_PRISM 4+

Prism overcomes language barriers, great for all ages, no time limits, no steep learning curve and not difficult. Im playing on IPad mini 4 but im not getting 60FPS, maybe 20. And the game is 4 levels in four hub levels. Short. Worth 6$ yes, but be real with expectations.

Thank you.

Prism is like an abstract geometrical version of The Room, in which 3d shapes unfold magically in response to the player solving mini puzzles. Some might find the puzzles too simple, but I found the game remarkably pleasing. The ambient music, space-opera art style, and mildly challenging puzzles combine to make an engaging yet relaxing experience. Played right before bedtime, it might give you nice dreams.

Like The Room series, this game makes excellent use of the touch screen. Manipulation of the objects floating in space feels natural and intuitive. I disagree with a reviewer who found the controls enraging; I found them immediately sensible and even immersive at times, as if I were really touching and spinning a 3d object. Control surfaces, sliders and switches are distinctively marked so one never has to hunt for them too long and I don’t recollect any of those maddening moments when I have no idea what the game designer wants me to do!

I only with-held one star, for the following reasons: 1) on my iPad pro I see occasional ghost artifacts, like vertex markers, which don’t seem to be part of the puzzle and are a little distracting. 2) some of the puzzles require 3 or even 4 fingers at once to solve, which feels rather awkward and caused me brief moments of frustration — I would prefer the puzzle to be intellectual rather than finger-tangling. 3) the puzzles don’t smoothly escalate in difficulty as one progresses; some are harder than others but it feels almost random. 4) it would be nice if it were longer; seemed a little short, but on the other hand I think this one is eminently re-playable for the pleasure of unfolding the shapes.

The “unfolding” or “onion-peeling” style of progress is a very interesting alternative to the “ladder,” “map,” “wave” and other traditional models of progress in gameplay. I hope to see more games out there which draw the player deeper into an unfolding structure. While The Room takes the cake for neo-Victorian atmosphere and rococo surfaces, Prism offers many of the same thrills in a lightweight, hypnotic, peaceful package with no burden of narrative or need to be suspenseful or scary. Highly recommended!