so you have to restart. Secondly, I suffered from highly distracting chronic screen tearing even with both the game options and GFX drivers forced VSync to "on". Other people on the net complaining about the same thing, and yes this is the proper release not an "early access build". Thirdly, keys are not remappable (a relatively simple feature) and are inconsistent. Up and down arrows move forward and back, but left and right arrows "turn" instead of strafe (but WASD work as expected and strafe not turn).

    Finally, the biggest annoyance is no quick save. Some of us have busy schedules and can only "snatch" 10-15mins during certain periods. If it takes 16mins to complete a chapter and you quit just 30 seconds before completion, you'll have to restart the whole chapter over again. What are us busy people supposed to do, not game at all until we have a clear 5 hours? Come on people, this is 2014 PC gaming not 1986 cartridge based consoles. Even Doom in 1993 had a QuickSave feature, as have many other small-dev Indie games over the years using the same Unreal engine...

    End score = I would have given 8 out of 10 without the 4 annoyances, but it shrinks to 4 out of 10 with them as combined they make the game highly frustrating rather than fluid and enjoyable.    … Full Review »
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