Analysis of the Enigma machine

The AI ​​of The Enigma Machina has a lot to say…

There is a video game which, beyond the pleasure it can convey, offers other types of experiences. Something concrete, explicit and in the case that we present to you in this analysis, disturbing. This is what happened to me The puzzle machinea title of Enigma Studio there Dolores Entertainment which after going through PC three years ago, is making an appearance on current-gen consoles. If you like metaphysical paradoxes, and by the way solve an enigma in a most chilling environment, do not hesitate to continue reading our analysis.

It’s all part of the exercise

The Enigma Machine puts us in a somewhat picturesque situation. We are responsible for fool us into an AI’s memories of an android that ended up in a computer program. The motives, the reasons and the unfolding of the story will be told thanks to the conversations that we will have directly with this Artificial Intelligence. (Of course, we are not going to say anything in this analysis). Unfortunately, this entity doesn’t quite remember how it got there, so it will be our turn. enter a series of levels and “decontaminate” their memories to find out exactly what is going on.

A game First Person Horror Puzzler

We could classify the game in the genre of walking simulator, although there will also be times to solve a series of puzzles, and even more tense moments where we will fight our way with a weapon in hand. In the end, that’s all and that’s nothing. Like I said previously, it’s hard to categorize an experience that only lasts an hour and offers so much variety in such a short time.

polygonal virtual world

Each level will ask us find a code that allows us to decontaminate the AI’s memories a little more. Everything will be puzzle-based, some simpler and some more frustrating, in a setting that is the real protagonist of the game. Immersing yourself in each room is like a trip down memory lane in 3D, with ill-defined storylines, glitches, visual glitches, and all the graphical glitches that plagued 20 years ago. But on purpose, and it gives a very bad atmosphere.

It’s very curious to find things like that in modern times, and unlike today, it fits very well with the context of the game. Everything has a reason to appear so, and what we consider to be an error in the program… maybe it’s a clue to keep moving forward. Each piece captures the classic essence of puzzle solving. Even the interaction with the scene, however raw, makes sense.

System error, press Alt+F4 to fix it

And the eye, what may seem pleasant and a trip to the past for some, may become an ordeal for others. Having to activate a mouse pointer with Kgs then mark your actions with Rb It’s weird at first, but if we give it a chance we’ll see what we can do with this control. Even the “conversational” parts with the AI ​​seem tedious at first, but they have to be. It’s the “sauce” of the game, which defines this experience.

At first, it can be quite difficult for us to enjoy The Enigma Machine, and this is due to the poor optimization of the consoles we found. The interface has been kept as if it were a PC monitor, and there are extremely small screen elements and text. Also, to talk to our virtual friend, we will have to use a keyboard, also with poor visibility. If we can adapt to this game system, with its interface limitations, we will appreciate what everything else offers.

Conclusion of the puzzle machine

Players who want short, different and intense experiences have an appointment with the work of Enigma Studio and Dolores Entertainment. The adaptation to consoles may not be the best, and there will be very small texts that we can hardly read, but if we put a little on our side (especially at the beginning) we will surely hang on with the story that arises. For me, it was a breath of fresh air. An adventure that without being terror, manages to put you in tension. A game that without becoming enigmas, makes you think of finding the key (pun intended). A conversational adventure that, without many dialogue options available, entertains you with reflections and memories emitted by the AI. It’s a different proposition, and that’s its best virtue.