Schematic Void – Ponderous Puzzles and Fourth-Wall Breaks

“I am somewhat exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it pours electricity into a non-conductor?” – Arthur Conan Doyle

Overview

Schematic Void is an original, intriguing, and unfinished puzzle game. Players must complete deceptively simple electrical circuits whilst finishing the work of the developer and gradually breaking down the fourth wall.

Gameplay

Schematic Void consists of twelve levels, each containing an electrical circuit that needs to be completed. At first glance, this often appears to be a straightforward task, but closer inspection will reveal that there is a lot more to each puzzle. The game is not as linear as one might first think, and it is essential to visit and revisit past and even future levels. There is a fair amount of backtracking required, and players will need to remember details from each in order to effectively solve each puzzle.

Four tools are provided, gradually, as the player reaches new levels: a rotate tool, a magnifying glass, a pencil, and a screwdriver. These tools allow essential further exploration of the space within each level, as they often contain much more than can be seen at first glance.

The puzzle solutions can be a little unclear at times, which, although fitting with the generally abstract nature of the experience, can be a bit frustrating at times. However, there is a hint system available. This will provide a small clue, direct the player, or simply inform that there is nothing left to do in the current level. The system is helpful without resorting to hand-holding, allowing players to still feel some satisfaction and sense of achievement when solving different problems.

Narrative

The narrative elements of Schematic Void are obscure and even a little abstract. It is quite unique in its somewhat meta focus on the relationship between the player and the developer and the gradual destruction of the fourth wall. Narrative tidbits are often revealed through the discovery of hidden objects or drawings. It is difficult to discuss the narrative aspect of the game without revealing too much, but although the offerings are quite modest in terms of story, it manages to be engaging, ties into the gameplay in a satisfying way, and will certainly pique curiosity throughout.

Styling

Schematic Void uses a minimalistic but stylised art style that utilises cartoonish line drawings and a mostly monochromatic colour palette. The default is black and white, but the background can be changed, with a choice of different pastel colours. This provides options for players but is also helpful in terms of accessibility. Despite the simplicity, the visuals are quite effective; they fit very well with the gameplay and help keep the focus on the puzzles.

There are some minimal sound effects in the game, which, although subtle, add to the overall immersion. The music is nicely varied, and while it often has a somewhat delicate feel to it in terms of sound, the tempo of each track can be quite fast, giving a frantic feeling and implying a sense of urgency. The appropriateness of this becomes increasingly apparent as the player progresses through the game.

Summary

Schematic Void is a very enjoyable puzzle game and will take around 2-4 hours to complete. It offers minimalistic but nicely stylised visuals, a fun and somewhat frenetic soundtrack, and satisfying puzzles that belie their simplicity, working in tandem with the fourth-wall-breaking narrative to create a comprehensive and unique experience. Solutions can be tricky to deduce, but far from impossible, and a well-implemented hint system aids progression without detracting too much from the process. I’d happily recommend this to fans of puzzle games, especially those looking for something a little bit different.

If you enjoy more unusual puzzle games, you might also want to check out the following reviews:
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