Semispheres Reviews

Semispheres is ranked in the 48th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10.0
Feb 13, 2017

"Semispheres is a short, sweet, and succinct puzzle game. It's not too hard and the learning curve is fairly kind so non-puzzle gamers have nothing to fear here. The last few stages and levels will make you think though unless you exploit around them. Most will certainly appreciate the art and music which are arguably the game's best features. Hell, you could legitimately meditate to the tunes if you truly wanted. I can easily recommend this title to fans of the genre, just understand how long the experience will last."

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4 / 5
Feb 13, 2017

Semispheres’ puzzles are really fun to get into and you will definitely find yourself wanting more once they are complete. The intrinsic nature of the game really is it’s drive. It was a shame that although the story was quite interesting to go through, it just seemed like a byline to the puzzles. This was the only thing stopping me from giving this game top marks.

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7.6 / 10.0
Feb 16, 2017

A beautiful puzzle game with a brilliant twin stick gameplay that does nothing but delight.

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7 / 10
Nov 24, 2017

But, it is brevity that becomes the Achilles heel to Semispheres, an otherwise remarkable puzzle experience that is over in a few, short hours. However, I would still argue that it should be seen as time well spent that you won’t necessarily be demanding back anytime soon, but, with so much competition in the genre on Nintendo Switch now, there are other puzzlers on the Nintendo eShop that many will arguably feel that they can get more for their money from.

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2017

Whether or not you decide to take the plunge with Semispheres will really come down to whether you’re in search of a relatively humble but enjoyable collection of puzzles that will occupy most people for several hours depending on your relative skills. Even as a puzzle game fan at no point did it feel like a “been there, done that” situation that can commonly happen with games that have little ambition. In the case of Semispheres it all began with a great base idea and that expanded into something charming and fun that you can enjoy for a while.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 13, 2017

Overall Semispheres is not a bad game, it’s a genuinely fun puzzle game that will test your reflexes, timing as well how quickly you can solve a problem. It's unfortunate that it's let down by it’s extremely short length, inability to increase the difficulty or offer anything new on additional playthroughs.

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7.6 / 10.0
Sep 18, 2017

For an independent production, Semispheres is a pretty good surprise from Vivid Helix. The whole dual control concept and ingenious puzzles will give you an entertaining but sadly short experience on the Nintendo Switch.

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5.7 / 10.0
Feb 13, 2017

Semispheres is a clever blend of stealth and polarity-based puzzles but the content is severely lacking.

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87%
Feb 20, 2017

I enjoyed the relaxing pacing and feel of the game. While writing my Semispheres review, I continued to play the game even after I had drafted this review. When a game does that to you, you know it’s doing something right. The fact that there are no timers rushing you to beat a level as fast as possible, not to mention that there’s no “game over” of any sort as you play make this a very great pick up and play release that quickly puts you “in the zone.” I highly recommend Semispheres to puzzle game fans as it will provide you with many hours of fun before you manage to finish the final puzzle.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
8 / 10
Feb 14, 2017

The dual reality premise makes Semispheres distinctly unique in its gameplay and is a clever mechanic that other puzzle game developers would do well to take note of.

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9 / 10
Feb 13, 2017

Semisphere is a solid puzzle game, and it’s worth your time and money, It a relaxing experience that is perfect after a lousy day at school or work so that you can kick back and relax as you play to your heart’s content.

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Renan Fontes
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 14, 2017

What Semispheres lacks in quantity it more than makes up for it with quality. It's entirely possible to get through every puzzle in just a few short hours, but a reasonably high skill threshold and thought-provoking design ensure the experience remains memorable from start to finish. By having each Joy-Con correspond with each sphere, multiplayer is incredibly natural and comfortable. For that alone, the Switch port comes off as the definitive version. With a truly meditative ambience and stellar puzzle design, Semispheres can be enjoyed in blissful solitude just as much as in the company of a good friend.

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 13, 2017

Still, if you want to sit back and relax with your Switch, Semispheres is an enjoyable and serene puzzler that is both soothing and tough. The lack of overall meat to the game is a little disappointing, but the ride is very much worthwhile as long as you're okay with a shorter-than-expected time.

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7 / 10.0
Mar 15, 2017

A unique and well-crafted opportunity to test your grey matter.

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GameSpace
Robert BaddeleyRobert Baddeley
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 18, 2017

The bottom line is if you are looking for a game you can pick up when you have 15 minutes or two hours to spare, look no further.  There's no gear grind, there's no falling behind if you don't play for a day or a week and the mechanics are easy enough that you don't have to start over if you take too much time off.  It has become part of my evening routine before going to sleep and with plenty of levels to burn through, it's safe to say it's there to stay.

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4.5 / 10.0
Feb 14, 2017

Two thumbs, two analogs, two characters. Sadly, there are far better games which utilise that kind of premise.

Review in Polish | Read full review

6 / 10
Sep 25, 2017

Semispheres promises quite a lot but doesn't deliver the whole lot. That doesn't mean it's not a competent work, far from it – it's a very relaxing game with a fine difficulty curve and for those looking for a quick break, it will seem even better...but it could go further and bring a greater, more rewarding challenge and that's what's missing here.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

7 / 10
Sep 19, 2017

Overall then, Semispheres is a wonderful puzzle game with some incredibly clever level designs that will leave you stumped at times, a tricky but enjoyable twin-stick system, and a beautifully designed world with pleasing visuals and sound. A couple of things let the experience down slightly and the whole thing can be completed in under three hours, so it isn't a bargain for the asking price, but you'll definitely find enjoyment in getting to grips with the puzzles and character movement. A great buy for puzzle fans and a potential pleaser for everyone else too, Semispheres is certainly one to consider.

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7 / 10
Sep 15, 2017

Apart from unnecessary narrative and simultaneous action-oriented stray deviations, Semispheres deploys its half stealthy / half puzzling mechanics to their full extent, more easily experienced with a second player thanks to the Joy-Con.

Review in French | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 19, 2017

Semispheres is a smart, relaxing, and challenging puzzler that brings fresh ideas to the genre.

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