Californium is a labour of love that didn't even try to do a fine job at using the thing it loves the most. It makes promises of offering a plot-heavy adventure that is heavily inspired by Philip K. Dick, when it's just marginally influenced by it, and, even worse, gameplay-wise, it is a frustrating hidden object game, which becomes less so due to its...
Californium2016
Californium
2016 ARTE France65Worthwhile
Playtime
ShortTypically 3 hours
Playable on
Available on
- $6.99
Game modes
Details
- Launch
- February 17, 2016
- Developer
- NOVA Production
- Publisher
- ARTE France
Overview
Taking the form of wacky shenanigans and a first-person experience of a bad trip, Californium pays homage to sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick by transporting you into the life of a writer who is searching for his own identity. Explore the worlds of Californium, a first person exploration game where you are a writer trapped into shifting realities. Will you find what’s behind the simulacra?
Screenshots
Reception
Press64
Players69
WorthwhileWorthwhile- Metacritic64from 12 reviews
- OpenCritic63from 7 reviews
Californium can't get past writer's block
[Californium] did get challenging at times, and I would be lying if I said I didn't rage quit once or twice, but in the end the reward for finishing was worth it.
Californium is first and foremost a delight for the eyes and the ears. Then, it’s an analysis on the effects of Elvin’s writing upon him, done in a quasi-interactive manner. Its simplistic, tedious gameplay drastically reduces the amount of players Californium can hope to appeal to.
Exploration through stylish worlds with a dash of subtle, paranoia-inducing surrealism makes this a strong—if somewhat tedious—walk-em-up, but for a game building off the memory of a literary legend, the actual narrative leaves a lot to be desired.