Phonopolis

Ah, Amanita Design. A studio that has never let me down with any of its productions, from the most ambitious to the most modest. It's a European gem that I hope we preserve as it deserves, because few creative teams come anywhere close. I've been awaiting 'Phonopolis' with great interest, since it was shaping up to be Amanita's most complex and demanding creation, and I certainly wasn't wrong. This game is the studio's absolute peak, especially when it comes to its art direction. The visual quality here is staggering, and the work on all its setpieces and animations is the best they've done to date. Its blend of 3D with physical craftsmanship and traditional animation is truly unique and brimming with personality. Nothing looks like this game, and I think that's one of the highest compliments you can pay a digital work of this kind. It's well worth watching the full making-of documentary on YouTube, because the effort that went into this production deserves to be appreciated, along with the immense love and passion the team poured into it. And coming from the people who gave us Botanicula, Samorost 3 and Creaks, that's saying something. On the gameplay side of things, I think it…

I've just completed the game. Its very much like Mechanarium--Super cute and whimsical. This is a beautiful, hand crafted world made with love. Some complain its anti USSR propaganda. I would point out to my fellow gamers -- this was made by Czeck people. For those who don't know -- their country was made a puppet state of the USSR. As someone who had both lived in Russia (just after the fall of the USSR) and read Guglag archipelago -- i would say the metaphor of the game is quite apt. Under their tyranny, music was indeed repressed. You could only compose and listen to the official state approved media. All media was controlled by the state. Also, Buildings were intentionally made brutish and lacking in ornamentation -- plus they were flimsy -- of poor design and quality. The 'cardboard' world is a great way to symbolize this. Add to that, the crude lack of 'fashion' among people -- when the state controls all the production -- there is no variety of products for people adorn themselves. For me this game was like stepping into a metaphor of the past. It was delightful and ironically familiar. I invite the reader to play with an open mind -- check your assumptions at the door -…

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Fun game. I like all the Amanita games.

I'm bad at these kind of games, but the beautiful art and animations made this a worthwhile experience.

Really cool design, tricky puzzles and a thought-provoking story! Really enjoyable!