Underplayed Gems

Photonic Distress (2018)

Photonic Distress cover
Developer
GRIP420
Platforms
Windows
Genres
Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie
Rating
4.7 of 5, 58 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 3.1 hours
Where to get it
Steam
The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A surreal, meditative exploration of a dreamlike inner world where puzzles and combat shift from illuminated and easygoing to dark and tense as difficulty increases.

first-personthird-personpuzzlerplatformeratmosphericprocedurally generatedrelaxingtense on higher difficulties

What players say

Players love the atmosphere and music, but many find the platforming janky and the controls unresponsive. The game relies on darkness as a mechanic, which some find oppressive while others enjoy the challenge, and opinions split on whether it is relaxing or frustrating.

Screenshots

Photonic Distress screenshot 1Photonic Distress screenshot 2Photonic Distress screenshot 3Photonic Distress screenshot 4Photonic Distress screenshot 5Photonic Distress screenshot 6

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.