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Semblance

Semblance

Released: 7/24/2018

Semblance is a innovative platformer with deformable terrain, set in a beautiful minimalist world. It’s a game that asks, what if you could deform and reshape the world itself? Semblance takes the idea of a ‘platform’ in a platformer and turns it on it’s head. What if platforms were actually part of the gameplay, part of the way you solved problems? Explore a world where the default is soft, where the property of 'hardness' doesn't exist. Each of the game's three worlds explore a new consequence of a planet that can shift, change and deform. Beat back the strange, crystalline infection of hard material by freeing the world's life essences and uncover the dark cause for its appearance. Unique and innovative deforming platform gameplay: Can’t reach a collectible? Just deform and elevate a piece of the ground so that the point you jump from is higher. Nasty spikes in the way? Just deform and push-down the ground lower so that you can pass by. Squish, bounce, squash and transform the world- and yourself to solve problems. Beautiful Minimalist Aesthetic Design: Explore 3 worlds bursting with colorful minimalist charm, quirky critters, and calming vistas. Become hypnotized by each world's dynamically layered score, each with a hint of African aural distinction. Explore non-linearly: The game allows you to move between puzzles as you wish, never forcing you to find a solution in order to progress and enabling you to come back later. Similarly, the game's narrative is presented expansively, allowing you to explore- and piece together the story for yourself as you roam the game.

Semblance is a innovative platformer with deformable terrain, set in a beautiful minimalist world. It’s a game that asks, what if you could deform and reshape the world itself? Semblance takes the idea of a ‘platform’ in a platformer and turns it on it’s head. What if platforms were actually part of the gameplay, part of the way you solved problems? Explore a world where the default is soft, where the property of 'hardness' doesn't exist. Each of the game's three worlds explore a new consequence of a planet that can shift, change and deform. Beat back the strange, crystalline infection of hard material by freeing the world's life essences and uncover the dark cause for its appearance. Unique and innovative deforming platform gameplay: Can’t reach a collectible? Just deform and elevate a piece of the ground so that the point you jump from is higher. Nasty spikes in the way? Just deform and push-down the ground lower so that you can pass by. Squish, bounce, squash and transform the world- and yourself to solve problems. Beautiful Minimalist Aesthetic Design: Explore 3 worlds bursting with colorful minimalist charm, quirky critters, and calming vistas. Become hypnotized by each world's dynamically layered score, each with a hint of African aural distinction. Explore non-linearly: The game allows you to move between puzzles as you wish, never forcing you to find a solution in order to progress and enabling you to come back later. Similarly, the game's narrative is presented expansively, allowing you to explore- and piece together the story for yourself as you roam the game.

Semblance is a innovative platformer with deformable terrain, set in a beautiful minimalist world. It’s a game that asks, what if you could deform and reshape the world itself? Semblance takes the idea of a ‘platform’ in a platformer and turns it on it’s head. What if platforms were actually part of the gameplay, part of the way you solved problems? Explore a world where the default is soft, where the property of 'hardness' doesn't exist. Each of the game's three worlds explore a new consequence of a planet that can shift, change and deform. Beat back the strange, crystalline infection of hard material by freeing the world's life essences and uncover the dark cause for its appearance. Unique and innovative deforming platform gameplay: Can’t reach a collectible? Just deform and elevate a piece of the ground so that the point you jump from is higher. Nasty spikes in the way? Just deform and push-down the ground lower so that you can pass by. Squish, bounce, squash and transform the world- and yourself to solve problems. Beautiful Minimalist Aesthetic Design: Explore 3 worlds bursting with colorful minimalist charm, quirky critters, and calming vistas. Become hypnotized by each world's dynamically layered score, each with a hint of African aural distinction. Explore non-linearly: The game allows you to move between puzzles as you wish, never forcing you to find a solution in order to progress and enabling you to come back later. Similarly, the game's narrative is presented expansively, allowing you to explore- and piece together the story for yourself as you roam the game.

Critics
76
Steam
86

Score Breakdown

75.6

Critic Average

37 reviews

86

Steam User Score

400 reviews

N/A

Metacritic User Score

Less than 20 reviews

Disparity Breakdown

Steam Disparity
-9.9
Metacritic Disparity
N/A
Combined Disparity
-9.9

Average of both sources

Review Timing

2 early (5%)34 launch window (92%)1 late (3%)

Review summary

Updated May 8, 2026

Based on 37 scored critic reviews, critics give this game an average score of 75.6/100. Critics score this game 9.9 points lower than Steam users.

How these comparisons are calculated
Sources behind this summary(5 recent of 37)+
  1. Connor NicholsviaSeafoam Gaming
    Aug 29, 2022·Late review
    80/100View review
    Steam 85.5/100 · -5.5 pts
  2. Branislav KohútviaSECTOR.sk
    Sep 19, 2018·Launch window
    80/100View review
    Steam 85.5/100 · -5.5 pts
  3. PS4Blog.net StaffviaPS4Blog.net
    Aug 30, 2018·Launch window
    80/100View review
    Steam 85.5/100 · -5.5 pts
  4. Andrew McAtomineyviaIndie Ranger
    Aug 18, 2018·Launch window
    60/100View review
    Steam 85.5/100 · -25.5 pts
  5. Vikki BlakeviaEurogamer
    Aug 6, 2018·Launch window
    80/100View review
    Steam 85.5/100 · -5.5 pts