For those not in the know, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqJ-Xo29CKyLTjn6z2XwYAw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>Game Maker’s Toolkit is an interesting YouTube channel that focuses on game theory. Mark Brown has covered topics like level design, indie game jams, deep dives on series like The Legend of Zelda and Hollow Knight, and many more topics related to game design. Like many YouTubers who specialise in things like video games, movies or music, Mark appears to have aspirations beyond simply talking about video games. If Mind Over Magnet is anything to go off of, he’s definitely found the right career path.
In Mind Over Magnet, you play as Uni, a robot trying to escape a factory. Along the way, they’ll meet multiple magnets, each with different abilities to help them on their journey. The story really is that simple, and while it does have hints of something a little deeper, don’t expect The Silmarillion. This isn’t a game about its story, even if it’s a pretty cute tale it weaves.
The basic gameplay is simple. Using magnetism, reach the end of each stage. At first you’ll be without much in the way of tools, but as time goes on, you’ll meet Magnus, a magnet with the ability to be magnetically attracted to certain surfaces. There are other magnets that explore things like changing polarities, but everything remains remarkably simple.
Puzzles feel really good to solve. The hint system isn’t very robust, but it largely gets the job done. If you can’t figure it out from the hint, though, it does feel like maybe a second hint would be nice. Still, none of the puzzles are so brain bending or esoteric that you’ll be pulling your hair out, and while solving them won’t have you flipping the living room table out of excitement, the feeling of a solid pat on the back from the developer is conveyed nicely.
Another overwhelmingly wholesome thing about Mind Over Magnet is the art, which is incredibly charming. Levels feel lived in, at least relatively speaking. Characters are emotive enough to get the job done and still feel completely in place in the world. The background animations are another welcome touch, leading to the factory feeling alive.
If there had to be a nitpick, the one area where the game kind of lacks is that sometimes you’ll find yourself trapped by a puzzle. It would be nice if instead of having to restart the entire puzzle when you’re stuck, players could run time backwards and get back into the swing of things. Levels are largely bite sized as it is, so it’s not the end of the world, but it does feel particularly odd when you find a spot that feels like an oversight.
The only other thing that stands out is the length. The game is over pretty quickly, so it would have been great to see a little bit more of it. Still, when the core content is this good, it’s hardly the worst thing in the world to wish for more.
Cubed3 Rating
Mind Over Magnet is a wholesome and somewhat cosy puzzle game. While you can find fault in anything, it feels almost bad to try to pick it apart. It’s just such a lovely experience that you want nothing more than to see it shine.
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Mind Over Magnet
Developer: Game Maker’s Toolkit
Publisher: Game Maker’s Toolkit
Formats: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
