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Whispers of a Machine

PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac, Android • 2019

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Quick resume

Whispers of a Machine is a Sci-Fi Nordic Noir that tells the story of Vera, a cybernetically augmented detective in a post-AI world, who investigates a string of murders and unravels a dark conflict over forbidden technology.

Global score

93/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Puzzle, Point-and-click

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging cyberpunk detective story
    • Meaningful player choices affecting gameplay
    • Innovative augmentation mechanics
    • Well-written characters and voice acting
    • Good replayability with multiple paths and endings

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Lack of manual save slots limits experimentation
    • Some puzzles can be cryptic or unintuitive
    • Limited world exploration and background npcs
    • Story and worldbuilding could be deeper

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Expression, Story, Thrill.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players make meaningful choices that shape character personality and unlock different augmentations, allowing multiple approaches to puzzles and story progression."

    • Competence
      3

      "Puzzles require logical thinking and investigation skills with some challenge; players receive feedback and can solve problems in multiple ways."

    • Competition
      -4

      "Focus is on personal investigation and story progression without competitive elements or player comparison."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players are motivated to replay the game to explore different personality paths, augmentations, and endings, encouraging multiple playthroughs."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Gameplay is single-player focused with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players creatively solve puzzles using different augmentations and dialogue choices that affect gameplay style and puzzle solutions."

    • Domination
      -5

      "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Immersive narrative and atmospheric world provide an engaging escape from reality into a cyberpunk detective story."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, mystery, and gameplay; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Encourages trying different dialogue options and augmentations to explore alternate puzzle solutions and story outcomes."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Players explore a small town environment with some backtracking and discovery of clues, though the world is limited in scope."

    • Expression
      3

      "Players shape protagonist personality through dialogue choices affecting augmentations and interactions, enabling self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Set in a futuristic cyberpunk world with sci-fi augmentations and speculative technology, blending imaginative fiction with detective narrative."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Primarily a solo experience with limited social interaction beyond NPC dialogue; no multiplayer or community features."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop investigative skills and learn to use augmentations effectively; story and puzzles encourage problem-solving growth."

    • Health
      -5

      "Standard sedentary gameplay typical of point-and-click adventure games; no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention on puzzles and story progression; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -3

      "Interactions with NPCs are limited to dialogue and investigation; no deep emotional or relationship-building mechanics."

    • Leadership
      -4

      "Player follows a narrative path without leading or managing others; no leadership or group management elements."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players unlock new augmentations and abilities based on personality choices, enabling progression through puzzles and story."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Generally calm and atmospheric gameplay with some tension from mystery elements but overall a steady pace."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable pixel art and atmospheric music provide sensory stimulation, though not intense or highly exciting."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status mechanics; gameplay is focused on individual experience."

    • Story
      5

      "Strong narrative immersion with well-developed characters, meaningful choices, and engaging cyberpunk mystery plot."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Requires logical reasoning and planning to solve puzzles and decide dialogue options affecting augmentations and outcomes."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Some suspense and mystery elements create mild tension, but overall gameplay is calm and contemplative."

    • Value
      3

      "Players find good value in story, replayability, and unique mechanics despite relatively short playtime."

    • Violence
      -3

      "Minimal violence; focus is on investigation and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

    • Survival
      -3

      "Stable conditions with no survival mechanics; gameplay centers on investigation rather than threat avoidance."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026