Relicta is a first-person puzzle game whose main mechanics combine magnetism and gravity. The player is equipped with a pair of special gloves that allow them to change the magnetic and gravitational properties of experimental cubes scattered around each level. These cubes can be moved by the player, either carrying them bodily or using magnetism or gravity.
They can also be placed on teleporting machines to warp them to another teleporter and help solve puzzles. Mechanics really come alive when combined in ingenious ways. For instance, magnetism can be used to repel or attract cubes, but repelling a cube that has previously âanti-gravitatedâ gives you a frictionless device that will retain inertia until it collides against something solid, like a wall (or your skull).
It can even be used as a means of transport for the player to reach new places. Cubes can also be used to power up some devices, in order to operate doors and force fields. As the player progresses towards more complex puzzles, they will encounter other devices - magnetic plates, elevators, buttons or even drones capable of nullifying magnetic and gravitational fields as well as stealing cubes.
From simple magnetism and gravity mechanics springs the fiendishly challenging Relicta, a highly polished environmental puzzler through a lunar space station with your every move being watched.
If you like a bit of brain strain and some lovely visuals with a decent science fiction story to top it all off then you will most likely love Relicta.
If you love Portal, The Witness, or The Talos Principle, youâre gonna enjoy Relicta. Its puzzles might get a little tedious in the long run (they are all based on magnetic gloves), but I really enjoyed them throughout most of the campaign. Whatâs important (to me at least), the story is not just a quick, half-baked addition to the puzzles, but a valuable element of the game. [10/2020, p.90]
Summing up, Relicta is certainly an interesting puzzle game, capable of offering excellent puzzles based on two elements of physics: gravity and magnetism. Some levels denote a truly remarkable complexity and degree of difficulty, requiring the player, in addition to the knowledge of the basic mechanics, also a not insignificant intelligence.
Though there may be better and more narratively-intriguing entries out there already, for genre enthusiasts focused squarely on the puzzles themselves, Relictaâs subtle self-awareness in its own pitch â as much the assortment of challenges on display â are enough to help it win out in the end.
Relicta is a First Person Puzzle game that every fan of the genre should try. Although the lack of innovation, it has challenging levels and a compelling use of magnetism mechanics.
Relicta is a puzzle game that tries to be like The Talos Principle and Portal, but falls flat. The gameplay mechanics, as well as the physics, are a solid and fun experience. However, it falls short due to a weak story, terribly written dialogue, repetitive puzzle design, and various technical issues. If youâre looking for a puzzler that you can easily find exploits in for a speedrun, check this out. But, if youâre looking for a puzzler with replayability, where you have to utilize creative thinking, and the puzzles are all uniquely designed, then look far, far elsewhere.
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