Exographer Review

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Developer: SciFunGames

Genres: Platform game, Puzzle, Adventure game, Adventure

Engine: Unity

Publisher: Abylight Studios

Initial release date: May 24, 2024

As you may think, I play a lot of video games. As a result, it is rare for me to struggle with a game, but this is largely due to the delightfully accessible time of gaming we are currently experiencing. However, there are occasions when a game is too challenging or intelligent for my little brain, and the struggle becomes genuine. Exographer is a game that is far too clever for someone who hasn’t considered scientific classes in well over a decade, yet it’s unquestionably intriguing.

In Exographer, you play as one of the titular Exographers on a rescue operation. After about ten seconds of a cutscene, your small space scientist is whisked to an alien planet that needs your help, and you will only be able to rescue the day if you use the technology available to the Exographers and your knowledge of particles. There’s a lot of thick science lore you’ll find on your quest to flesh out this adventure concerning “absurd materials” and other technical phrases, but I’d prefer not expose myself as a physics dunce here and try to explain it any further.

Exographer is a puzzle platformer with an intriguing twist. The first item you discover on your quest is a camera, which you can use to photograph your surroundings in order to scan them or to observe invisible particle beams that are necessary for a puzzle. Any snapshot you take may be transferred to its place with the press of a button on your in-game tablet, so if you get stranded or need to cross a chasm after accessing a new door, you can do so easily. It’s a very innovative approach that is applied in a number of clever ways, making the problems really sing.

In Exographer, you’ll encounter a variety of familiar and unfamiliar tasks, such as figuring out how to direct beams using various tubes or locating codes concealed in the surroundings. The variety is absolutely great, yet if you’re looking for an easy ride, the meatier science part of the game may turn you off.

After collecting images of specific energy emitting locations in Exographer, you must analyze the photos to determine what particles are depicted. This is accomplished by examining several types of lines that connect to one another and determining which of them correspond with the tiles at the bottom of the screen. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock a variety of tools to help you with this, such as one that allows you to see whether lines are straight or squiggly (I’ll admit there’s a scientific term missing here), one that indicates the direction of the particle’s energy, and even a zoom tool that allows you to uncover even deeper layers of lines to investigate. Despite being inspired on real-world particle study, these portions serve as entertaining puzzles for a video game, but some may find them a tad dense, especially given the speed with which new elements are introduced.

Some sections of Exographer demand you to be in a logical thinking attitude and engage your brain rather deeply, whilst others, such as the exploring, are significantly easier to get into. Exographer is essentially a Metroidvania, with new powers that you gain as you continue, allowing you to backtrack and discover new items. An energy field ability enables your little scientist to cling to certain vines and walk straight through blocks composed of a specific material. Then there’s a unique boot improvement that lets you walk on some walls and ceilings to access new areas, as well as another ability that lets you move huge chunks of material to get there. .Combining these powers is quite entertaining, making exploring the lovely pixel art world even more interesting.

Exographer is a fantastic game with an unrivaled love of science, although it does have a few flaws that some people will dislike. The learning curve for particle puzzles is rather steep, and it took me a while to feel confident that I knew what I was doing when they appeared. There is also a lot of scientific text in both the narrative and your problem solving notebook that, if you are not academically inclined, will go right over your head, making the game more difficult to play as a result.

Exographer feels like the best scientific homework you could ever ask for, with mentally challenging yet intelligent puzzles and a fantastic environment to explore. The platforming puzzles are especially enjoyable to tackle, however some players may struggle with the game’s denser particle identification. If physics is your thing, Exographer will most certainly be a very remarkable game for you, but even those who are scientifically rusty will find a lot to enjoy in this intelligent title.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 79%

Controls: 77%

Aesthetics: 81%

Content: 78%

Accessibility: 75%

Value: 80%

Overall: 78%

MAPPING NEW GROUNDS!

Summary:

“Exographer” provides a unique experience for aficionados of world-building and cartography, allowing them to create comprehensive maps and explore fascinating regions. Gameplay is enjoyable for individuals who appreciate crafting and organizing, but it may feel tedious for others. Controls are clear, however a better interface would improve the user experience. Visually, “Exographer” is appealing, with clean designs and plenty of customizing choices for creating varied landscapes. With a reasonable quantity of information and tools, “Exographer” is a specialized yet satisfying title for creative minds and map-making lovers.