Magnetic: Cage Closed is a first person puzzle game that lets you manipulate and master magnetic forces. The mechanics are focused around a single tool: The Magnet Gun. This device is the only thing that helps you navigate the vast and deadly prison-maze you’ve been cast into...

Magnetic: Cage Closed is a first person action/adventure puzzle game that see you as an inmate in a futuristic prison. With no idea of why you're there or what your captives want from you, you are soon thrust into a deadly environment.

Most gamers will probably find an obvious comparison with Portal. But it also kind of reminded me of the sci-fi movie Cube, in that you move from room to room unsure of what to expect next. Each room holds a puzzle that you must figure out before you can move to the next room.

You're hand held through the start of the game, as the voices of your captors explain where you are (in a mysterious, not giving away too much information, way) and what they expect from you. And, on the occasion that you get stuck they give you the odd hint.

The main part of the game involves you using a magnetic gun to move blocks / yourself around the environment. The problem with this is that lining everything up can be a little fiddly and as the later levels involve you having to use the gun a lot (and one false move and you'll have to start that room again) which can become very frustrating very quickly.

The gun has different settings which need to be used depending on what object your moving and how far you want it to travel. The main game sees you moving blocks, hitting buttons, pulling switches and jumping to different levels... and after a while this starts to become a little tiresome - especially if you can't figure out how to progress.

There's also a Time Trial mode where you can revisit rooms and try to better your previous score.

It's not an awful game, but neither is it one that is an essential purchase. It's cheap enough that if you enjoy puzzle games it's worth picking up.

7

Nick Smithson