Underplayed Gems

Block Machine (2023)

Block Machine cover
Developer
Sebastian Schöner
Platforms
Windows
Genres
Indie, Simulation
Rating
4.3 of 5, 7 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 2.6 hours
Where to get it
Steam

More by Sebastian Schöner

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 deliberately obtuse programming puzzle that feels like tinkering with esoteric digital logic, rewarding careful thought over reflexes.

puzzlingabstractminimalistchallenginganalyticalmethodicalcerebral

What players say

Players praise the clever mechanic of blocks serving as both code and data, and find the puzzles challenging but satisfying. Some note a progression from easy early levels to later stumping ones, while one unrecommended review reports a tutorial bug blocking progress on level 8.

Screenshots

Block Machine screenshot 1Block Machine screenshot 2Block Machine screenshot 3Block Machine screenshot 4Block Machine screenshot 5

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More by Sebastian Schöner

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.