Etherborn Reviews
Etherborn has all the good ideas for a clever puzzle game. Then it ends after only four levels, never exploring its mechanics in a way that makes them stand out.
A game with a lot on offer but currently lacking finer detail.
There’s still fun to be had in solving Etherborn‘s puzzles, but given how insanely short the game is, I’d probably recommend giving it a pass until you can find it on sale.
But these are overshadowed by the thin layer of frustration caused by the loose controls and overly restrictive camera. There is potential here and if you enjoy more artful puzzle games like the ones this game has been heavily compared to, it's at least worth a look. Just be ready for a few hangups along the way that might take you out of the experience.
Etherborn stumbles at times in its execution and gets lost in an unnecessary narrative, but there's no denying the puzzle design is brilliant.
Although Etherborn is a somewhat short and often frustrating adventure, its intricate stages are mostly a joy to solve.
For a platformer puzzler hybrid, Etherborn ticks most of the boxes in terms of having complex puzzles that are neither too easy or too difficult. The soundtrack and environment both compliment the game’s theme, but you don’t really spend enough time with it to be wowed. An interesting mechanic with the gravity-based puzzles means it’s recommendable to genre fans, but it’s not for everyone.
The challenging gameplay, gorgeous sound design, and stunning aesthetics all make Etherborn a worthwhile experience, even for those not fond of puzzle-platformers. Every level demonstrates a craftsmanship that encourages the curiosity to think and engage with the world. Completing puzzles is satisfying, even if the length of the game is not. Some minor issues may crop up along the way, but Etherborn is still a clever, fun game that challenges players and their perspective of the world.
If you can get past the clunky controls and funny camera angles, then you can find a lot of enjoyment in this very unique puzzler.
Etherborn is a space and gravity bending puzzle game that challenges your spatial awareness, however despite a very compelling hook and lovely visuals it runs out of ideas very quickly.
Whether you're walking on the ground, the wall or the ceiling, in Etherborn this is all just a matter of perspective - and the game is wonderfully built around this unique idea of shifting gravity, offering complex level design and a great sense of scale. The only question, then, is why you're doing all of this, as the overarching story doesn't explain itself very well and leaves you with more questions than answers.
Review in German | Read full review
It’s a carefully directed, genuinely beautiful game well worth your time.