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Osmos

EMAIL PRINT pc

8.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 48 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Hemisphere Games

Developer: Hemisphere Games

Genre(s): Puzzle

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: August 18, 2009

Summary

Enter the ambient world of Osmos: elegant, physics-based gameplay, dreamlike visuals, and a minimalist, electronic soundtrack. Your objective is to grow by absorbing other motes. Propel yourself by ejecting matter behind you. But be wise: ejecting matter also shrinks you. Relax - good things come to those who wait. [Steam]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

GamingXP

Everybody who has the dream, and I am not sure if there is someone out there, to be a small particle, should live his dream within this game!

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

It’s moving in every sense of the word.

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BigPond GameArena

Frustration and lack of tension aside, Osmos is an excellent game. I would only hesitate to recommend this to the most diehard ambient music hater, and I imagine such a person would be too angry for video games anyway.

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AceGamez

Despite its problems, then, Osmos is an ambient Katamari Damacy for the flOw generation, addictive and emotional and singularly satisfying.

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Armchair Empire

And it’s with good reason: Osmos is a great game (and is a great bargain, at only $10US) that will challenge the puzzle-solving skills of even the best gamers, as ambient gaming enters a new cosmos with Osmos.

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ZTGameDomain

Osmos is very capable of putting you in a trance like state with its hypnotic music, visuals, and it's addictive gameplay. The best compliment I can give this game is that I play it 6 or 7 times a day because it works so well as either something bite size to play right before I go to sleep, or something I can easily just drop an afternoon in, without the pressure or frustration that accompanies the other titles that I routinely play.

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Destructoid

The controls may irritate you and the game's attempt at a Zen aesthetic may come off as a little dull, but it nonetheless remains a constantly surprising, wonderfully unclassifiable, and, ultimately, damned satisfying piece of gaming.

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IGN

The small team at Hemisphere has crafted an alluring, captivating experience that is a nice change of pace from the frantic action videogames often provide.

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GamingTrend

In the end, however, $10 is a bargain for such a creative and addictive puzzle title.

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MEGamers

Osmos is a spectacular example of how a game based on a simple idea can out-trump the best of them.

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GameFocus

Osmos is a very good game in its class. The music, the idea and gameplay and pleasing graphics all make this a complete package for any fan of ambient/casual games. Considering the price point is reasonable, and there is a decent amount of replay value, Osmos is a good option to buy and enjoy.

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PC Zone UK

A relaxing, addictive and intuitive action-puzzler. [Christmas 2009, p.86]

Total PC Gaming

Moving water across a semi-permeable membrane wasn't this fun in biology. [Issue#26, p.56]

PC Gamer

Another charming indie. [Dec 2009, p.83]

DarkZero

For £6.99 you’re getting a worthwhile package and there’s a demo for you to see if it’s the right game for you. For most it will be an engaging and addicting, if somewhat rage-inducing later on.

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GameCritics

It's tempting to write off Osmos as a "been there, done that" experience. While all of the mechanics in play here certainly aren't new, the team at Hemisphere Games does a wonderful job of wrapping them up in a cool, calm, and collected package that makes it feel new and refreshing.

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Gamer Limit

At least $10 worth of entertainment, especially if you're an electronica aficionado or an ambient game/puzzle junkie. The mid-game shift from "mellow" to "frantic" will lead many gamers to never complete it, however, and it will leave a bad taste in your mouth after the blissful sweetness of the early levels.

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games(TM)

Osmos fits snugly into the Zen genre: the music is ambient, the visuals minimalist, and the risk/reward mechanic demands a measured approach. [Nov 2009, p.131]

Boomtown

If your nerves are shot to pieces with the glut of zombie gore 'em ups out there Osmos will do a sterling job of rubbing those aching temples and making the nightmares go away.

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GameSpot

This crafty and calming puzzle game won't addict you, but it will lull you into the occasional trance.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 48 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Todd M gave it a9:
The only thing that keeps this from being one of the most addictive and engaging games I've ever played is the fact that you cannot save the game mid level. While no level takes more than 15 minutes, dying more than once towards the end can easily turn a single level into an hour. Other than that, this is an amazing game, and you should buy it. It's like the bacterial stage of Spore finally done right.

Jason V gave it a5:
I'd say it's worth $2 if it's ever on steam for that cheap again, but I'd feel pretty ripped off if I got it for 10... It's not like it's a bad game, it's just not very expansive. And you can forget about sipping your coffee while you relax in front of a soothing game where you are absorbing other essences because if you just sit around and let your being float across the screen, you will get swallowed up in 20 seconds... Nope, you have to be active if you want to win on most levels. I give this game a 5 because it is a $10 game. If it was permanently $2 this would be changed to a 7.5 to 8

Dima N gave it an8:
This game has a charming atmosphere,and uncommon style.Gameplay isn't genius,but it works so it's enjoyable to play this game!

V L gave it a3:
I give it a 3 because of it's nice soundtrack and graphics. Obviously a lot of work has been put into them. The sad part is that the game is virtually unplayable. It's incredibly hard and annoying. I don't know about you, but I don't like being frustrated. Skip this game.

oliver n gave it a9:
Relaxing and relieves tension, just what i need!

Zelakon gave it a9:
Ignore Coeco's limited and impatient account of this game; it's the equivalent of saying your only goal in an FPS is to shoot things. Osmos, from start to finish, is excellent.

Jack K gave it a9:
For me, this is the most addictive game since i bought BF2 back in 2005. I spent from 8pm-3am playing this, it has an excellent soundtrack, good ideas and the small game size is also good so you dont have to download for 8 hours. Something that is somewhat tricky to review is difficulty; the game got very difficult on some levels, which is good as it makes an EXCELLENT gaming experience, but also bad because sometimes I want to throw my PC out the window. THe only real complaint I have is that there was a somewhat limited level choice. For how good this game is, I would've liked a greater level choice and/or custom levels to help imrpove the replayability of this. TL;DR VERSION: Addictive, loads of fun, hours of infuriation and some decent replayability, not enough levels, I would definately reccommend it to anyone. 9/10

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