Manifold Garden

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. DarkStation
    Oct 26, 2020
    100
    Stunningly beautiful as it can be, Manifold Garden can also be mentally exhausting after long stretches. As much as I never wanted to put the controller down, there were moments I had to take a break whenever I felt it difficult to concentrate on the growing complexity of what I needed to accomplish. Manifold Garden is complex, gorgeous, intelligent, and without any doubt, one of the best puzzle experiences you can have on the PlayStation 4.
  2. God is a Geek
    Aug 18, 2020
    85
    Manifold Garden is a gorgeous puzzler that is something very different. It will test you and reward you in equal measure for a very unique experience.
  3. New Game Network
    Sep 3, 2020
    80
    Manifold Garden's unique aesthetic and creative puzzles result in a memorable journey that is well worth the price of admission.
  5. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Aug 22, 2020
    80
    Worth playing for the visuals alone, to take in and explore these strange and beautiful environments, which will be timeless. The puzzles are fun, but not as revolutionary. [Issue#179, p.68]
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  6. Gaming Age
    Sep 16, 2020
    75
    While some of the early puzzles are pretty easy to solve, the further in you get, the more you need to be able to think in terms of 3D space, since you can shift gravity to get a different perspective on everything. As someone who’s terrible at spatial reasoning puzzles, I’m not going to lie: there were times when I felt like my brain was pushed to the breaking point. Even so, it still felt like there was a pretty sizable discrepancy between what Manifold Garden achieves artistically, and what it achieves as a game. The latter is pretty forgettable, whereas the former occasionally borders on breathtaking. I leave it up to you how much weight you place on those two halves, but for me, it added up to a somewhat uneven whole.
  7. Push Square
    Aug 18, 2020
    70
    The star of the Manifold Garden show is far and away its presentation, and witnessing it in motion is worth the asking price alone. It's just a shame the puzzles themselves can't quite hit those same levels of spectacularity.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. yanikz
    Sep 5, 2020
    9
    When I first finished the game I thought it was pretty cool... A mix of easier and more challenging puzzles, coupled with this uniqueWhen I first finished the game I thought it was pretty cool... A mix of easier and more challenging puzzles, coupled with this unique loop-mechanic. But now that I went for the Platinum Trophy, I gained a whole new appreciation for the game. Some of the secret passages, and how they were all connected, simply blew me away. Very well thought out paths that were really hard to piece together. Thank god for the guide I found, which helped me through my struggles.

    All in all, a very well crafted puzzler for newbies and veterans of the genre alike. Paired with the unique art design and atmospheric soundtrack, it was a really great experience.    … Full Review »
  2. valente_nebula
    Aug 29, 2022
    10
    Manifold Garden is an incredible and original 3D puzzler. Think of it as an Escher acid trip. It plays with concepts like infinite, recursion,Manifold Garden is an incredible and original 3D puzzler. Think of it as an Escher acid trip. It plays with concepts like infinite, recursion, gravity, physics... all in an engaging, creative and top notch way - all from gameplay, visual & sound design standpoints.

    The way the puzzles click once you figured them out is extremely rewarding, and the whole length of the game is photo-worthy. It's literally like the best piece of video art you have ever seen, only it's playable and also absurdly good at that too. The music & sounds feel suited for each moment and environment of the game, creating tension, relief, calm and excitement - all in the right measure. The difficulty is another aspect that's well realized, as it gets tricky towards the end - but just enough to feel right too.

    It's simply a masterpiece and an absolute must play for any puzzle genre enthusiast - but also for general audience. Go play this gem.    … Full Review »
  3. wesker2012
    Dec 27, 2021
    8
    Finally beat this puzzle game after coming back to it. Puzzles can make your brain hurt but are satisfying to solve. Was very impressed withFinally beat this puzzle game after coming back to it. Puzzles can make your brain hurt but are satisfying to solve. Was very impressed with the visuals, mechanics, and design of the game. It's simple and complex at the same time. Would love to see more puzzle games from this studio.… Full Review »
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