Metropolis: Lux Obscura

 Switch
User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 6 out of 13

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  1. GBG_Jason
    Apr 4, 2018
    4
    Not too long ago people viewed mobile games as a bit of a joke. One of the standout games that appeared to take the platform by storm in 2012 was Puzzle and Dragons, which later saw a Nintendo version on 3DS in 2015. The main mechanic of this game is matching up tiles in rows of three or more. This is not the first game to utilize this mechanic, and it’s far from having been the last, butNot too long ago people viewed mobile games as a bit of a joke. One of the standout games that appeared to take the platform by storm in 2012 was Puzzle and Dragons, which later saw a Nintendo version on 3DS in 2015. The main mechanic of this game is matching up tiles in rows of three or more. This is not the first game to utilize this mechanic, and it’s far from having been the last, but it brought the style of gameplay to the forefront for many. While not something you’d likely find in AAA games outside of the odd minigame, it’s easy to pick up, so it’s nice to see what kind of variations developers apply to it.

    Metropolis: Lux Obscura is a motion comic with some minor decision making containing several different story beats and endings depending on your choices; the main gameplay mechanic surrounding the story are match 3 battles. Almost every section you come across will involve a battle, each of which will play out differently. Enemies will attack you after a certain amount of turns, and you must deplete their health before they do yours or its game over. The tiles you match will do damage to the enemy, damage you, heal you, or increase your damage multiplier. Failing isn’t too big of a deal, as the game saves after each milestone and you can continue to attempt the story as many times as necessary. Each completed battle also allows you to choose from a selection of different upgrades, which may increase health, strengthen the tiles used, in addition to other factors.

    The battles are by no means unique, but I found myself enjoying them about as much as you can. The upgrades are a nice touch, and being given the opportunity of getting more gear such as your gun to use in battle is a neat idea. If you’ve never played a game in this vein, you may find this to be a breath of fresh air. For anyone that is familiar with match 3 games, there’s not a whole lot of reason to jump into this, as the narrative isn’t all that compelling.

    The story is told in a noir fashion and does not shy away from being lewd. However, the “mature” content is not presented in a way that actually creates a riveting experience for a mature audience. Instead, it feels as though it’s there for the sake of getting an M rating on a match 3 game. The game can be completed in less than an hour for any given ending, and in that time you don’t really gain any connection with the characters. In my first playthrough one of the main characters went from being dismissive and rude in one scene to crying and essentially wanting to run away with me in the next one or two. I appreciate that it doesn’t beat around the bush, but when the story is this shallow, it almost feels as if it shouldn’t be there in the first place.

    Between missions you’re provided a map of the city, and while you are able to choose where you go, there is often times only one or two places highlighted that you can choose. Honestly, this creates a sense of choice when there isn’t any and is more frustrating than anything. Even when certain areas are partially lit up, you are not able to go there.

    As far as matching games go, this is far from the worst you can play. But then again, you can play many better ones for free. It’s an interesting concept that would fare much better if the story was fleshed out and you were given a reason to care about the characters you interacted with, but is a bit disappointing in its current state.    … Expand
  2. NuBIi
    Sep 5, 2019
    8
    This games isn't bad. I read reviews for it before buying it. It has a 49 on Metacritic. However, it was on sale for cheap, and I like match-3 games, so I still gave it a shot.

    The pros are, you can "Power up" after each match 3 battle. I also like that the matching tile doesn't have to be directly beside where you match. That gives more strategy. As risque for risque sake the story is,    This games isn't bad. I read reviews for it before buying it. It has a 49 on Metacritic. However, it was on sale for cheap, and I like match-3 games, so I still gave it a shot.

    The pros are, you can "Power up" after each match 3 battle. I also like that the matching tile doesn't have to be directly beside where you match. That gives more strategy. As risque for risque sake the story is, it's still fun to have a story for match 3. The fact it has four distinct endings is cool too.

    For the negative, I really wish that each story was longer, or that when you get to an ending, you can continue on with your already powered up character.

    At $5, if they came out with a sequel, I would buy it day one. I liked the art style, and 80% of the voice acting is great. This is a fun time waster. I never thought I would use this sentence, but...

    If you're looking for an adult oriented Match 3 game, this is the game for you!    … Expand
  3. swampthings
    Jun 3, 2020
    10
    This is an amazing game! I absolutely love the graphic novel component of the game. I wish other games visually told stories like this. It's true that it's very, very heavily inspired from Sin City, but it does tell a different story, with a different city.

    I liked it mostly for the story. The match 3 game to defeat enemies and progress the story is pretty good, also.
  4. abrus
    Feb 14, 2021
    7
    If you enjoy puzzle games and you like movies like Sin City then this is probably worth a download when it is on sale. I picked this up for $4 (mostly out of curiosity) and I had a good time with it for a few hours. I like the artwork, story and voice acting. At first the game seemed difficult until I worked out that success depends on carefully planning big 5 or 6 tile combos rather thanIf you enjoy puzzle games and you like movies like Sin City then this is probably worth a download when it is on sale. I picked this up for $4 (mostly out of curiosity) and I had a good time with it for a few hours. I like the artwork, story and voice acting. At first the game seemed difficult until I worked out that success depends on carefully planning big 5 or 6 tile combos rather than just chipping away with little 3 tile matches. I guess the most disappointing aspect about this game is the lack of branching paths in the story. If there were more choices for every playthrough the game would would have held my attention for much longer. I'm certainly glad I gave this game a try through.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
49

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 3 out of 5
  1. God is a Geek
    Apr 11, 2018
    30
    As a Switch port, this is very good but as a game it is not worth your time unless you’re a die hard for a Sin City like aesthetic and need a new match 3 game with it.
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  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Apr 6, 2018
    30
    Even if you don't care about the poor storytelling and juvenile understanding of the noir genre, Metropolis is still a supremely bland and uninteresting match-3 game; one that doesn't integrate the gameplay and narrative together in a particularly interesting way and yet somehow also wants people to play it four times to experience all the endings.
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  3. Nintenderos
    Apr 4, 2018
    65
    If you like Sin City you have two options: to get angry because you consider that both the story and the art direction are a simple plagiarism, or enjoy it as a tribute to the comic book. In our review, we’ve been postulating for the first option. Luckily, the game has an innovative turn-based role combat system, mixed with match-3 puzzles to have fun during its short durability.
    Read full review
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