MONUMENTUM

i bought this personally as a game dev in part to examine how an indie momentum platformer can effectively use a controller-only scheme... and also because it looks freakin' cool. aesthetically, it is very impressive. the barren, abandoned feel of the game world contrasted with the glowing neon effects instantly hooked me in, and the game does a good job of being visually interesting without making it unclear what you're supposed to interact with. the sound design is also really excellent: the hums and whirs of each element combined with the noises your character makes rolling on the ground sells the movement well.

Subtle lighting and atmospheric effects add mood without distracting from gameplay.

Subtle lighting and atmospheric effects add mood without distracting from gameplay.

but also required me to connect a controller (worked well with my old ps4 controller, but i basically never use one when playing pc). but IMO would be perfectly playable with a keyboard, too. it also delivers nothing to me as a reward or motivation to continue playing. no story, no characters, no visual suprises. there arent even more visual (gameplay or non functional) objects to discover. there could have been a nice fountain, natural rocks and gras oasis or some automated cute abstract robot animals. or anything really. but there isnt, just the great gameplay elements ...