NaissanceE

 PC
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 59
  3. Negative: 11 out of 59

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  1. genesis209_gd
    Jun 17, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is a masterpiece. The architecture is absolutely stunning and it's a joy for the eyes. The soundtrack also fits the environment perfectly. However, the bossfight at the end is a bit out of place in my opinion. And some areas are just confusing. But it's still one of my favorite games.… Expand
  2. Pissin
    Sep 13, 2020
    9
    This game is a masterpiece, even if the ending felt rushed.

    The atmosphere and sheer scope of being isolated in an alien like architectural behemoth is overbearing. As much as people criticise the platforming it was clearly designed in a way that was meant to be frustrating. It was intentional. This game is about exploring somewhere where you're not supposed to, so it makes sense    This game is a masterpiece, even if the ending felt rushed.

    The atmosphere and sheer scope of being isolated in an alien like architectural behemoth is overbearing.

    As much as people criticise the platforming it was clearly designed in a way that was meant to be frustrating. It was intentional. This game is about exploring somewhere where you're not supposed to, so it makes sense that it's incredibly frustrating.

    This game is severely underrated and under-appreciated so please play it.    … Expand
  3. Gracz-org
    Aug 8, 2017
    8
    NaissanceE jest świetną grą, będącą dowodem na to, jak kilka osób może stworzyć tytuł, który zostawi w tyle wiele wysokobudżetowych produkcji. Co prawda nie jest to gra idealna, ale zważywszy na fakt, że oferuje ona tak wiele doznań - można przymknąć oko na często irytujące elementy zręcznościowe i - momentami wkurzające - sterowanie. Jeśli chodzi o długość rozgrywki, to przejście gryNaissanceE jest świetną grą, będącą dowodem na to, jak kilka osób może stworzyć tytuł, który zostawi w tyle wiele wysokobudżetowych produkcji. Co prawda nie jest to gra idealna, ale zważywszy na fakt, że oferuje ona tak wiele doznań - można przymknąć oko na często irytujące elementy zręcznościowe i - momentami wkurzające - sterowanie. Jeśli chodzi o długość rozgrywki, to przejście gry zajęło mi około 5 i pół godziny - co jest dość znośnym wynikiem. Dodam jeszcze, że do wielu miejsc można dojść na kilka sposobów, można również trafić w „złe” miejsce i… nigdy już się z niego nie wydostać - trafimy bowiem na niekończące się schody albo ciągnące się bez końca korytarze. Wszystko ograniczono tutaj do minimum - żadnych map, podpowiedzi, ciągnięcia za rączkę do kolejnego etapu… to wszystko sprawia, że tytuł ten jest naprawdę godny polecenia. Mam nadzieję, że będziecie się przy nim bawić tak dobrze, jak ja.

    Plusy:
    + klimat!!!
    + sugestywny i tajemniczy świat gry
    + ogromne, budzące zachwyt struktury
    + projekt i wygląd etapów
    + balans czerni z bielą, światła i ciemności
    + świetna muzyka

    Minusy:
    – absolutny brak fabuły
    – mogłoby być więcej zagadek logicznych
    – niekiedy irytujące elementy zręcznościowe
    – … i sterowanie

    Pełna recenzja dostępna jest na blogu Gracz.org    … Expand
  4. iseeall
    Jun 25, 2017
    8
    NaissanceE is a 1st person puzzle + jumping platformer game with a little resemblance of Antichamber and maybe even Minecraft. It has extremely minimalistic graphics style, a lot of running, some frustrating physics-based puzzles, no story and an overall feeling of madness.

    The good: - the graphics are stylish. They show how you can make an interesting and even pretentiously looking    NaissanceE is a 1st person puzzle + jumping platformer game with a little resemblance of Antichamber and maybe even Minecraft. It has extremely minimalistic graphics style, a lot of running, some frustrating physics-based puzzles, no story and an overall feeling of madness.

    The good:
    - the graphics are stylish. They show how you can make an interesting and even pretentiously looking game by only using geometric primitives (mostly boxes) and only gray color (very rarely with some slight variations of gray). The game has a unique and definitive graphics style
    - much of the visual greatness and even a few puzzles are built around the play of light. Overall there isn't much light in most levels, and the realistic light sources (white boxes) are scarce
    - vast levels, especially the city-like level where you go down. I wonder how even Unreal engine could render such a huge number of objects. Maybe the fact that they are just boxes and are all gray helped? Still, they seem to use realistic lighting
    - music is mostly good, sometimes even great, though I didn't like a few tracks (e.g. the last boss chase is annoying in its own, but the music makes it almost unbearable)

    The so-so:
    - there just isn't much you can do in the game. I wonder if the "use" key is actually ever used. You mostly run around, sometimes press buttons by stepping on them or running at them, or touch a light sphere to make it show the way. Also you jump and sprint (with a breath system which could as well be left out because it doesn't add anything and ends ups up being just a useless chore). Still, the scarcity of actions doesn't spoil the game, it just makes the puzzles somewhat limited
    - the game lacks a sense of purpose or meaning. You solve a puzzle and don't get any reward or even a feeling of accomplishment - you just run forward to find another puzzle. There is a slight gratification in seeing vast new spaces for the first time, or simply moving on to the next area - but since no story connects the levels, the game feels arbitrary.

    The bad:
    - the jumping physics is somewhat clunky: you sometimes can't jump up on boxes in front of you. This also makes the sludges puzzle unnecessarily difficult because your character's collisions and jumps inside the sludge are pretty random
    - there seems to be a bug that when running in a wind, you sometimes lose touch with the ground when pressing the sprint key, and you can't move any more. If you jump, you get instantly flown away and killed. This bug makes the level with tubes and ventilators extrememly frustrating, because you have to restart and retry sections many time until this bug doesn't happen and you can complete a section.
    - a lot of running, and in a few cases the correct way forward is hidden in a huge area - you may spend 15 minutes just running around, wondering what's needed from you, only to find out that a tiny stars is hidden behind a ramp somewhere. The game just artificially lengthens your playtime by making you run around a lot. I thought it took me 8-10 hours to beat the game but, judging from Steam stats, it's just 5 hours.

    Overall, it's a good game, and during the first 2 levels I wanted to give it a 9/10, especially after seeing the masterpiece 2nd level. However, the bugs in physics and the frustrating puzzles based on it, and the super-annoying final level make me reduce the rating to 8/10. It's still a very good game though, so if you're into indie games, don't get scared by its dull screenshots and give it a try.    … Expand
  5. everin
    Oct 1, 2015
    9
    Tier 1
    + One of the most visually stunning displays of level design ever created for a game
    + An innovative audio-visual experience that is compelling from beginning to end + A lot of unique and interesting puzzles that tie thematically to the gameplay and world ? Some questionable exploration elements with frequent dead-ends - Some markedly frustrating platforming gameplay can pull    Tier 1
    + One of the most visually stunning displays of level design ever created for a game
    + An innovative audio-visual experience that is compelling from beginning to end
    + A lot of unique and interesting puzzles that tie thematically to the gameplay and world
    ? Some questionable exploration elements with frequent dead-ends
    - Some markedly frustrating platforming gameplay can pull players out of the experience    … Expand
  6. pfpfpfpf
    Jul 23, 2015
    8
    the graphic and the gameplay feel outdated but it's good enough if you enjoy platformers
    it's nostalgic in some ways.
    I personally enjoy it's frustrating dumbness because the atmosphere and the design is really good. In case you don't know Pauline Oliveros is a huge experimental music composer that does music since the 60's or so. She's part of modern music history and that was the main    the graphic and the gameplay feel outdated but it's good enough if you enjoy platformers
    it's nostalgic in some ways.
    I personally enjoy it's frustrating dumbness because the atmosphere and the design is really good. In case you don't know Pauline Oliveros is a huge experimental music composer that does music since the 60's or so. She's part of modern music history and that was the main reason i tried this game.
    And as Arainami says so, An apparently famous manga artist did the level design. Which is to say minimalistic but intriguing enough to make you keep playing.
    Puzzles are based on variation of space, light and air. cool heh?

    i think you would enjoy this game mostly for aesthetics reasons. I has a strong poetic potential. It is far from perfect, gameplay wise, but still for the weird atmosphere and design, it deserve a try.    … Expand
  7. Brousitch
    Jun 29, 2015
    3
    Game that demands precise movement through breathtaking levels; spacious and deep environments where every misstep means certain death at the bottom of colossal structures. You are taught the hard way to "look before you leap"... and then in the last level after hours of wandering through vast desert developer decides you are supposed to commit suicide and jump into pit. What?! I thinkGame that demands precise movement through breathtaking levels; spacious and deep environments where every misstep means certain death at the bottom of colossal structures. You are taught the hard way to "look before you leap"... and then in the last level after hours of wandering through vast desert developer decides you are supposed to commit suicide and jump into pit. What?! I think this sums up this desperate, frustrating and uneven attempt at video game design.… Expand
  8. I_Am_Turok
    Jan 15, 2015
    4
    Super Mario platforming meets arty environment. Unfortunately, all the positives that others spoke of, mood, emotion, exploration etc. I simply could not find nor feel. The levels are big, but it's still essentially quite linear. Some parts really are nice to look at, as it the music to listen to. But the large map size means lots of sameness. I started to groan once I had to jump movingSuper Mario platforming meets arty environment. Unfortunately, all the positives that others spoke of, mood, emotion, exploration etc. I simply could not find nor feel. The levels are big, but it's still essentially quite linear. Some parts really are nice to look at, as it the music to listen to. But the large map size means lots of sameness. I started to groan once I had to jump moving platforms. And it's not an exploration of anything, you're just running to the end, and the end is, well, a relief but not much else. To be a good platformer, it needs a lot more detail throughout, and inventiveness. To be a good exploration game, it needs more story background also. But where it is now, it's basically running, jumping, lights, platforms and lots of corridors and edges. It just about holds the attention, just barely, plus the sometimes nice areas, a 4 for good effort but could have been more.… Expand
  9. jmparis
    Sep 18, 2014
    10
    I really really appreciated this game. I've loved so much the atmosphere.
    I liked the exploration, and the puzzles too. Even if puzzles are quite simple.
    I liked the fact that you can move from a very little room to a huge and limitless environment. I've just a concern about the final; that I found difficult. But it's the end of a game, it's normal :) Special attention and    I really really appreciated this game. I've loved so much the atmosphere.
    I liked the exploration, and the puzzles too. Even if puzzles are quite simple.

    I liked the fact that you can move from a very little room to a huge and limitless environment.

    I've just a concern about the final; that I found difficult. But it's the end of a game, it's normal :)

    Special attention and congrats to all levels between 30% and 90% of the game.
    They are just "ouaaahhhh"    … Expand
  10. xKindred
    Jul 9, 2014
    7
    Unbelievable game that will never cease to amaze and overwhelm you. Recommended to anyone who likes puzzles, beautiful game worlds, and tense gameplay.
  11. kareemnowayh
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    3 words "absolutely **** breathtaking" ^_^
    nothing else to say but since the review must be at least 150 characters long, i could say it kind of reminded me of portal 2, Chapter 6 "The Fall" in portal 2, where you are all alone in the abandoned old version of Aperture Science labs.... that was epic.... this little game multiplies this feeling by a 1000 times.
    i felt so small , more than    3 words "absolutely **** breathtaking" ^_^
    nothing else to say but since the review must be at least 150 characters long, i could say it kind of reminded me of portal 2, Chapter 6 "The Fall" in portal 2, where you are all alone in the abandoned old version of Aperture Science labs.... that was epic.... this little game multiplies this feeling by a 1000 times.
    i felt so small , more than I already am, so i gave it 10/10.
    Great atmosphere.    … Expand
  12. AstiX
    Mar 20, 2014
    10
    This game is absolutely breathtaking and really changes the meaning of a regular PC game.

    You have no idea who you are and where you are. You just know that you have to run! Although lacking an actual storyline, this manages to captivate you and let you get immersed into it's weird block world. At first it starts out with a simple and relaxed pace and you feel like it's gonna be one    This game is absolutely breathtaking and really changes the meaning of a regular PC game.

    You have no idea who you are and where you are. You just know that you have to run!

    Although lacking an actual storyline, this manages to captivate you and let you get immersed into it's weird block world. At first it starts out with a simple and relaxed pace and you feel like it's gonna be one of those "Run and Enjoy" games. But the intensity begins building up exponentionally that towards the end you don't know where your head is! It's an exhilarating and thrilling journey.

    The music is pure genius and in my opinion makes up half the game's worth! It perfectly matches each setting you encounter in the game, using strange avant-garde sounds and electronic alien-like instruments, which at certain points of the game gave me chills all over.

    The graphics are so simple and yet manage to create amazing and beautiful worlds. A real treat for the eyes.

    Therefore, I can honestly say this is one of the best games I've played in years. It's something completely new. It's a game which seems to have no point at first, but in the end you have to pick up your jaw from the floor and wonder what the hell you just played. It is truly a work of art.    … Expand
  13. evild4ve
    Mar 7, 2014
    2
    It's much less breathtaking than it looks. The puzzles, at least during the first hour or so which was all I could endure, involve pressing light switches to move floating light sources around that make certain platforms appear and disappear. At first it looks like a clever mechanic like Closure (but in 3D), but it's really just switches. In HUGE levels, with no particular idea of whereIt's much less breathtaking than it looks. The puzzles, at least during the first hour or so which was all I could endure, involve pressing light switches to move floating light sources around that make certain platforms appear and disappear. At first it looks like a clever mechanic like Closure (but in 3D), but it's really just switches. In HUGE levels, with no particular idea of where you're supposed to be going or why. It isn't open exploration, there's a linear route - and it's just intentionally not marked out well, or indeed at all. It's like: if I crawl through this little space here and jump over these boxes I'm in the "next" area, which is much like the last one except the boxes are a different way round. The gigantic scale looks good, but it's dull to wander round it. Another game that had this problem was EYE: Divine Cybermancy - if you've played the particular couple of maps in that with vast outdoor areas that take five minutes to walk across but have nothing to interact with or particularly look at on the way, that's pretty much NaissanceE. Only, without anything to do at the end of the long walk, or anything to look at on the way other than grey boxes.

    Another puzzle that annoyed me early on involved navigating down a big grey "lift shaft" type thing by hopping from ledge to ledge (long drops kill you forcing a return to the last save), and the puzzle is that the only available light source slowly drifts up and down the middle of the "lift shaft" so that you have to wait 30 seconds between each jump. I hate it when games make things difficult in the game that would be easy if you were physically there - and in this case could feel for the sheer drops at the edges of the ledges.

    I'm being really down on this game. It does have a moody, mysterious atmosphere going for it. But probably so would Halo if you removed the plot and replaced all the scenery with grey boxes and put a sort of pixelly filter over the front of everything. And it could well have profound spiritual revelations waiting further into the game, about loneliness, or whether anything means anything... but I just have a creeping suspicion that I could get the same revelations by walking around a shopping mall at night wearing dark glasses. They seem to be patching it lots, and it's a genuine indie not a cynical cash-in, I could just have done with more freedom to get lost walking round a huge grey building, the linearity at the start was a huge disappointment. Back to Anti-Chamber for me!    … Expand
  14. HyTricksy
    Mar 4, 2014
    10
    The player starts the game lost and confused. However, quite early, the character reaches a place where the game opens up and reveals its real face. The structures, in my opinion very influenced by Lovecraft and 'cyclopean' architecture, work to create giant spaces, bottomless pits and huge structures that make an acrophobic such as me experience the game in a very different (panicky) way.The player starts the game lost and confused. However, quite early, the character reaches a place where the game opens up and reveals its real face. The structures, in my opinion very influenced by Lovecraft and 'cyclopean' architecture, work to create giant spaces, bottomless pits and huge structures that make an acrophobic such as me experience the game in a very different (panicky) way.
    Outwith scenes apart, the physical puzzles inside use the player's reflexes and speed as well as their wits and puzzle-solving skills to move forward. This offers a pause in the exploration and 'admiring' of the gigantic outside vistas.
    As the game progresses it adopts a more surreal tone, which, in my opinion, goes perfectly well with the whole Lovecraftian feel the game has for me. The last chapters truly amaze and surprise you as you get nearer to the end. Truly a surprising and refreshing experience.    … Expand
  15. Arainami
    Feb 19, 2014
    9
    For fans of creativity Tsutomu Nihei this game - a real gift! For the rest - a mix of Journey, Stanley Parable and Pink Floyd. Game about architecture and loneliness with a stunning musical accompaniment
  16. Leviathin1
    Feb 17, 2014
    10
    This game is a huge recommend. It's an amazing journey through a massive structure which feels of some alien design. Environmental navigation and puzzles are very satisfying within the artsi and surreal, shades of grey pallet. Becomes a true test of mouse and keyboard prowess in the later stages. A true PC gamers must play.
  17. hamja
    Feb 15, 2014
    9
    An absolutely fantastic game. The vistas are breathtaking at times and downright frightening and confusing at others. I had particular impressions of the style of BLAME! at times. At others, another great game, Kairo came to mind. The overall tone is not a happy one, so beware. Loneliness and confusion bordering on madness are the overarching theme.

    The choices the game sometimes    An absolutely fantastic game. The vistas are breathtaking at times and downright frightening and confusing at others. I had particular impressions of the style of BLAME! at times. At others, another great game, Kairo came to mind. The overall tone is not a happy one, so beware. Loneliness and confusion bordering on madness are the overarching theme.

    The choices the game sometimes throws at you are also very satisfying despite their ambiguity and certainly warrant at least a second playthrough. There are puzzles, there is platforming and there even are eastereggs and traps.

    The sound design is also brilliant, with a constant ambient soundtrack that perfectly compliments the scenery.

    The only negative points I have to mention are the sometimes questionably spaced checkpoints during hectic platforming parts. This is manageable though, if a bit frustrating.
    Also, I felt the game could overall have done with a bit more puzzling and a bit less platforming.

    But those are minor gripes and do not take away from an, in my opinion, resounding success.    … Expand
  18. darkwolf79
    Feb 14, 2014
    10
    This game sets out to make you feel alone and it keeps it promise.
    On an emotional level this game really delivers.
    At first you explore simple yet confined level structures that very soon give way to absolutely monumental feeling set pieces that will have you in awe. The art style is in itself consistent and works very well, especially when paired with the rather excellent audio    This game sets out to make you feel alone and it keeps it promise.
    On an emotional level this game really delivers.

    At first you explore simple yet confined level structures that very soon give way to absolutely monumental feeling set pieces that will have you in awe.
    The art style is in itself consistent and works very well, especially when paired with the rather excellent audio design. This visual and acoustic experience seems to always matche perfectly.
    The game really manages to deliver a wide range of experiences and emotions, from feeling lost in a huge and fascinating world to adrenaline pumping action sequences and solving the occasional puzzle, it does it all very well.

    The one thing I especially enjoyed is the at times very clever level design. While being a linear game with areas for you to explore it never feels like it is linear. In fact, I could swear I was making my way through at random or at being driven by interesting set pieces.

    Don't however expect much of a story. Not in the traditional sense anyways. Whatever happened or happens is up to your imagination. That is a good thing though.

    All in all, if you're looking for a game that will take you on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride while making you feel small, forgotten and alone, then play it.

    The thing that stayed most with me is the level design. Simply brilliant.    … Expand
  19. btxsqdr
    Feb 14, 2014
    7
    even though i like the general idea, naissancee felt from time to time like being back in a minecraft cave. you know, a tunnel and the search for an exit deep in a mountain. that particular type of games which feel unfinished imo. i hope it is not another beginner interactive art project because it feels like gameplay and game design are secondary here, not mentioning the feeling that someeven though i like the general idea, naissancee felt from time to time like being back in a minecraft cave. you know, a tunnel and the search for an exit deep in a mountain. that particular type of games which feel unfinished imo. i hope it is not another beginner interactive art project because it feels like gameplay and game design are secondary here, not mentioning the feeling that some levels or puzzles are unfinished… Expand
  20. Cwestern
    Feb 13, 2014
    8
    This game is super artsy. And there's no textures. That might throw some people off. Also, there isn't really much plot, or any objective other than to move forwards. There's a little bit of puzzling, and a little bit of platforming, and a whole lot of wandering around through the beautifully designed and expansive monolithic structures. I'm only a few hours in, and this game already hasThis game is super artsy. And there's no textures. That might throw some people off. Also, there isn't really much plot, or any objective other than to move forwards. There's a little bit of puzzling, and a little bit of platforming, and a whole lot of wandering around through the beautifully designed and expansive monolithic structures. I'm only a few hours in, and this game already has accomplished what it sets out to do: I'm terrified, exhilarated, and I feel horribly alone. I have the sinking feeling that there's no one else and I'm trapped alone in this richly detailed world to wander by myself. The whole world feels timeless and massive, and the environmental interactions by the character make me feel as if I'm being toyed with by some higher being. While this isn't the most compelling game, and might consist of too much walking for some, this game is chillingly beautiful and conjures the most alien sense of isolation I have ever experienced. The lighting and shadows are also pure art. One of the better indie games I have played recently.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. CD-Action
    Jun 28, 2014
    50
    If the game makes you think about Journey, Mirror’s Edge and Antichamber, it must be great, right? Right? RIGHT?! [CD-Action 05/2014, p.71]
  2. Games.cz
    Apr 18, 2014
    70
    A maze for all those virtual tourists and spelunkers, who have deadly desire to find out what is at the end of an alienated underworld city that may constantly surprise you. For instance, with its jumping over platforms, which may be a very unnerving experience.
    Read full review
  3. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Mar 11, 2014
    60
    NaissancE is a beautiful game, but without much direction it can feel like a never ending mire of running, jumping, and falling. That being said, is the game worth spending $20 on? Certainly.
    Read full review
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