Opus Magnum
Platforms: PC
Genres: Puzzle and Simulation
Released: December 2017. Added to this library 12 days ago.
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 game is good if you want to take on a mountainous challenge, learn something playing a properly great game or make video games.
Commitment
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
Ratings
Accessibility
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.
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Opus Magnum is in These Lists
In addition to the similar games listed above, which have been linked to this game specifically in the database, you may find games with a similar theme to Opus Magnum in the following lists:
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This might be grappling with the flying mechanics in Rocket League, getting endlessly lost trying to find the next guardian in Shadow of the Collosus or coming up with the right tactic to get enough money for the ship you need in Elite. Of course, some of these games can be made easier, but to play them at their best is to ramp up the difficulty to max (crushing on The Last Of Us for example) and let them give you all they've got.
Educational Games That Are Also Good Games
Some of these games are aimed at younger players to play on their own, but others (as indicated by their PEGI ratings) are better for teenagers or played together in a family. Find some games that pique your interest, read through the details and decide how your child might benefit from playing them.
Thanks for using our resource. We are editorially independant, written by parents for parents, but welcome sponsorship, partnership and suggestions. It is supported by the Get Smart About PLAY campaign from AskAboutGames.com. For more advice and guidance on video games, also check out my Taming Gaming book.Tweet
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