Submachine is a hand-drawn puzzle adventure game. You find yourself in a vast network of desolate locations containing puzzles, secrets, notes and items to collect to help you along the way. Follow the story of a banished lighthouse keeper to discover his descent into ruins.
The game features a wide variety of meticulously crafted puzzles that seamlessly integrate into the game world. Some puzzles involve straightforward tasks like fixing broken machinery or finding missing components, while others require more lateral thinking and careful observation of the environment. Reviewers praise how the puzzles follow the established logic of the Submachine universe, feeling like natural parts of the world rather than arbitrary challenges. Many note the puzzles' balanced difficulty, providing a satisfying sense of progression as players apply new abilities and knowledge to solve them.
The game's "Metroidvania" style of exploration encourages players to revisit previous locations with new tools and skills, unlocking new paths and secrets. Reviewers highlight how this design choice fosters thorough, thoughtful examination of the environments, as items and mechanics found early on may have unexpected uses later in the game. The interconnected nature of the chapters, with new content linking the original Submachine games together, also contributes to a sense of holistic progression through the overall narrative and world. Players express satisfaction in piecing together the overarching story by collecting notes and exploring the depth of the Submachine universe.
Reviewers appreciate the various quality of life changes and enhancements, including smoother transitions and animations between rooms, indicators to highlight interactive elements, the ability to quickly access the inventory, and options to revert to original sound effects. These improvements help streamline the gameplay, making navigation and puzzle-solving more intuitive and less frustrating for both new and returning players.
A recurring point of praise is the game's captivating atmosphere and sense of immersion. The hand-drawn, minimalist art style, complemented by an evocative ambient soundtrack, creates a palpable sense of isolation and mystery that pulls players deeply into the Submachine world. Reviewers frequently comment on how the visual and audio design, combined with the atmospheric environments and narrative elements, foster a profound feeling of exploration and discovery, making the player feel like a true "Subnet explorer."