Semblance

Although the Blob in Semblance looks friendly and soft, the puzzles are sometimes tough.

Semblance is a game full of excellent and satisfying puzzles, marred only by some odd jankiness and a final level that doesn’t focus on the strengths of what had come before. While short, the experience was overall enjoyable, and a fun take on the idea of a world that can be deformed on your way to finishing a puzzle. It could definitely use more levels, but it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and in the end, isn’t it good for a game to leave you wanting more?

Semblance is a puzzle/platform like no other but nevertheless it's not as funny or as well executed as we hoped. The Nyamakop's video game lacks the spark that so desperately needs in order to really shine.

Semblance's haunting atmosphere and clever gameplay mechanics make it a memorable and satisfying puzzle platformer. However, once you're done with it, you'll wish that there was a lot more to experience.

A certain repetitiveness in solving the riddles and some hesitation during programming and level design make it a missed opportunity, although fully enjoyable for fans of the genre.

Semblance is a cool little game which invites you to experiment in various ways. Sadly, it’s way too short and there are some annoying bugs all over the place. But still, it’s a very interesting game.

Semblance is fun game that nails the fundamentals, but the limited scope and brevity don’t allow it the opportunity to really shine. Puzzle-platform fans will enjoy what is on offer here but will be left wanting for more.

By letting you morph the environment, Semblance is a new twist on the puzzler, asking you to creatively solve its challenges. New mechanics keep things fresh throughout, but also highlight what could have been if the game were longer and its ideas developed further.

With a soft world that you can bend with your actions, Semblance brings something unique to the 2D platformer. Barring some collision issues, it does provide a steady learning curve, with innovative challenges, all presented with a distinctive art style.

Semblance is a decent puzzle game that could've been a lot better with a more varied gameplay and a lengthier campaign.

Nyamakop has successfully completed the requirements for a good puzzle-platformer: a charming art direction, with part of the world made of playdough, and a creative gameplay experience that allows the player to shape the environment. A little too short, Semblance is definitely a worthwhile game for the Nintendo Switch.

Semblance is a breath of fresh air to the platforming genre and one that is entirely welcome. Puzzle lovers will enjoy the idea of working around a problem, casual players can find enjoyment in every aspect and speedrunners are going to have a blast working out movement tech to beat the game swiftly. No matter what category you fit into, Semblance is a must own game on the Switch, for no other reason than it breaks the mould.

It’s impossible not to recognize the polish and promise held in this short-but-sweet package. Especially as a first project, the game lays a great foundation. Fans of the genre will absolutely have a delightful, worthwhile time with Semblance.

Semblance is a unique game about reshaping the world to solve puzzles and to reach new places, but it doesn't push the concept to its true potential.

A fun puzzler platformer that may be too easy to become a real milestone for the genre.

Semblance is an original take on the platform genre, that allows us to mold and change the environment around us (floor, walls...) to pick up orbs to cure the world in little one screen puzzles. A simple but brilliant idea well executed, that often feels "limited" by the own developers. It's a shame that it doesn't last very long.

Semblance is a frequently delightful, innovative platformer that's all about breaking the rules. When it’s at its best, it’s devilishly clever, but it has a curiously stilted pacing and flow. Its subversive take on mouldable platforming is fun to play, but ultimately its underutilised core concepts will leave you wanting more.

Semblance is an astoundingly enjoyable puzzle game that never outstays its welcome.

Puzzle games can run into the issue of reusing an idea one too many times, ultimately losing its luster, but with Semblance that was never the case. Seemingly around every corner was another new and interesting idea, keeping this wonderfully paced journey fresh beginning to end.

Between that design creativity and the sheer stylistic beauty of it, Semblance is a game that'll stick in my mind for a long time.

Semblance lets you deform your platforms to solve puzzles how you want, but it limits your tools so severely that the promise of that idea is wasted on mediocre puzzles. It has a neat look, but like its core mechanic, it wears thin even before you get to the end of your two hour trip through the game.

Because it's so short, and the puzzles never get particularly fiendish, Semblance is an enjoyable but light experience. This isn't necessarily a bad thing--it's a relaxed game, a good one to clear over a few sessions in bed or on the train if you're playing on Switch--but it also means that it doesn't feel like the game realizes its full conceptual potential.

Semblance is a fresh and interesting take on puzzle platformers. Players who like testing their mental fortitude will want to jump right in. Those who struggle and are easily frustrated might have more reason to be cautious though

Semblance is a decent puzzle platformer with a unique take on the platforming portion of the genre. While the game’s linearity provides a better flow to the game, individual level checkpoints would have been appreciated.

Semblance offers an intriguingly fresh take on the age-old 2D platformer. Its story may be all visual and very much open to interpretation, but what it lacks in narrative density it more than makes up for with a generous helping of levels to explore where the platforming itself is a vital part of the puzzle to be solved. While it's lacking in long-term replay value, it’s a definitely worth your time if you’re looking for a new 2D challenge.