State of Mind

The narrative of State of Mind is widely praised for its thematic depth and intellectual ambition, with many critics highlighting its exploration of transhumanism, AI, and societal decay. Cubed3 and Jeuxvideo.com commend the game’s dystopian setting in futuristic Berlin, noting its engaging sci-fi plot and philosophical questions about consciousness and identity. LaPS4 emphasizes the story as the game’s strongest aspect, lauding its mature, layered approach to moral dilemmas and personal loss. Similarly, 3DJuegos and The Digital Fix appreciate the narrative’s focus on humanization and emotional puzzles, while GameSpew and Hardcore Gamer praise its ethical complexity and commentary on technology’s societal role. Comparisons to Black Mirror and Blade Runner underscore its thematic richness, with critics like Vandal and Jeuxvideo.com noting its mature credibility and thought-provoking contrasts between virtual and real worlds. However, several reviewers criticize the game for its execution flaws, including predictability, underdeveloped characters, and pacing issues. Gaming Age calls the story “shallow” and “derivative,” relying on overused tropes like AI and corporate control, while Push Square and We Got This Covered point to plot holes, forced nonlinear elements, and a frustratingly insufferable protagonist. TheXboxHub and PlayGround.ru highlight uneven pacing, with some critics noting a slow start and rushed ending, akin to Mass Effect 3. Additionally, Gameplanet and Generación Xbox criticize the narrative’s failure to delve deeply into its themes, instead settling for familiar sci-fi clichés. While ZTGD acknowledges character development as a strength, others like Adventure Gamers and Areajugones argue that emotional engagement with characters remains lacking, undermining the story’s potential. Overall, critics agree that State of Mind is a narrative-driven game with ambitious thematic goals but uneven execution. The positives—its exploration of transhumanism, ethical dilemmas, and dystopian world-building—are frequently highlighted by outlets like LaPS4, Jeuxvideo.com, and GameSpew, who praise its intellectual depth and atmospheric storytelling. However, the negatives—predictability, pacing issues, and underdeveloped characters—resonate strongly among reviewers such as Gaming Age, Push Square, and We Got This Covered, who feel the game’s potential is often unfulfilled. While some see it as a compelling, thought-provoking experience (e.g., Vandal, TheXboxHub), others view it as a derivative effort with missed opportunities. The consensus leans toward a mixed reception: a narrative that excels in ambition and thematic richness but struggles to deliver a cohesive, engaging experience across its execution.

The gameplay of State of Mind is praised for its narrative-driven focus and unique mechanics that prioritize storytelling over traditional interactivity. Critics like PlayStation LifeStyle highlight the game’s innovative use of a holo-pin board to switch between protagonists, which adds a layer of depth to the experience. LaPS4 and New Game Network note that the minimalistic approach—relying on exploration, dialogue choices, and light puzzles—effectively serves the game’s thematic goals, even if it lacks complexity. Additionally, Jeuxvideo.com and 3DJuegos acknowledge that the game’s simplicity works in its favor for a story-first design, with some reviewers appreciating the passive, immersive storytelling style. The inclusion of tech-oriented minigames, such as redirecting security cameras or reconstructing memories, is also seen as a creative touch by GameSpew and PC Games, offering brief moments of variety within the otherwise subdued gameplay loop. However, the majority of critics criticize State of Mind for its repetitive mechanics, clunky controls, and lack of meaningful interactivity. Gaming Age and Hardcore Gamer describe the gameplay as tedious and overly long, with rigid controls and limited choice mechanics that hinder player engagement. Adventure Gamers and Areajugones point to awkward navigation, unresponsive movement, and simplistic puzzles that fail to challenge players, while Vandal and ZTGD note the game’s reliance on narrative at the expense of traditional gameplay elements. Repetition is a recurring issue: GameSpew and New Game Network mention revisiting locations and repetitive fetch quests, while Riot Pixels calls the mechanics “monotonous.” The lack of features like objective markers or hint systems further frustrates players, as highlighted by Hardcore Gamer and Jeuxvideo.com, which contribute to a sense of stagnation despite the game’s narrative ambitions. Overall, critics agree that State of Mind is a story-focused experience with a minimalist design, but its gameplay mechanics fall short of delivering a compelling or engaging interactive experience. While some praise its thematic coherence and unique features—such as PlayStation LifeStyle’s holo-pin board or LaPS4’s emphasis on narrative-driven simplicity—the overwhelming sentiment is that the game’s reliance on point-and-click exploration, repetitive tasks, and underdeveloped mechanics makes it feel passive and unbalanced. Push Square and TheXboxHub note that while the linear structure and multiple protagonists add depth, issues like awkward controls, lack of challenge, and minimal player agency undermine the experience. The consensus is that State of Mind prioritizes storytelling over gameplay innovation, resulting in a product that appeals more to fans of narrative-driven adventures than those seeking interactive or mechanically rich experiences.

The graphics and visual design of State of Mind have been widely praised for their unique artistic direction and thematic cohesion. Many critics highlight the game’s retro-futuristic aesthetic, with its low-poly character models and angular environments evoking a nostalgic yet distinct style. Cubed3 commends the "blocky style" and "immersive environmental details," while GameSpew notes the striking contrast between the "grimy neon-lit Berlin" and the "heavenly, polished environment of Adam Newman’s virtual paradise." Push Square emphasizes how the "low-polygon aesthetic inspired by retro titles like Another World" enhances the game’s atmospheric tone, and New Game Network draws comparisons to BioShock Infinite, praising its transhumanist themes. The use of stark visual contrasts—such as the dystopian Berlin versus the utopian City5—is frequently lauded for reinforcing the narrative’s exploration of societal fragmentation and technological duality. Critics like Jeuxvideo.com and ZTGD also appreciate the "retro 32-bit polygonal aesthetic" and its ability to create a cohesive, stylized world that feels both modern and reminiscent of older games. However, several critics point out technical and design limitations that detract from the visual experience. Hardcore Gamer mentions physics inconsistencies, such as "glass not breaking underfoot," while Adventure Gamers find the "low-poly 'shards' character design" divisive and off-putting, noting it "detracts from immersion." Areajugones criticizes stiff animations and empty cities, and Generación Xbox highlights frame drops and an unstable camera that negatively impact the visual experience. The Digital Fix points to the "uncanny valley effect" caused by low-poly models, which limits character expressiveness, while Vandal notes that the "budget constraints" are evident in limited polygon counts and environmental detail. Additionally, some reviewers, like PlayGround.ru, argue that the style feels derivative or lacks standout qualities despite its originality. These critiques often center on how the art direction, while thematically effective, occasionally sacrifices technical polish or emotional depth for stylistic choices. Overall, the consensus among critics is that State of Mind’s visual design is a bold and distinctive choice that aligns strongly with its narrative themes, even if it comes with trade-offs. While many praise its retro-futuristic aesthetic as "visually stunning" (Gameplanet) and "a strength of the game" (ZTGD), others acknowledge its technical shortcomings and divisive character designs. The low-poly style is frequently cited as a defining feature that sets the game apart, with critics like PlayStation LifeStyle and Push Square emphasizing how it enhances the game’s atmospheric storytelling. However, the mixed reception underscores a balance between artistic vision and practical execution—where the visual identity is celebrated for its creativity but occasionally criticized for its limitations in polish or expressiveness. Despite these critiques, the majority of reviewers agree that the art direction is a significant asset to the game’s overall experience.

The sound design and music of State of Mind received widespread praise for their ability to enhance the game’s atmosphere and narrative depth. Critics like PlayStation LifeStyle highlighted the sci-fi-inspired synth-heavy soundtrack, comparing it to Deus Ex and Blade Runner 2049, which effectively creates an eerie yet immersive dystopian tone. Hardcore Gamer noted that the music balances presence and subtlety, avoiding overpowering the story while amplifying key emotional beats. Similarly, Jeuxvideo.com (PS4) and LaPS4 emphasized how the soundtrack complements narrative moments, with Areajugones appreciating its emotional resonance and genre variety. The cyberpunk ambiance was further enriched by ambient sounds, as noted by Gamer.no, which described the oppressive, depressive tone as integral to the game’s bleak 2048 setting. DarkStation praised specific scenes for their cinematic tension, blending piano and electronic elements to heighten dramatic moments. These reviews collectively underscore the music’s role in reinforcing the game’s thematic and environmental immersion. However, several critics pointed out notable shortcomings. PlayGround.ru criticized the soundtrack as “boring and sleep-inducing,” arguing it failed to match the intensity of comparable works like Blade Runner 2049. The Digital Fix highlighted inconsistencies in sound design, citing overpowering ambient noise and stilted dialogue that disrupted immersion. Xbox Tavern specifically called out audio dropouts during conversations, forcing reliance on subtitles and undermining the experience. Additionally, Adventure Gamers noted the music as “unmemorable but functional,” while Areajugones mentioned limitations in voice acting due to Spanish subtitles. These critiques suggest that while the soundtrack generally supports the game’s tone, technical flaws and lack of standout moments detract from its impact. Overall, the consensus among critics leans toward appreciation for the sound design’s atmospheric contributions, despite some reservations. The majority of reviews—particularly from PlayStation LifeStyle, DarkStation, and The Games Machine—highlighted its effectiveness in enhancing narrative tension and emotional depth. However, a smaller but vocal group, including PlayGround.ru and The Digital Fix, questioned its originality and technical execution. While the soundtrack is not universally hailed as groundbreaking, it is broadly seen as a cohesive and supportive element that aligns with the game’s dystopian vision. The mixed feedback reflects a balance between creative ambition and implementation challenges, leaving room for both admiration and critique.

The majority of reviewers praised the voice acting in State of Mind as a standout element, with several highlighting its quality and emotional depth. Hardcore Gamer lauded the "top-quality voice-acting performances," particularly commending the antagonist Dr. Raymond Kurtz for his thematic resonance and nuanced delivery. LaPS4 emphasized the high-quality dubbing, noting that Doug Cockle’s portrayal of Richard Nolan—known for his role as Geralt from The Witcher—added expressive depth to the narrative despite minimalist visuals. Similarly, PlaySense and PlayStation LifeStyle praised the voice acting for enhancing immersion and narrative cohesion, while Vandal and ZTGD specifically highlighted Cockle’s performance as emotionally resonant, with the latter noting it "adds emotional depth to the protagonist." The Digital Fix acknowledged that some performances delivered "emotional depth and natural pacing," and The Games Machine celebrated the cast, including Cockle, for creating a believable world. These critiques underscore the general consensus that the voice acting elevated the game’s storytelling. However, several critics pointed out notable drawbacks. New Game Network criticized Richard Nolan’s grumpy demeanor as alienating, making it difficult to connect with the protagonist, while Adventure Gamers noted Doug Cockle’s "mismatched tone" as a personal issue for some players. DarkStation described Richard’s voice as "flatly delivered," attributing it to his unlikable character design, and The Digital Fix highlighted inconsistencies, with some performances feeling "stiff or poorly directed." Areajugones pointed out the lack of Spanish dubbing as a limitation, though they acknowledged competent dialogue delivery overall. PlayGround.ru offered only a vague "decent voice acting" assessment, while Generación Xbox noted minimal feedback on quality despite positive localization efforts. These critiques suggest that while the voice acting was generally strong, certain performances and technical aspects occasionally undermined its impact. Overall, the critical reception of State of Mind’s voice acting leans overwhelmingly positive, with a clear consensus that Doug Cockle’s performance as Richard Nolan and the supporting cast’s work elevated the game’s narrative. However, there were mixed reactions to the protagonist’s portrayal and some technical or localization issues, such as the absence of French dubs or occasional audio problems. Critics like Hardcore Gamer and ZTGD celebrated the voice acting as a key strength, while others, including New Game Network and Adventure Gamers, noted that personal preferences or execution flaws could detract from the experience. Despite these nuances, the majority agreed that the voice work significantly contributed to the game’s immersive quality, even if it wasn’t flawless across all aspects.

The technical performance of State of Mind varies across platforms, with some positives noted by critics. On PS4, PlayStation LifeStyle praised the game’s smooth performance on the PS4 Pro, citing minimal issues and brief load times when switching protagonists, while Vandal acknowledged 60fps stability despite occasional instability. For PC, Gameplanet and GameSpace highlighted that the game runs smoothly in terms of crashes, though its simplified polygonal style is unexpectedly resource-intensive. On Xbox One, Xbox Tavern commended the consistent framerate and lack of performance drops, suggesting good optimization for the platform. These positives indicate that while technical flaws exist, the game generally functions without major disruptions on each system. However, negative technical issues are more pronounced across platforms. On PS4, critics like Hardcore Gamer and LaPS4 criticized rigid turning animations, awkward camera controls, and physics bugs, with PlaySense noting brief loading screens that disrupt flow. For PC, Areajugones and Gameplanet highlighted input lag, stiff animations, and long load times, while PC Games mentioned a bug causing a missing ventilation shaft in a puzzle. On Xbox One, DarkStation and Generación Xbox pointed to camera instability and frame drops, with TheXboxHub noting frustrating AI behaviors and awkward movement mechanics. These issues collectively suggest that technical polish is uneven, particularly on PC and Xbox One, where performance inconsistencies and control flaws are more frequent. Overall, the consensus among critics is that State of Mind suffers from notable technical shortcomings, though these vary by platform. While PS4 and Xbox One versions receive some praise for smoothness (e.g., PlayStation LifeStyle’s “minimal issues” or Xbox Tavern’s “consistent framerate”), PC faces more significant bugs and optimization problems, as highlighted by Areajugones and Gameplanet. The game’s technical flaws—such as awkward controls, physics glitches, and camera issues—are frequently mentioned across all platforms, but they are often framed as distractions rather than deal-breakers. Despite these challenges, the game’s narrative and atmosphere remain compelling enough for many reviewers to overlook its technical imperfections, though the lack of polish on PC and Xbox One versions risks undermining immersion for some players.

The reviews of State of Mind present a mixed but cautiously optimistic view on its replay value, with some critics highlighting elements that could encourage multiple playthroughs. Vandal notes the presence of hidden trophies and varied interactions, suggesting that players might revisit the game to uncover all content. Similarly, MondoXbox points to multiple endings based on key decisions, which could add a layer of incentive for those interested in exploring different narrative paths. DarkStation also acknowledges critical choices in the ending as a potential draw, while Hardcore Gamer and The Games Machine praise the story’s depth, arguing that the initial playthrough is memorable enough to warrant revisiting for its emotional or thematic impact. These positives, however, are tempered by the game’s structural limitations. The majority of critics emphasize significant drawbacks that severely limit replayability. GameSpew criticizes the non-branching storyline and a conclusion that fails to reflect player choices, while Gaming Age calls the game “unrewarding and unoriginal,” advising players to seek other titles. Hardcore Gamer and PlaySense both highlight repetitive mechanics and minimal decision impact, with the latter noting that outcomes remain largely identical regardless of choices. Push Square and Areajugones point to the game’s short length, high price, and lack of meaningful engagement as major deterrents. Other reviews, including those from Gameplanet, Gamer.no, and NintendoWorldReport, further stress the linear structure, predictable narrative, and absence of complex mechanics, all of which diminish the incentive for repeated playthroughs. Overall, the consensus among critics is that State of Mind offers limited replay value due to its rigid design and lack of player agency. While a few reviewers like Vandal and MondoXbox identify minor incentives—such as trophies or multiple endings—the overwhelming sentiment is that the game’s shortcomings outweigh these positives. The majority view it as a one-time experience, with critics like Gaming Age and Gameplanet dismissing it as unoriginal and uninspiring. Even those who acknowledge its narrative strengths, such as Hardcore Gamer and The Games Machine, concede that the linear structure and repetitive gameplay hinder long-term appeal. This suggests that while State of Mind may succeed in delivering a compelling first playthrough, its design prioritizes storytelling over sustained engagement, leaving little room for repeated exploration.