Path to Mnemosyne Reviews

Someone suggested this game on the back of probably another puzzle game I played (I can't remember which one). The game got stuck in my head due to its name (Mnemosyne is a Greek word, meaning "memory" or rather more accurately, "remembrance") and due to its visual style, after seeing a screenshot or two. There is somewhat of a basic story premise: you play the role of this girl who's being hypnotised or psychoanalysed or something similar. Voices are guiding you, but soon you discover not all of them want what's best for you. You try to navigate the corridor of your psyche, senses and memories to find out whether you'll forever live in oblivion (Lethe) or rise up in remembrance (Mnemosyne). Visually the game is very interesting. It's very surreal in its design, and the black 'n white, pencil-drawn backgrounds and elements make it very eerie and unnerving. The never-ending walkway along with the ambience and sound design add to that feeling of unease as well. I'd say overall the look reminds me something out of a David Lynch film (RIP). There's not a lot to say in terms of gameplay. All you do is move back and forth, left and right, and jump. That's it. Occasionally you'll be called to do some pointing 'n clicking, solve some timing puzzles, and that's about it. The puzzles range from simple to confusing. You mostly have to follow or set patterns the right way, but every now and then you'll get hit with something that makes little sense. Or even, as I discovered on one of the puzzles, no sense. The game won't challenge your problem-solving skills, more like your patience-showing skills. You shouldn't have too much of an issue to get through everything else relatively easily. This is a short game. It can take between 2-3 hours to beat, depending on how stuck you get on 1 or 2 of the overall very doable puzzles. Overall I'd say this game alright, it's more visually-interesting than gameplay-challenging. It could pass as an Annapurna game, but without the heart and soul of their usual projects. It's a recommendation from me only on sale. A very generous sale.