Opus Magnum Review
Like
Posted: 6 months ago, last updated 3 months ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer.
Overview
Opus Magnum 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 solves.
This is one of a series of games by a developer called Zachtronics. He makes these games free for use in schools and education.
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 solves.
This is one of a series of games by a developer called Zachtronics. He makes these games free for use in schools and education.
Game Details
Tips
View our choice of games like Opus Magnum. This game is good if you want to:
Commitment
Duration: 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.
Players: 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.
Players: 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.
Costs
Does not offer in-game purchases, 'loot boxes' or 'battle/season passes'.
Age Ratings
Accessibility
Accessibility for this game is as follows:
System Settings
Windows has extensive accessibility features. Some, like colour correction, work with games. Lots of accessibility software can be used with PC games, from voice recognition to input device emulators... read more about system accessibility settings.

Games Like Opus Magnum
Our experts have hand-picked the following similar games for you. These offer a similar way to play to Opus Magnum or are games with a similar theme or topic. These are good alternative games to Opus Magnum, or are a younger rated alternative for players not ready for PEGI 12+ or ESRB TEEN games.



The information on this database is designed to support and complement the in-depth discussion and advice about video game "addiction", violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. If you have any concerns or questions in these areas, email our editor who is quick to respond or can arrange for a one-to-one conversation.