State of Mind Reviews
Daedalic's fixation with transhumanism takes State of Mind and puts it in a similar bracket as many of its counterparts that have created an advanced tech-infused world.
State of Mind has its moments to shine - certain plot beats in the final act do offer some genuine payoff, and some of those visuals are a joy to see running in docked mode or in handheld - but they're too often lost in a mire of storytelling cliche and science fiction tropes you've seen done better countless times before. A set of in-game achievements do help break up the lengthy plot, but the awkward voice acting and lack of cohesion between its gameplay ideas ultimately make for a muddled experience at best.
State of Mind offers few thrills among its twists and turns, yet the world it constructs feels worthy of investigation. It's a shame, then, that you're not free to explore it more. In fact, you're an observer for much of the tale, but thanks to some bold ideas, the game is compelling enough to hold your attention even if it isn't always as dazzling as you'd hope.
The originality of its vision and the thrust of its narrative more than excuse some sci-fi clichés, and you're left with a breezy adventure game which compels with its ideas, if not always with its play.
State of Mind explores transhumanism, fiction becoming reality, and the separation between the two. It looks at what it means to fragmented, and not whole, which really is the essence of humanity. It also explores how the strive for perfection through technology, may truly be the downfall of what it means to be human. The game is story-rich and cinematic, with layers upon layers of truth to uncover and figure out how it all fits together. It kept me glued to my screen like it was a TV show I was binging. Like Blade Runner, it left me reeling with questions and conspiracies as only a thrilling adventure that examines what it means to be human can do.
An interesting but also dystopian tale that gives us the chance to experience a sordid future. A narrative experience with thriller style and great script twists.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
State of mind is a science fiction adventure based upon the idea of transhumanism that forces us to reflect on it, also due to its narrative-oriented content. With this game Daedalic aimed for a first contact with a new gameplay but without casting away the thing that they love the most, which is telling stories.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
State of Mind has some interesting ideas about the future. Those ideas are presented in a mostly by-the-numbers point-and-click 3D adventure game wrapper, and there's nothing wrong with that. There's an almost believable look and feel to the various environments Richard and Adam find themselves in, though the low-poly character models don't always work as well as intended. Still, for those who just can't get enough of futuristic adventure point-and-click games, State of Mind is worth the virtual trip.
State of Mind has some great ideas, but it struggles to tie them together.
With its odd and yet striking visual style, State of Mind presents an intriguing world, in the precipice of a revolution. Following the exploits of a deeply flawed and complex character, the journey through the streets of Berlin is a fruitful one that I'm sure to remember. However, a myriad of pacing issues as well as a lack of interesting gameplay elements makes it very unlikely that I'll be visiting the year of 2048 anytime soon. Perhaps we'll see in thirty years.
State of Mind is an interesting story in modern science fiction genre with well-written characters, stylish graphics and a powerful brain-blowing ending.
Review in Russian |
State of Mind is a commendably well-presented, if challenge-light effort that dives head first into its deep and winding subject matter with nary a look over its polygonal shoulder. A mature adventure then that proves itself worthy of the descriptor.
Although the gameplay does not have much to offer and the longevity is very limited, it is practically impossible not to love this dynamic adventure of Daedalic Entertainmen: thanks to its own style, State of Mind is able to tell a story that is worth living.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Pick up State of Mind if you want to experience the reconstruction of memories in two realities. Avoid it if you want something more fast-paced.
State of Mind offers an intriguing near-future tale that doesn't quite deliver on its initial mystery. While it's cast of flawed – and in some cases unlikeable characters – are interesting to get to know, the plotting ultimately lets things down by failing to get you invested in the story, and asking you to suspend your disbelief a few too many times. While the unique presentation proves to be an excellent fit for the setting, and helps distinguish it from the crowd, the price of entry will scare off anyone who isn't actively seeking out this type of experience.
A game with a lot of narrative potential but no mechanics to keep you playing.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
State of Mind boasts an interesting and compelling plot, as well as a gem of an art style and multiple characters to choose from. However, it also exhibits some visible flaws, such as a rather slow-paced, predictable plot and puzzles which are all too linear. Overall, this is a good effort but which requires some improvement if it does not want to demotivate its players too early on.
Review in Portuguese |
State of Mind explores a future in which the world is in complete disarray and asks some difficult questions, but ultimately buckles under the weight of its own flaws.
Daedalic Entertainment's State of Mind wants players to explore the idea of what is it that makes us us, but never provides the player any real opportunity to do so. You simply follow the path and mark off another check mark. In the end all you're really doing is little more than counting electric sheep.
State of Mind stands as the most ambitious brainchild of award-winning German game writer/designer Martin Ganteföhr and it executes its purpose as a satisfactory narrative-driven experience despite it uninspired setting and disappointing main character. The puzzles are benign enough as to not impact the pacing, and the questions raised aren't enough to ignite a wholly new philosophical discussion on transhumanism, but the plot hits more than it misses and remains entertaining enough throughout.