Review by: Danielle Riendeau

The point-and-click adventure game, much like the twin-stick shooter and 2D platformer, has had something of a revival in recent years, thanks to the explosion of downloadable, indie and handheld games. Developers are teaching old genres new tricks, basing gameplay off of the oldest rules in the book, adding devious new twists, modern amenities and creative art direction to the mix.

Machinarium is one of the best and brightest examples of this phenomenon – a jaw-droppingly gorgeous adventure title that harkens back to the LucasArts/Sierra days when point-and-click was king and crazy environmental puzzles ruled the day. Featuring one of the most evocative, unique settings and art styles the genre has ever seen, and an emphasis on brain-busting puzzle solving, it hangs with the very best of the genre and delivers a mighty satisfying experience.

You play as an adorable little robot dude who gets kicked out of his steampunk city and left with the junk. It’s up to you to take control of your little guy, collect items, solve the environments, and go save the day (and your robot girlfriend) from some bad-tempered bullies.

Gameplay is pure point-and-click, with no frills. You can click and drag on your robot’s body to make him taller or shorter, and you interact with sensitive spots in the environment. Items and tools can be picked up, combined, and used once (and only once), though it’s nearly impossible to actually mess up. You’re given one hint per level in the form of a quickie thought bubble designed to get you started towards the solution – though playing through an arduous little shooter minigame yields a more complete tutorial.

The gameplay reaches a ridiculous difficulty level, making the eventual solutions incredibly rewarding. There were sections I spent an hour in until I figured out the proper sequence of events, and others where I gave up twice, only returning later with the perfect solution. It’s the sort of game that absolutely gets “into your head” and simply refuses to let go. In other words, this game is pure, chocolate-coated crack for hardcore puzzle fans.