State of Mind Reviews
In sum, it seems like the vision of State of Mind was bigger and more robust than its end result. The core idea is interesting, but the execution fizzles out early and doesn't recover. Still, if you're into sci-fi and are looking for a game to roll through on a lazy Saturday, you could do worse than State of Mind.
All in all, I found the game to be interesting, and that there are few real action incidents the awkwardness of the avatar movements could objectively be viewed as another way to enforce the idea that the world is out of kilter.
State of Mind is an engrossing sci-fi thriller with a narrative so impressive that it often feels like a great season of a sci-fi tv show more than it does a video game
Whilst State of Mind boasts an impressive level of immersion for an indie title, its let down by its content. Half is exciting and fresh and involves unravelling the plot and exposing the secrets of the game, whereas the other half feels like filler. It’s a slow burning mystery and one that has a great finale and conclusion, but slow gameplay may result in the stones in this thriller being left upturned.
With a thrilling scenario that keeps the player spellbound until the epic ending, State of Mind, however, fails to captivate the player in the gameplay department, at least during the first half of the game. It remains a satisfying experience, with a real reflection on the excesses of a technology-based society.
Review in French | Read full review
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 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.
State of Mind is so obsessed with its story that it forgets what medium it's in. While a strong storyline and adept world-building can't be denied, the game can't escape its undercooked mechanics and puzzles.
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.
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 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.
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's aspiration of telling a recognisably human story set in a believable near future full of society-altering technology is so close to being great, but limited animation, outdated gameplay and occasionally stilted voice acting hold it back.
State of Mind's vision of future feels so real that it's frightening. Although it has some flaws, fans of the genre should keep it on the radar.
Review in Polish | Read full review
An intriguing sci-fi adventure with some neat concepts at its core, State of Mind's visual style and the prescribed nature of its action can be off-putting, but dig in for the ride, and you'll enjoy a smart narrative that eventually pays off. Definitely worth sticking with.
Disappointing as this lack of follow-up may be, State of Mind still delivers a stellar sci-fi experience that, while comparable to other entries in the genre, has a character all its own. Given the game's complex topics, don't expect to walk away feeling like all is well with the world, but you'll be more than glad you plugged in.
State of Mind is an interesting project that prioritises its story beyond all other aspects of the experience. Unfortunately, while it does feature a very interesting narrative and a lot of compelling ideas, they are not executed very well at all. Even those acclimatised to the pacing and narrowness of other more successful 'interactive stories,' such as The Walking Dead, will find State of Mind to be inextricably rigid and overly linear. Everything encountered is positioned there to further the story. Both Berlin and City 5 lack proper secondary interactions and spontaneous encounters. Even the most linear of adventures cannot completely ignore the player's implied sense of possibility and wonder, without seriously affecting the immersion. For this reason, it's hard to feel engaged in State of Mind, despite its highly compelling story content. It might even be more enjoyable to watch a streamer play through it, than do it for oneself. Ouch.
State of Mind's setting and story, once they get going, do a lot to really sell the game. Some fun puzzles and a fantastic art style help too. This is a world I want to spend more time in.
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.
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