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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Opus Magnum (2017) is a puzzle game about assembling machines to convert spherical chemicals into different compounds. Each challenge can be tackled by creating different machine configurations, and each is awarded points on how compact, quick and efficient they are in terms of material used.

The puzzles follow an intriguing and dark plot that swirls around ancient city Houses. "Alchemists, who hold the power to create almost anything known to science, are highly sought— and highly dangerous."

The engines you create are represented on a grid of manipulation tools. These are mechanical arms that rotate around a pivot point, pick up and drop atoms, and move structures it currently has picked up. They combine with transmuters that create a bond, destroy a bond, transform a basic element into "salt", or upgrade base metals into higher ones using quicksilver.

This all sounds highly technical, complex and not much fun. But the genius of the game is how elegant it is to play, and how the interface lets you experiment, learn and iterate complex solutions without deep chemical knowledge.

The game enables you to create your own puzzles, provided you can prove that they can be solved.

This is one of a series of games by a developer called Zachtronics. He makes these games free for use in schools and education.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Opus Magnum 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 10 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Opus Magnum. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Brain Game and Puzzle game with Creative and Simulation elements. This is a single-player game. Once you have successfully completed a machine, you are ranked other online players based on the speed of the device, the cost of the device, and the total area that the device takes. You can then attempt alternate solutions that improve in any of these areas. In a family, it's great fun to see who can come up with the highest-scoring solution.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 15 minutes and 45 minutes to complete. Finding solutions to each level can come quickly, but equally can require some longer (and deeper) thinking.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 12 for language.
 
User-Generated Content: This game includes content created by other players, such as maps, outfits and items, that are not reflected in the game rating.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Parental Guidance (PG) for Mild Coarse Language.

CostsCosts

Opus Magnum usually costs £16.75.
 

Opus Magnum

Steam Store PC £16.75 Free

EA Play

Steam Store Mac £16.75
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 08/12/2017

Out Now: PC

Players: 1

Genres: Brain Game, Puzzle (Creative and Simulation)

Accessibility: 18 features

Components: 2D Side-On

Developer: Zachtronics (@Zachtronics)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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