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Abstract art, with its intriguing use of shapes, patterns, and colors, has captivated audiences for over a century. Translating this artistic style into the realm of video games, especially in 3D, presents a unique set of challenges. Altered Matter’s debut title, Etherborn, embraces these challenges, offering players a gravity-bending puzzle experience set within a visually striking abstract world. But does this innovative approach translate into a compelling gameplay experience?

A World Redefined by Gravity

Etherborn throws conventional physics out the window, redefining gravity itself. The world literally revolves around the player, with gravity always pulling “downwards” relative to the player’s position. Traversing sloping surfaces reorients the player’s perspective, transforming walls into floors and opening up eight distinct directions of movement. This innovative mechanic allows players to explore previously inaccessible areas, adding a layer of complexity to the puzzle-solving.

The game’s environments are constructed from massive, interconnected structures. Players navigate these structures, collecting polyhedral shapes and placing them into designated slots to unlock pathways. The constantly shifting gravity demands a unique approach to puzzle-solving, forcing players to visualize the environment from multiple perspectives.

Etherborn

Imagine moving across a sheet of paper—four directions, simple and straightforward. Now, visualize navigating the surface of a cube. The challenge intensifies, as only a portion of the world is visible at any given time. Players must mentally piece together the fragmented environment to find solutions to the puzzles.

Etherborn

Adding to the mystique, Etherborn employs a minimalist, abstract art style. Familiar objects are rendered in their most basic forms, prompting players to question their interpretations. Is that a tree? A greenhouse? A human figure? The ambiguous nature of the visuals contributes to the overall sense of mystery and wonder.

A Short-Lived Journey?

While the gravity-bending mechanics and abstract visuals are undoubtedly captivating, Etherborn falls short in other areas. The narrative, shrouded in cryptic and often nonsensical prose, feels disconnected from the gameplay experience.

“Unable to grasp what already existed, humans began to name the things that frightened them. They mastered the sky, the earth, and the whole world. Still living in fear, they bound what could not be seen, ranked it, and placed it inside a concept, however infinite it may be.”

This excerpt, representative of the game’s narrative style, leaves players grasping for meaning. Rather than enhancing the experience, the convoluted storytelling detracts from it.

Furthermore, Etherborn‘s relatively short playtime, clocking in at around two hours, diminishes its overall value. For the current price, players might find more substantial and engaging puzzle experiences elsewhere. The puzzles themselves, while clever, primarily revolve around moving objects from point A to point B. Utilizing such a unique and visually stunning world for such a limited range of puzzle mechanics feels like a missed opportunity. While the soundtrack contributes to the atmosphere, it isn’t memorable enough to elevate the experience significantly.

Etherborn

Conclusion: A Unique but Fleeting Experience

Etherborn offers a truly unique puzzle experience, centered around its innovative gravity mechanics and captivating abstract world. However, its short playtime, convoluted narrative, and limited puzzle variety hold it back from reaching its full potential. While worth exploring, especially for fans of abstract art and unconventional gameplay, waiting for a price drop might be advisable.

Etherborn

Game Information

• Developer: Altered Matter
• Publisher: Altered Matter
• Genre: Puzzle
• Release Date: June 18, 2019
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7
• CPU: Intel Core i3-6100
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
• DirectX: 11
• Storage: 2.5 GB

Tested System Configuration

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen R7 1700 @ 3.7 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: MSI Rx Vega 56 Airboost
• SSD: Samsung 950 Pro 256GB