A story-based puzzle game which excels mainly in the latter. Puzzles quickly become challenging and that makes for a fun experience due in large part to great audiovisuals. The image sometimes stutters while turning the puzzle but apart from this minor issue this game is plenty of fun.
The Spectrum Retreat isn’t the most original game when it comes to puzzles, but its setting, narrative and story make up for it. If you want to use your brain while you discover a very interesting story, go for it.
The Spectrum Retreat is definitely a promising debut for the Bafta award winner Dan Smith. The first person puzzle-adventure is not at all flawless but it deserves the attention of every fan of the genre.
The Spectrum Retreat is a solid puzzler, with an immersive narrative undercurrent adding depth and emotion to a genre where such things are normally lacking. Look past certain repetitive sections and you'll find a title offering value for money and an enjoyable challenge.
The Spectrum Retreat is full of good ideas and mysteries, but Dan Smith's first game is way too linear while playing the walking simulator card to please every amateur of the genre. Too many clues are given about the delicate subject being treated, but the core mechanics of dozen of color-based puzzles might be good enough for you to give it a go. With just a bit more coherence between the gameplay and the narrative, it could have been memorable.
If you’re a huge puzzle fan, like me, there’s something here for you. But in all honesty, there are plenty of puzzle games out there that wouldn’t come with this big of an asterisk. Go play those.