Quantum Conundrum

 PC
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 198 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 112 out of 198
  2. Mixed: 62 out of 198
  3. Negative: 24 out of 198

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  1. Mykwon
    Dec 29, 2012
    7
    Game feels like Portal with different gaming mechanisms. So, it is quite entertaining. The timed jumps can be frustrating though, mainly due to the first person view. Sometimes, it's difficult to see how far you can go in order to jump - especially under the pressure of time - and you end up wondering if you're doing what is necessary to solve the puzzle or just failing at jumpingGame feels like Portal with different gaming mechanisms. So, it is quite entertaining. The timed jumps can be frustrating though, mainly due to the first person view. Sometimes, it's difficult to see how far you can go in order to jump - especially under the pressure of time - and you end up wondering if you're doing what is necessary to solve the puzzle or just failing at jumping properly. So it leads to a lot of trial and error where you keep dying. But overall, that's a good game, with interesting puzzles/concepts. This game has a lot of potential; if it had the Steam Workshop feature enabled where players could submit their puzzles, it would become exponentially richer and famous. Ultimately, getting it at a good discounted price (like 75%) is a good deal.… Expand
  2. czerro
    Jul 1, 2012
    9
    This is a really great game at a ridiculously low price. You will definitely get more than a bang for your buck. Infact, the one kinda irritating thing is just HOW much this game wants to give you. The voice over work for the uncle is quite good...but it's SO MUCH. It will start to grate on you after a while. Seriously, stop talking at me, Uncle Crazy! I wish there was a little lessThis is a really great game at a ridiculously low price. You will definitely get more than a bang for your buck. Infact, the one kinda irritating thing is just HOW much this game wants to give you. The voice over work for the uncle is quite good...but it's SO MUCH. It will start to grate on you after a while. Seriously, stop talking at me, Uncle Crazy! I wish there was a little less attempt at theatrics and a little more making this a tight puzzler as the story is essentially non-existant...but man your ear gets talked off about it. This is a lame complaint though, considering how much you are getting at a 15 dollar price tag. Play it for the puzzles and just try and tune out the continuous Vincent Price-esque monologue that's ever in your ear.… Expand
  3. Izitmee
    Jun 27, 2012
    7
    Probably because Quantum Conundrum's developer is Kim Swift, which was one of the minds behind the first Portal, this game actually feels like a casual version of Portal. Instead of targeted teleports and strange substances though, our weapon of choice influences ("shifts") the whole environment, making everything ultra-heavy, ultra-light, super-slow-motion, or gravity-inverted. It'sProbably because Quantum Conundrum's developer is Kim Swift, which was one of the minds behind the first Portal, this game actually feels like a casual version of Portal. Instead of targeted teleports and strange substances though, our weapon of choice influences ("shifts") the whole environment, making everything ultra-heavy, ultra-light, super-slow-motion, or gravity-inverted. It's actually quite fun. Like Portal, all puzzles are divided in rooms, and a sarcastic voice follows you throughout your gameplay. Unlike Portal though, this game doesn't deliver in many aspects. The atmosphere is quite bland. The story is utterly un-compelling. The sarcasm is usually nice but nothing special nor peculiar. The platform elements are annoying (as in any first-person platformer), though not terribly awkward.
    Anyway, considering the price range, it's a nice little game, with relatively easy but entertaining puzzles.    … Expand
  4. Kredns
    Jul 16, 2012
    2
    You're going to hear people say "if you like Portal you'll like Quantum Conundrum". This isn't the case. While Portal focuses on the PUZZLE solving aspect, Quantum Conundrum focuses on the TIMING aspect. I do not enjoy being unable to solve a puzzle because I can't time making a safe fly in the air correctly. I did like the humor of this game (and in that way it was very similar toYou're going to hear people say "if you like Portal you'll like Quantum Conundrum". This isn't the case. While Portal focuses on the PUZZLE solving aspect, Quantum Conundrum focuses on the TIMING aspect. I do not enjoy being unable to solve a puzzle because I can't time making a safe fly in the air correctly. I did like the humor of this game (and in that way it was very similar to Portal). Sadly the story simply wasn't enough to make me want to finish this game. Maybe someday I'll go back and finish it, but for now it just keeps pissing me off.… Expand
  5. Santiago_fisher
    Jun 23, 2012
    8
    The game is quite fun, but after playing portal I and II you will figure out that the concept and some puzzles are the same, the game suffers little bugs when respawning after falling from some places or getting hit by a laser, the game has good things, it has good humor and some funny jokes, the colors and details of the games are beautiful and the concept about the dimensions is prettyThe game is quite fun, but after playing portal I and II you will figure out that the concept and some puzzles are the same, the game suffers little bugs when respawning after falling from some places or getting hit by a laser, the game has good things, it has good humor and some funny jokes, the colors and details of the games are beautiful and the concept about the dimensions is pretty neat.

    The prize is so good that you should buy this game, even if it have some negative things, but which game doesn't have them? the game is also pretty long, it worth every buck you will spend on this game and there's always something that will make you fall in love with the game.    … Expand
  6. ja52ng74
    Jun 28, 2012
    8
    Another great concept that redefines the way a game is played, just like Portal with the Portal Gun, and Half-Life 2 with the Gravity Gun, however, unlike Portal, the story fails to excite, interest or stimulate emotions apart from the occasional monotonous "lol" thought of in the head. At times the setting and direction make the game feel like the recycled Portal it is, but the game-playAnother great concept that redefines the way a game is played, just like Portal with the Portal Gun, and Half-Life 2 with the Gravity Gun, however, unlike Portal, the story fails to excite, interest or stimulate emotions apart from the occasional monotonous "lol" thought of in the head. At times the setting and direction make the game feel like the recycled Portal it is, but the game-play keeps you hooked until the end, which is MINOR SPOILER: a little disappointing and anti-climactic.… Expand
  7. cunningmunki
    Jul 16, 2012
    8
    Quantum Conundrum isn't a Valve game, but it really aspires to be. As everyone by now knows, Kim Swift was one of the key contributors to Portal and it's spiritual predecessor, Narbacular Drop. And you can't help wonder if Narbacular Drop would have turned out a little more like Quantum Conundrum if Valve hadn't turned it into Portal.
    But her time at Valve has certainly rubbed off. You    Quantum Conundrum isn't a Valve game, but it really aspires to be. As everyone by now knows, Kim Swift was one of the key contributors to Portal and it's spiritual predecessor, Narbacular Drop. And you can't help wonder if Narbacular Drop would have turned out a little more like Quantum Conundrum if Valve hadn't turned it into Portal.
    But her time at Valve has certainly rubbed off. You have a first person perspective, the classic Valve learning curve, a silent protagonist, a guiding voice, Team Fortress-style graphics, and no annoying cutscenes whatsoever.
    Although it never reaches Valve's high quality-bar, QC is funny, charming, inventive and has just enough variety of puzzles to keep you going. It suffers from being just a little too easy (and I don't think I'm being immodest!), and from a very basic plot which only offers any true feeling of peril in it's closing minutes.
    What QC does well is to remind you that fun and originality don't have to be confined to indie titles. Well done Square Enix.    … Expand
  8. Resplendent
    Jul 23, 2012
    6
    An entertaining, if frustrating game. The cartoonish environments are unique, though they quickly become repetitive. John de Lancie's performance delivers his usual wit, though the character still manages to lack personality. Professor Quadrangle is no GLaDOS. I did enjoy the game mechanics; they did have a Portal-esque planning-requirement when solving puzzles. I did find some puzzlesAn entertaining, if frustrating game. The cartoonish environments are unique, though they quickly become repetitive. John de Lancie's performance delivers his usual wit, though the character still manages to lack personality. Professor Quadrangle is no GLaDOS. I did enjoy the game mechanics; they did have a Portal-esque planning-requirement when solving puzzles. I did find some puzzles were too lacking in direction, as if they hadn't been playtested enough (but I admit I may just be a bit of a dolt). The lack of a real conclusion was rather annoying, with the climax over before it really has a chance to begin. Don't expect nearly the level of polish and awe that you got with Portal. A somewhat overall repetitive environment and series of puzzles leaves the game feeling both too long and too short- as if the designers simply ran out of ideas and decided to add in more of the same until it met an arbitrary length requirement. Overall, QC is something to pick up on sale to kill some time.… Expand
  9. MixMasterMike
    Aug 17, 2012
    3
    What a grand disappointment this game was. This is definitely no Portal... the puzzles mostly consisted of a lot of trial and error, despite already knowing how to solve it, you constantly just have to fight with controls and the game itself to get the solution exactly right, which is annoying. Then there is not enough variety while playing and some parts are just very boring. The writingWhat a grand disappointment this game was. This is definitely no Portal... the puzzles mostly consisted of a lot of trial and error, despite already knowing how to solve it, you constantly just have to fight with controls and the game itself to get the solution exactly right, which is annoying. Then there is not enough variety while playing and some parts are just very boring. The writing of the story is surprisingly bad and John de Lancie's performance does not really fit, as if he was just reading some lines. The game also features certain jokes and not one of them is really funny, which is the worst that can happen to a game that always tries to be comedic. Worst of all is the anticlimactic ending, what an awful waste of time and money.

    After all, since Kim Swift made that game without Valve this result seems logical, the principal game idea is good, but the execution of it into a game is - without Valves team - just underwhelming. Sound was mediocre, a bit too childish for my taste and graphically the game also looks as if it was designed for children, but I don't care about the visuals too much.    … Expand
  10. pablol
    Jun 25, 2012
    3
    This game is nothing compared to portal. Its biggest failing are badly designed puzzles. After figuring out what to do, I spent way too long trying to throw a box or something else just in the right spot. Very frustrating. Also if you fail, you usually have to start again, resetting almost all items.

    Writing is also average at best. Paintings and other assets are mostly recycled from    This game is nothing compared to portal. Its biggest failing are badly designed puzzles. After figuring out what to do, I spent way too long trying to throw a box or something else just in the right spot. Very frustrating. Also if you fail, you usually have to start again, resetting almost all items.

    Writing is also average at best. Paintings and other assets are mostly recycled from previous levels. There is nothing that makes the player keep playing. Bottom line, don't waste your money.    … Expand
  11. Riflenator1234
    Jun 22, 2012
    9
    This game is very fun and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good puzzle. Although it may not be as good as some other puzzle games I have played, it is worth every penny.
  12. Jamron5
    Jun 22, 2012
    10
    This game has an enormous amount of content and polish for a $15 title. It would be silly not to pick up such a steal of a product. It has a few minor flaws here and there, but overall it is fairly clever and quite smile-inducing.
  13. aljones15
    Jun 24, 2012
    9
    the story is not Portal, the fact that it takes place in a kid safe world takes away from the wit of the writing, as if the author thought they were writing Portal, however the game play has significant changes from Portal and at that it works. Fun and sometimes hypnotic when you get to the time stop levels it starts to pick up. A genuinely enjoyable release with so-so graphics, and athe story is not Portal, the fact that it takes place in a kid safe world takes away from the wit of the writing, as if the author thought they were writing Portal, however the game play has significant changes from Portal and at that it works. Fun and sometimes hypnotic when you get to the time stop levels it starts to pick up. A genuinely enjoyable release with so-so graphics, and a story line that doesn't quite live up to Portal's almost embarrassingly high levels, the mad narrator of this story is a bit of a let down, I would rather had played as him than as his far to quiet nephew. regardless well worth the big 15 usd and buy it with the dlc season pass for two additional add ons that will probably make it more worth the while. Charming, but not brilliant.… Expand
  14. choopy
    Jun 22, 2012
    8
    im honestly enjoying this game, clever little puzzles, neat idea in general, its a good puzzle game, i would recommend it for portal players, however, it is a little laggy at first well, it is on mine
  15. Indrigis
    Aug 12, 2012
    6
    This game is constantly compared to Portal (game designer and all), but the problem is that whatever likeness to Portal has been diluted, painted pastel colors and dumbed down so severely that it's more of a Farmville FPS. Slightly boring toothless kind-of-fun for the whole family. You repeat the same pseudo-entertaining tricks for six hours, like a slightly stupid dog jumping throughThis game is constantly compared to Portal (game designer and all), but the problem is that whatever likeness to Portal has been diluted, painted pastel colors and dumbed down so severely that it's more of a Farmville FPS. Slightly boring toothless kind-of-fun for the whole family. You repeat the same pseudo-entertaining tricks for six hours, like a slightly stupid dog jumping through hoops, in process discovering almost nothing about almost nothing, and, for lack of a worthy narration, entertaining yourself by looking at various paintings in various dimensions (they change, somewhat predictably, in a cringe-inducingly fun way). Now that I think of it... the game is a dementia simulator. You don't know who you are, you are locked in a strange place with no reason and you do strange things because a condescending voice in your head tells you to. Meanwhile learning the laws of physics and enjoying the view.… Expand
  16. mathmike
    Aug 5, 2012
    5
    I think this game has a really good sense of humor and voice acting. The puzzles weren't as hard as I would have liked them to be and I found the controls hard to get used to. I thought the controls felt slippery and the character ran too fast to make some of the jumps easily.
  17. Fijut
    Jul 17, 2012
    7
    An enjoyable puzzle game, regardless of it's obvious similarities to portal. The lack of graphics options didn't really bother me so much, as it's just a casual puzzle game, but the choice should still be there. There is not very much i can flaw, apart from the puzzles being too easy, some repetetiveness (both in the puzzles and especially the voiceover), and most annoyingly, you are givenAn enjoyable puzzle game, regardless of it's obvious similarities to portal. The lack of graphics options didn't really bother me so much, as it's just a casual puzzle game, but the choice should still be there. There is not very much i can flaw, apart from the puzzles being too easy, some repetetiveness (both in the puzzles and especially the voiceover), and most annoyingly, you are given HINTS constantly by the voiceover when you don't need them.

    Also, i don't know if i missed it, but the game never really explains what IKE is, either.    … Expand
  18. BornAProphet
    Aug 25, 2012
    10
    Hate this game is getting bad reviews. It's compared to Portals and what people do not understand is It does not have Portals budget nor does it cost $60 usd. I felt a great since of accomplishment solving the puzzles sometimes with help from the Uncle's clues. I enjoyed the story line and the voice acting is not bad. For 15 dollars this is a must have. Leaderboards and addons add to theHate this game is getting bad reviews. It's compared to Portals and what people do not understand is It does not have Portals budget nor does it cost $60 usd. I felt a great since of accomplishment solving the puzzles sometimes with help from the Uncle's clues. I enjoyed the story line and the voice acting is not bad. For 15 dollars this is a must have. Leaderboards and addons add to the reply value which is important in any game. This will rewrite physics based games once again. Please consider the budget of this game and the price. It is not portals! Thank you Kim Swift (Lead designer of Airtight Games) as well as Airtight Games crew. Great job!… Expand
  19. DynamicJul
    Jun 28, 2012
    0
    I was excited to play this after I saw the different dimensions in trailer and started to imagine what amazing puzzles could be made with them. Unfortunately, every puzzle is way too easy, I bet even 10 year olds could figure them out quickly. I was in and out each room with ease. The only times I got stuck was when the execution of the puzzles was too clunky and needed multiple tries.I was excited to play this after I saw the different dimensions in trailer and started to imagine what amazing puzzles could be made with them. Unfortunately, every puzzle is way too easy, I bet even 10 year olds could figure them out quickly. I was in and out each room with ease. The only times I got stuck was when the execution of the puzzles was too clunky and needed multiple tries. Unlike Portal, you never have to think outside the box. Top that off with a lackluster story, a GLADOS rip-off commentary which makes no sense and is supposed to be funny but ends up annoying, and an obsolutely anticlimatic ending, there is no way I could have given it more than a 6.

    P.S. Metacritic is not allowing me to give it a proper rating, so I guess it will have to be a 0.    … Expand
  20. tovip
    Jun 21, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Lack of graphics options in the pc version is disappointing but the fun and inventive yet creative gameplay truly made up for it. The writing gets a little stale at times and the platforming segments can be iffy, other than that the overall game is very reminiscent of the portal series in a good way. Something I was not expecting and pleasantly surprised by was GLaDOS's cameo as the last boss fight.… Expand
  21. simonli2575
    Jun 24, 2012
    9
    I always liked puzzle games, and this game just gives me another reason why I liked them. In this game, there are 5 dimensions, in which each dimension has their unique properties, but the main character would still remain constant when shifting to various dimensions. The difficulty increases steadily, often you'll bump into levels that you find difficult at first glance, but afterI always liked puzzle games, and this game just gives me another reason why I liked them. In this game, there are 5 dimensions, in which each dimension has their unique properties, but the main character would still remain constant when shifting to various dimensions. The difficulty increases steadily, often you'll bump into levels that you find difficult at first glance, but after sometime, you'll figure out the solution. The visual representation is amazingly great, everything has their unique look in the 5 different dimensions including the original dimension. Additionally various portraits throughout the game will change when you shift dimensions, and they give a distinct feel to the dimension you're in currently. The story goes something like this: During your current visit to uncle, some explosion happened, and uncle goes missing, so you have to rescue him. The story is good enough, it's not great because there isn't too much change in atmosphere, it always feels positive. With games like this, you expect a perfectly happy ending, meaning, you'll rescue uncle and together you live happily ever after, right? Well, not entirely, but yeah. Throughout the game, the uncle talks to you occasionally. The dialogues are interesting to listen to, as some of them might help you out at times, some of them are hilarious/humorous, and some of them tell gives you some stories that happened before the your current visit to uncle. For 15$, you'll get the main game that comes with a lot of content. For 20$, you'll also get the soundtrack and 2 upcoming DLCs. I would recommend the 20$ version, not because of the soundtrack, but because you'll also get the 2 upcoming DLCs. The 2 DLCs weren't released yet, but judging by the quality of this game, you should look forward to playing them.… Expand
  22. AnamanaguchiFTW
    Jun 25, 2012
    8
    This is not a perfect game by any stretch of the imagination but it is still a a very good one. Though many people will probably pass this off as a Portal ripoff, it is definitely not one. There are many different things in Quantum Conundrum to make it new and fun while keeping the difficulty at a good steady pace. Also, the writing is witty enough and funny enough to keep you entertainedThis is not a perfect game by any stretch of the imagination but it is still a a very good one. Though many people will probably pass this off as a Portal ripoff, it is definitely not one. There are many different things in Quantum Conundrum to make it new and fun while keeping the difficulty at a good steady pace. Also, the writing is witty enough and funny enough to keep you entertained the whole way through. With Kim Swift (the creator of Portal) at the helm, you cannot go wrong.… Expand
  23. Caius
    Jun 25, 2012
    2
    the puzzles are way to easy, if you can call them puzzles, this game is a parkour game not a puzzle game. Not to mention there is no graphics options, and there is tons of bloom rape to make up for the bad graphics.
  24. MrJingles
    Jul 17, 2012
    10
    Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun. Fun game is fun.
  25. badluck29
    Jul 8, 2012
    7
    I found myself really trying to like this game. It had all the things that it needed to be a great game. And it might be. In a few patches. This game came from Kim Swift, known for working on Portal, a GREAT GAME, and for another first-person physics puzzler I expected it to be a lot like Portal. But I think Portal somehow did the concept and pulled it off much better. While I was playing,I found myself really trying to like this game. It had all the things that it needed to be a great game. And it might be. In a few patches. This game came from Kim Swift, known for working on Portal, a GREAT GAME, and for another first-person physics puzzler I expected it to be a lot like Portal. But I think Portal somehow did the concept and pulled it off much better. While I was playing, I was getting a lot of frame lag so as the game was nearly unplayable. I looked at the system requirements and found that my computer was only 0.1 Ghz away from being able to run this game well enough, and I'd just like to make a point to the developers - if you're going to create a game with such an intensive physics engine, make some freaking graphics settings. Anyways, I continued playing it on the PC in my living room which could run the game better, and I actually started enjoying it a lot, and only found a few things that were very bad about the game. Either the jump length is much to high or the rooms are much too small, because you had to stop yourself most of the time when jumping to the next object. Also, sometimes the safes fell and just tumbled into patterns that made the test lengthier as you had to wait for another one. This wasn't game ruining, but it was annoying.… Expand
  26. Doonan
    Jul 9, 2012
    10
    For the price and the amount of fun you get, its worth every penny. (I think some people expect to much from a lower price game.) I would recommend this game to families looking for something that isn't offensive for younger eyes.
  27. Funksatron
    Jul 17, 2012
    7
    There is good reason to compare QC to Portal. Both games are FPS puzzlers that employ physics manipulation. QC is a solid game in its own right. The graphics are friendly, the characteristics of the alternate dimensions are interesting and the premise is adequate. The puzzle difficulty seems to be either too easy or maddeningly reliant on high precision twitchery. If you just want to solveThere is good reason to compare QC to Portal. Both games are FPS puzzlers that employ physics manipulation. QC is a solid game in its own right. The graphics are friendly, the characteristics of the alternate dimensions are interesting and the premise is adequate. The puzzle difficulty seems to be either too easy or maddeningly reliant on high precision twitchery. If you just want to solve puzzles, this game may not be for you. After thinking your way through a puzzle, you must then execute your plan which is sometimes much easier said than done. The conclusion is unsatisfying, you won't be playing this game for plot. The game is pretty short and encourages replay for various bragging rights (not dying, fast completion, fewest dimensional shifts) if that's your cup of tea. All in all, because of the low cost of this game ($9 on sale), it's worth the investment. Just don't expect it to be Portal 3.… Expand
  28. doal
    Jun 29, 2012
    8
    Imagine Portal missing the drama, lack of proper ending and mixed with occasional frustrating platforming, which is still a solid first person puzzler despite not being perfect. There is nothing wrong to follow the Portal formula; narration between levels, feedback to signify success, minor visual treats after level, background loading area and even "try to be" funny script. The problemImagine Portal missing the drama, lack of proper ending and mixed with occasional frustrating platforming, which is still a solid first person puzzler despite not being perfect. There is nothing wrong to follow the Portal formula; narration between levels, feedback to signify success, minor visual treats after level, background loading area and even "try to be" funny script. The problem is, it didn't follow Portal to the bone; the story is obviously lacking, challenge in execution (accompany with trial-and-error and frustration) is not optional but a must to pass level. And the ending is an unethical … Expand
  29. Nomac5
    Jul 30, 2012
    9
    This game is a nice break from all the fps games out now and i have to say i had allot of fun playing threw it. The puzzles had me thinking more than a few times and i like that. Ending could be better but all in all a great puzzle game and you will need fast reflexes for some of the puzzles. maybe a bit to easy but still fun
  30. BSim500
    Mar 6, 2015
    9
    Quantum Conundrum is developed by Airtight Games under the direction of Kim Swift (lead project designer of Portal) and surprisingly, it's just as challenging & creative and the closest thing I've seen to clever Portal style mechanics sequel in all but name. You play the twelve-year-old nephew of the brilliant but half-mad genius Professor Fitz Quadwrangle (decently voiced by actor John deQuantum Conundrum is developed by Airtight Games under the direction of Kim Swift (lead project designer of Portal) and surprisingly, it's just as challenging & creative and the closest thing I've seen to clever Portal style mechanics sequel in all but name. You play the twelve-year-old nephew of the brilliant but half-mad genius Professor Fitz Quadwrangle (decently voiced by actor John de Lancie (remember Q from Star Trek?)) Something goes wrong and dimensions start to shift. Soon you're put through a series of Portal-style levels, but instead of controlling just direction, you also control gravity & time through a combination of 4 dimensions you can eventually select at will 1. Fluffy (everything 10x lighter), 2. Heavy (everything 10x heavier), 3. Reverse (gravity is reversed and anything that isn't nailed down accelerates up at the same speed it would normally fall down), and 4. Slow time (by a factor of 10-20x or so).

    The game works out really well, soundtrack and voice acting are good, GFX are OK (you obviously don't play these for super eye candy). The puzzles are very well thought out which is what counts in these games, and if you loved Portal then this is well worth a shot. I'm giving it a 9 rather than 10 as some timed platforming is a little tricky (at least before you get the slo-mo dimension shift), but it's hardly a game-breaking issue.    … Expand
  31. Ra-Qin
    Dec 4, 2012
    8
    John deLancie (aka "Q" from ST:NG) quides you through the tutorial, and pokes fun all game long...as he will do in his well-casted roles. And who better to explain dimensional rifts, fluffy space, and the unavoidable indeterminacy of faux-quantum physics without the gamer becoming dizzy. Kim Swift creator of Portal and lead designer of this title puts Quantum Conundrum right in line forJohn deLancie (aka "Q" from ST:NG) quides you through the tutorial, and pokes fun all game long...as he will do in his well-casted roles. And who better to explain dimensional rifts, fluffy space, and the unavoidable indeterminacy of faux-quantum physics without the gamer becoming dizzy. Kim Swift creator of Portal and lead designer of this title puts Quantum Conundrum right in line for greatness; it's flawless, cheap, fun, challenging, well made, and laugh out loud funny. We need more games like this!

    If you love Portal 1 & 2, get this now. If you love puzzles, get this now. If you love to laugh...GET THIS NOW! BUY IT!!! BUY IT NOW!!! BUY IT NOW!!!    … Expand
  32. spydercanopus
    Feb 23, 2013
    6
    Resolution only gots up to 1920x1200 have to force geforce drivers to enable antialiasing and other standard graphics features. Menus optimized for controllers and not mouse. Unrealistic expectations for "time goals". Very frustrating to be a quarter second off after playing through a crappy level 10 times having to listen to the scientist tell the same joke each time. Slippery feel toResolution only gots up to 1920x1200 have to force geforce drivers to enable antialiasing and other standard graphics features. Menus optimized for controllers and not mouse. Unrealistic expectations for "time goals". Very frustrating to be a quarter second off after playing through a crappy level 10 times having to listen to the scientist tell the same joke each time. Slippery feel to movement controls (Tip: turn off mouse smoothing to reduce the "slippery" controls.)… Expand
  33. vahn
    Oct 27, 2012
    8
    To me, this is what "portal 2" should have been: innovation, new ideas, fresh puzzles and, most importantly, a challenging game overall. I always look forward into puzzle games with interesting mechanics and when I saw this game about changing dimensions I really got curious and I wanted to see how it would go, and luckily my hopes weren't crushed. First of all, I like how the graphics areTo me, this is what "portal 2" should have been: innovation, new ideas, fresh puzzles and, most importantly, a challenging game overall. I always look forward into puzzle games with interesting mechanics and when I saw this game about changing dimensions I really got curious and I wanted to see how it would go, and luckily my hopes weren't crushed. First of all, I like how the graphics are simple yet colorful: it's a nice touch and really looks nice in this game, especially since when you use a different dimension, even the colors change according to that dimension (and props too). The mansion is huge and puzzles are many: you have 4 choices of dimensions (fluffy, heavy, slowmo, reverse gravity) but you won't always have all of them which means you need to work out with whatever you got. Puzzles have different difficults: some are easy, some are very challenging and sometimes you'll need to think quite much in order to go on, but strangely never seems unfair and it's usually VERY logic. Overall, the puzzles are very good and, at least for me, they are varied.. The story is almost non existant: you basically have to power up the generators of your uncle's house, and for that you need to do these puzzles in order to reach the generator. Only big flaw for me, at least I think it is, is that there's almost no life inside the house (except for that little furball that always disappears!). You'll basically never see anyone (not even your uncle. Not even yourself), showing that it's a very simple game....Infact I believe it's also kinda short (I haven't finished it yet, but I played for 4 hours and I'm at 3/4 of the game), and for that we will have future dlc (cheap at least), but except that we only have challenges (which I never do, but for those who like them...). Overall, It's a very good game and attempts a new concept (sort of) and a variety of ideas for the puzzles: it's not as detailed as many other games (like portal 1 or 2) but for 15 bucks it's a very puzzle game and it's pretty harmless (as in, it could have been more, but it didn't overdo it, and to me it's fine). If you like puzzle games, give it a look, you might enjoy it a lot.… Expand
  34. DragonFax
    Dec 30, 2012
    10
    This game is great. I don't know how anyone can dislike it.

    Its funny, Its well coded and tested, great voice acting. There's a great deal of variety in the powers and puzzles in the game. And its very long for a puzzle game. Even after you finish the main storyline puzzles, there are still a ton of additional levels to complete. Some of the puzzles did require a bit of timing, but    This game is great. I don't know how anyone can dislike it.

    Its funny, Its well coded and tested, great voice acting. There's a great deal of variety in the powers and puzzles in the game. And its very long for a puzzle game. Even after you finish the main storyline puzzles, there are still a ton of additional levels to complete.

    Some of the puzzles did require a bit of timing, but none of them were impossible or "blocking". Not once did I have to go and look up the answer online, as long as I gave it a good thought and tried a few things.    … Expand
  35. bedsidetrash
    Apr 28, 2013
    6
    pros: Interesting mechanics and a couple really good puzzles. some decent platforming levels. cheap.
    cons: half the game is filler not real puzzles. The story is awful and same with the dialogue. The environment is very boring Antechamber has an awesome environment even though its an Indie but this game tried to imitate the environment of bigger budget games on the cheap.
    If you    pros: Interesting mechanics and a couple really good puzzles. some decent platforming levels. cheap.
    cons: half the game is filler not real puzzles. The story is awful and same with the dialogue. The environment is very boring Antechamber has an awesome environment even though its an Indie but this game tried to imitate the environment of bigger budget games on the cheap.

    If you like puzzle games, don't mind playing games directed at children (or you are a child), and you're bored, its worth 10 dollars.    … Expand
  36. bloodrizer
    Nov 12, 2012
    4
    This game is like portal 2, only boring and repetitive. I was more excited with watching in-game paintings changing art styles in a different game modes then actually playing game itself. I'm fine with a game being arcade itself, although there are much better arcades with puzzle elements. And I hate laser levels with constant trial-and-error parts the most.
  37. JimCorbett
    Nov 17, 2012
    7
    This game does become very frustrating at times, especially if you're trying to reach the time and shift goals in each level. The environments do get a bit repetitive as well, but the addition of new dimensions throughout the game keeps the experience fresh. The puzzles are challenging to get right and require a bit of thought. Like most puzzle games, the story is non-existent, but thatThis game does become very frustrating at times, especially if you're trying to reach the time and shift goals in each level. The environments do get a bit repetitive as well, but the addition of new dimensions throughout the game keeps the experience fresh. The puzzles are challenging to get right and require a bit of thought. Like most puzzle games, the story is non-existent, but that doesn't keep it from being a rather pleasant experience.… Expand
  38. dumle
    Nov 29, 2012
    5
    Quantum Conundrum is a clever little game. The commentator is nice and quirky and the visual design is pleasantly unique. The puzzles work overall well enough, it should be mentioned that a lot of them is based on platforming which might scare some people away. The platforming works alright considering that its a first person game. A couple of puzzles later in the game does get a littleQuantum Conundrum is a clever little game. The commentator is nice and quirky and the visual design is pleasantly unique. The puzzles work overall well enough, it should be mentioned that a lot of them is based on platforming which might scare some people away. The platforming works alright considering that its a first person game. A couple of puzzles later in the game does get a little bit annoying since the platforming gets a little bit harder and you really start to feel the limitations of the first person view. But overall they puzzles are quite nice though a little bit samey. What i do think the games six hour-ish campaign is missing though is impact. Even the ending is abruptly finished and never reaches the big climax. QC is a nice little puzzle game but no more. I would still recommend it though if you are a fan of the genre.… Expand
  39. ArMoRofGOD
    Nov 25, 2012
    5
    This game is not worth your time. Anyone who compares it to portal as if it is any where near it is mistaken. Portal already has done everything this game set out to do, it is unnecessary and not worth the purchase, regret buying.
  40. Doghealer
    Aug 19, 2012
    5
    This game tries - perhaps a bit too hard - to be like Portal. All the key components are there.

    There's just one HUGE thing wrong with it. It's got a heck of a lot more platforming than it should have. I strongly believe that platforming and 1st person cameras will never, ever work, and my death pattern throughout this game would back that up. It's still definitely a puzzler like Portal    This game tries - perhaps a bit too hard - to be like Portal. All the key components are there.

    There's just one HUGE thing wrong with it. It's got a heck of a lot more platforming than it should have. I strongly believe that platforming and 1st person cameras will never, ever work, and my death pattern throughout this game would back that up. It's still definitely a puzzler like Portal with a similar difficulty curve to Portal 2 (IE, rather easy), but those nagging platforming sections seriously dilute the thinking challenge I feel this game intended to deliver.

    Long story short: Obvious parody, decent (and new!) idea, off-target execution.    … Expand
  41. PeanutsKill
    Nov 9, 2012
    7
    While I enjoyed this game, it was certainly not the experience that I was hoping for. The puzzles are fun for a while but seemed to get stale after playing the game for very long. At many points in the game it feels more like a platformer than a puzzle game as I spent too much time on moving a safe or box into the perfect spot or failing to execute a jump properly. The story is sub-par atWhile I enjoyed this game, it was certainly not the experience that I was hoping for. The puzzles are fun for a while but seemed to get stale after playing the game for very long. At many points in the game it feels more like a platformer than a puzzle game as I spent too much time on moving a safe or box into the perfect spot or failing to execute a jump properly. The story is sub-par at best and while the Professor's dialogue throughout the game can be amusing at time it just feels like a bit too much. The game is definitely worth playing and I feel like I should enjoy it much more than I do but something about it just leaves me unsatisfied.… Expand
  42. cscalfani
    Nov 18, 2012
    5
    Unlike Portal, this game is all about performance not intellect. Nothing is more frustrating than spending 2 minutes solving the puzzle and 20 mins trying to execute it.

    The biggest problem with this game is that shifting physics do NOT lend themselves to interesting puzzles that require real thinking. So, the game designers had to resort to jumping and timing. Now anyone who's    Unlike Portal, this game is all about performance not intellect. Nothing is more frustrating than spending 2 minutes solving the puzzle and 20 mins trying to execute it.

    The biggest problem with this game is that shifting physics do NOT lend themselves to interesting puzzles that require real thinking. So, the game designers had to resort to jumping and timing.

    Now anyone who's played any FP game knows that no one, and I mean no one, can jump accurately in FP mode. It's like walking around your house while looking through a rolled up newspaper and trying not to get injured.

    If your unlucky jumping doesn't kill you, don't worry, the next one will. There are so many requirements for jumping and jumping and jumping where the final jump is your doom. This sends you back to the last checkpoint, which is usually not too far back and one of the game's strong points. And it's a good thing too because it would be unplayable otherwise.

    And then layer on timing requirements. Don't jump in the right direction at the right time and it's back to the checkpoint for you.

    This game suffers from the traditional solution that most designers resort to when a game is too easy. Death. Death everywhere. Any false move and death. Die, die, die. That'll slow them down.

    Dying is fine when I've made a mistake. But when you rely on continuously killing your player off to extend the play time, you've failed.    … Expand
  43. Cinemachine
    Jan 20, 2013
    9
    Worth the money, some parts of the game can be extremely difficult and quite frustrating, but the interesting gameplay and physics engine are something else. Definitely give this game a look.
  44. A_Metal_Penguin
    Jul 28, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Perfect. This game has a beautiful story. The game starts off telling you that you are a young boy who is dropped off at his uncle's by his mother because she simply doesn't care about you. Then, you find out your uncle is in trouble. You help him and he helps you. You two actually have a bond and truly care about each other.

    The game play is also quite a lot of fun. Challenging puzzles with unique mechanics. Beautiful and interesting environments and art style. A wonderful, unique adventure filled with great humor.    … Expand
  45. Qarren
    Mar 7, 2021
    6
    I've been lied to. The biggest conundrum here isn't the quantum one, but the conundrum of whether this game tries too hard to be Portal, or doesn't try hard enough. Quantum mechanics ain't got nothin' on the intricacies of Game Feel.
    And that's just it. The mixed reviews Quantum Conundrum receives always circle around this game's connection to and clear influence from Portal, and to what    I've been lied to. The biggest conundrum here isn't the quantum one, but the conundrum of whether this game tries too hard to be Portal, or doesn't try hard enough. Quantum mechanics ain't got nothin' on the intricacies of Game Feel.
    And that's just it. The mixed reviews Quantum Conundrum receives always circle around this game's connection to and clear influence from Portal, and to what extent that was achieved. I'm shamed to say that I won't be breaking the mould today. There's no opinion on this game so controversial that it can't be reasoned by the simple fact that this game is inherently going to compared to a game often considered a masterpiece. But alas, they tried and I'll never discourage that in game development. If you stop trying, you'll start developing ANTHEMs; and nobody wants that.
    So why do people consider this an inferior Portal? Let's see.
    Storywise, there's little to tell. You're a boy dropped off at his genius Uncle's mansion, experiment goes wrong, Uncle gets trapped in another dimension and you have to save him. You're the good ol' silent protagonist type, like Portal, in order to allow the player to insert themselves into the character. Except, finding portraits of yourself sulking during previous visits to the manor starts to rub away that blank slate that defines a silent protagonist. Not a big deal, but it's a small example of a rolling snowball that demonstrates how this game misses the Portal mark in the most nuanced ways.
    Also remember that Portal immersively and subtly created a dark atmosphere of suspense surrounding the whimsical cover? And how that added depth to a story with little actual driving action? Conundrum doesn't do that. Conundrum has the depth of a piece of paper left in an industrial hydraulic press. Also remember how GLADOS was a well-written and witty narrator that was utilised sparingly so as to not become annoying? Well guess which parts of that sentence Conundrum got switched around! About 3 throwaway one-liners or lines giving useless information per puzzle make your Uncle a less-welcome entertainer and narrator than Adam Sandler was an adult.
    Besides a shallow rendition of the Portal identity that reads as a blurb to the real text, what else can a humble Valve fan expect to revisit? Gameplay structure, that's what.
    A puzzle platformer that uses science-fiction devices to manipulate the game world to open the door at the end of the room, and rinse and repeat. Weight, time and gravity are yours to toy with, and instead of using this godlike power to rule the world, or at least mess with PS5 scalpers, you silently vow to save the Uncle who rejects you in favour of a Cheshire Cat cosplayer. 2/3 of this game these bargain-bin-infinity-gauntlet puzzles are good. They may seem to replicate Portal's straightforward mechanics in a highly controlled environment, but you'll soon learn. The last hour or 2 of the game becomes less about puzzle and solution, and more about ridiculous precision platforming. And suddenly these aren't highly controlled environments anymore. Eventually, you'll befall the ironic fate of relying on chaos theory. Rather than waste time attempting to time actions out to the nano-second and having to wait an hour for mistimed set-pieces to align in your favour again, the real solution is just to play God's Playground with quantum reality until eventually things kind of just work out. If Portal had suddenly changed genre in the final act, and had been this loose and undefined with its setups then that classic Valve fear of 3 might have been 2. I don't suppose Quantum Conundrum 2 fixed these problems, considering that improvement has a pre-requisite of actually f&$king existing.
    Okay, so it focuses too heavily on platforming in the end. Plenty of games change their gameplay towards the end. So does it do so to make you adapt the skills you learned to a new, unique set of challenges? Maybe. Hard to tell because of the simple fact that this kind of formula twist only works when the foundational mechanics are still designed to f^#king support it.
    The simple platforming in the early game is usable, and actually quite fun. But precision platforming when the FOV at its smallest means you can't see the floor for about 3 metres in front of you, and the largest, only a few points later, warps the world worse than wearing drunk goggles while high on shrooms tends to mean that you have no sense of space... in a 3D platformer. Not to mention how much of this requires the manipulation of momentum, otherwise known as the one physics concept you have absolutely no control over. Sure, just time out this jump when you can't move your platform more than 1 metre per minute so you won't reach the thing you're supposed to land on without buying airline tickets first.
    So that's Portal, except with less character, consistency and attention to detail. I had a good time mostly. I just wish Ike hadn't become my goofy sleep paralysis demon.    … Expand
  46. Voyou
    May 17, 2021
    4
    Boring.
    Felt like I spent more time running through similar-looking corridors than playing. Plus I didn't find the mechanics entertaining.
  47. agurczuk
    Jun 21, 2016
    8
    This is basically portal game set in a Despicable Me universe.

    In the game you are a child of about ten years old that gets sent to his uncle. But your uncle is in fact a crazy scientist that cares little for you. And upon your arrival it turns out that your uncle is stuck in some weird dimension and needs your rescuing. So you put on dimensional glove and embark on a journey to find    This is basically portal game set in a Despicable Me universe.

    In the game you are a child of about ten years old that gets sent to his uncle. But your uncle is in fact a crazy scientist that cares little for you. And upon your arrival it turns out that your uncle is stuck in some weird dimension and needs your rescuing. So you put on dimensional glove and embark on a journey to find your uncle in his crazy scientist mansion.

    The game plays like portal with the only difference being you do not control portals - instead you do control dimensions. You gradually get to control up to four dimensions in order to manipulate objects and progress deeper into the mansion.

    The puzzles are well designed and require some thinking at times. Though are not extremely overcomplicated but rather just right. The use of different dimensions and their combinations is clever and interesting. There are a few puzzles that require agility as well apart from clever dimension use which is quite nice.

    The graphic is cartoony and cheerful, and fits well within the game setting. The narration is funny and witty adding to the general atmosphere of the game.

    I had really good fun playing it and can happily recommend it for picking up if you like games like portal.    … Expand
  48. Wrathzo
    Mar 22, 2022
    7
    Quantum Conundrum is a puzzle-platform game developed by Airtight Games and published by Square Enix. As the boy protagonist, the player can run and jump, interact with various switches, and lift light objects. The player can die by falling into toxic liquids, bottomless pits, or falling from too great a height, and if hit by destructive lasers; this will restart the player at the start ofQuantum Conundrum is a puzzle-platform game developed by Airtight Games and published by Square Enix. As the boy protagonist, the player can run and jump, interact with various switches, and lift light objects. The player can die by falling into toxic liquids, bottomless pits, or falling from too great a height, and if hit by destructive lasers; this will restart the player at the start of a puzzle or a checkpoint if passed. The goal of each room is to reach its exit door, though it may be necessary to activate certain switches or other devices before the exit can become available.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best PC Game of 2012
92
#92 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 60 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 60
  3. Negative: 1 out of 60
  1. Riot Pixels
    Jan 29, 2013
    60
    Quantum Conundrum lacks many things that made Portal so entertaining. It never shocks you with amazing possibilities. It doesn't make you head spin with ingenious ways to solve a trite problem. It doesn't force you to look at the problem at a completely different angle. This is just a puzzle about moving boxes from one place to another.
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  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 14, 2012
    76
    Interesting puzzles, marred by dull environments and stupid requirement for jumping, seemingly with roller skates. [Sept 2012]
  3. PC Master (Greece)
    Aug 31, 2012
    79
    If you enjoyed Portal, puzzle games in general, or… Mirror's Edge (due to the first-person platforming), buy Quandum Conundrum with no second thoughts. It's not a perfect game, technically it's somewhat mediocre and the humorous personality of Portal is absent, but the gameplay is fun and- like always- that's what it's all about. [August 2012]
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