Homo Machina

ARTE Experience

About this game

Homo Machina is a puzzle game inspired by the work of avant-garde scientist Fritz Kahn. Set off on a crazy journey to solve the surreal puzzles of Homo Machina and learn about the internal working of the human body, represented as a gigantic 1920s factory.

In this narrative puzzle, players are plunged into an ingenious system of nerves, vessels and valves. The aim is to help the body function correctly in about thirty steps or so throughout the entire day. Each scene breaks down daily acts, such as opening your eyes, chewing a toast or listening to music, through seamless navigation and intuitive gameplay.

Fritz Kahn, a pioneer of infographics and popular science, came up with easy to understand analogies to enable people to improve their understanding of the human body. By combining old school design with a contemporary influence, Homo Machina delights with its clever dialogue between the absent-minded director a the helm of the body-machine and Josiane, his diligent secretary, encouraging players to put task the armada of workers to get the incredible factory up and running.

After Californium, Homo Machina is the new video game created by Darjeeling production. It was published and co-produced by ARTE, European culture digital and TV Channel, and Feierabend.

Ratings and reviews

It's...fine. I really appreciate all the fine detail and obvious care that went into this game. It looks really good, it's a fun concept, and I applaud the lack of hand-holding the user on the puzzles. That said, my first impulse after finishing is... disappointment. The game captures the imagination really well, creates a fun alternative world, and then just...ends. It all feels like a story without a third act, or with one just with a very weak climax. It all deserves more payoff.

The game has a great art style but it's horrible in conveying what needs to be done to complete the puzzle. The same could be said for controlling the damn puzzle. I know I have fat fingers, but I've missed a lot of timed button presses in this game then any other games I've bought.

Pros: original concept, puzzles that aren't impossible (love puzzles), no bugs (well programmed.) Cons: linear, not enough directions on some scenes so player fumbles. Very, very short; finished in less than an hour of gameplay. Puzzles could be a bit more difficult (no directions is not the same thing.)

What's new

Fixing somes issues