Platforms
- PCJul 24, 20187.9playscore7.710 Critics8.5164 Players
- Nintendo SwitchJul 24, 2018NAplayscore7.422 CriticsNA0 Players
25 critic reviews · 0 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
Semblance is a unique take on the puzzle-platformer. Its wobbly environment reminded me a little of Ian Snyder’s colorful The Floor Is Jelly, but instead of ricocheting around a bowl of Jell-O, you have to be precise. If you create a hill and launch yourself off of it a little too much to the left, then you’ll die. When you nail the landing, it feels like a victory.
Stephanie Chan · Jul 27, 2018 Reviewed on PC, SwitchRead full reviewRegardless of these issues, Semblance is a breath of fresh air to the platforming genre and one that is entirely welcome. Puzzle lovers will enjoy the idea of working around a problem, casual players can find enjoyment in every aspect and speedrunners are going to have a blast working out movement tech to beat the game swiftly. No matter what category you fit into, Semblance is a must own game on the Switch, for no other reason than it breaks the mould.
Dan Lipscombe · Jul 25, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full reviewSemblance goes beyond the puzzle genre and adds their own special take on platform games. The game's art and music direction create a peaceful world that is both full of beauty and rage-inducing wonder. The team at Nyamakop should be proud of their first project which is the first video game developed in Africa to be released on a Nintendo console.
Asif Khan · Jul 25, 2018 Reviewed on PC, SwitchRead full reviewIn a year with more than a few solid platformers, Semblance still manages to stand out. I love the design, the puzzles are challenging but not mind-breaking, and the controls are tight and easy to pick up. I only wish there was a bit more content here, but I may double dip on the Switch version once I'm far enough removed to forget some of these puzzles.
Rich Meister · Jul 24, 2018 Reviewed on PCRead full reviewSemblance is a unique platformer whose minimalistic environment is the perfect background to the satisfyingly challenging puzzles that must be solved in order to save the adorable Squish’s world. It’s relaxing, aesthetically pleasing, and gradually increases its difficulty in a way that is fresh each time and does not get repetitive.
Ashley Donnelly · Jul 24, 2018 Reviewed on PCRead full reviewSemblance is a fresh and interesting take on puzzle platformers. Players who like testing their mental fortitude will want to jump right in. Those who struggle and are easily frustrated might have more reason to be cautious though. A minimalistic style does benefit the game in most ways, but can cause puzzles to be needlessly difficult at random times.
Kyle Hanson · Jul 24, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full reviewOverall, Semblance is a decent puzzle platformer with a unique take on the platforming portion of the genre. While the game’s linearity provides a better flow to the game, individual level checkpoints would have been appreciated. Aside from a bit of repetition and the issue I personally encountered, Semblance was a pleasant experience. With its relatively shorter playtime and a requirement for precision in certain aspects, Semblance may very well be a game suited for speed running.
Michael Chow · Jul 24, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full reviewSemblance offers an intriguingly fresh take on the age-old 2D platformer. Its story may be all visual and very much open to interpretation, but what it lacks in narrative density it more than makes up for with a generous helping of levels to explore where the platforming itself is a vital part of the puzzle to be solved. While it's lacking in long-term replay value, it’s a definitely worth your time if you’re looking for a new 2D challenge.
Dom Reseigh-Lincoln · Jul 24, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full reviewPuzzle games can run into the issue of reusing an idea one too many times, ultimately losing its luster, but with Semblance that was never the case. Seemingly around every corner was another new and interesting idea, keeping this wonderfully paced journey fresh beginning to end. Whether it was deforming surfaces or squishing the character to yield completely new physics, I was never disappointed.
Casey Gibson · Jul 24, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full reviewBecause it's so short, and the puzzles never get particularly fiendish, Semblance is an enjoyable but light experience. This isn't necessarily a bad thing--it's a relaxed game, a good one to clear over a few sessions in bed or on the train if you're playing on Switch--but it also means that it doesn't feel like the game realizes its full conceptual potential.
James O'Connor · Jul 24, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review
Community Reviews
Be the first to review this game! Help others discover if this is the right game for them.
About the game
Semblance is an innovative platformer with deformable terrain, set in a beautiful minimalist world. It’s a game that asks, what if you could deform and reshape the world itself? Semblance takes the idea of a ‘platform’ in a platformer and turns it on its head.