One of the games I’m most looking forward to this year is an abstract indie puzzler called Antichamber that Machinima calls “an MC Esher-like mindfuck.” If there exists a combination of magic words that have the power to make me want to play or purchase a game immediately, it might be that.
It’s a game that many reviewers have been comparing to Portal, and understandably so. In Antichamber, self-described as “a mind-bending psychological exploration game,” you move through stark rooms and corridors with bright explosions of color solving puzzles to escape each chamber.
The Gamers Hub posted this great in-depth preview of Antichamber that gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect:
After having spent nearly an hour fully absorbed into the crisp, sharp visuals and ambient soundtrack whilst solving puzzles, it was interesting to see how my fellow gamers approached the same problems; the results of my observation? Everyone plays differently. Simple and direct instructions adorn the walls of each puzzle room, designed to help you as much as hinder you – yet many players didn’t even bother to give them the time of day, others would defiantly ignore the advice given, and many would ponder for too long and thus overthink a painfully simple problem.
The puzzles on offer vary quite wildly, some requiring you to trigger switches, whilst others ask you to do incredibly simple things like walk through a room or persevere at a menial task. It’s nice to find a game that keeps you so on your toes, never really knowing what’s asked of you, yet continually putting obstacles in your path that have blindingly simple solutions; and that’s the beauty of Antichamber.
Do yourself a favor and watch this teaser:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT2VlffrSMg#!
It’s almost like a video game version of Beyond the Black Rainbow, which is the highest compliment I could possibly give.
