Meridian 157: Prologue Reviews

by KymberlynT

I think this could be fun at some point if it were updated a good bit. Too much time is spent clicking from one path to the other. See an item, pick it up, click, click, click, go back to the last location, use the item, click, click, click, go back further down the last path to find the next item. There are only a few actual puzzles. The rest is like a treasure hunt, very unchallenging treasure hunt.

I appreciate the free Prologue. I don’t think I’ll buy the following chapters. It’s the type of game I love but it wasn’t complex enough for me. All the clicking and old style graphics really bummed me out.

by BostonM

You “walk” around, picking up any items you find, that are scattered around without reason. The items let you interact with certain obvious things, leading to more obvious items, more obvious interactions. Sometimes there is an boring puzzle game to solve. One of the puzzles is flat-out stupid, hard to believe you’ll figure it out without consulting a walkthrough. The navigation control is crude. You can’t turn around, you can only back up, and, weirdly, sometimes “backing up” actually navigates down to where you haven’t been before. The biggest missing component to this game is imagination. Nothing imaginative or surprising happens.

by Twoarmscollin

I was a bit dismayed at the developer’s comments for some of the critical reviews, which initially turned me off. Then reading some of the more positive reviews, and being a fan of the genre, I decided to give the free prologue a test drive (after all, that’s the whole point of why they made the free prologue). For a small development team (I think 2 ppl based on another review) this seems really well done. It’s definitely closer to Myst than to games like The Room, so I can understand why some players disliked the design and gameplay. However, I found it to be enjoyable. The puzzles themselves were on the easier side, though one of them did not seem to relate at all to the in game clue (not hint) so that had me stumped. The player does spend most of their time clicking through the world and searching for items, that’s the genre, so if it’s not for you I’d move along. This type of game is more about the exploration of the world than just solving puzzles. As with games of its kind, Meridian suffers from the player sometimes having to click around, unsure of whether they’ve missed something or not. Again though, that’s part of the puzzle aspect—figuring out what you need in order to move forward. The storyline is intriguing, and since I like a good scavenger hunt I’ll give one of the paid chapters a try. My one suggestion would be that the devs work on their professionalism when addressing critiques of the game, and not take an aggressive tone with players.

by Musical Dinosaur

I was really hoping these games were on the same high level a different company who also makes ‘enchanting’ games.

Alas it was not to be. Fortunately I didn’t waste much time on it. Avoiding spoilers as much as possible, let’s just say you find a sea captains log. The first thing that the captain says is that his ship “tipped over” and sank. Tipped over??? No captain of anything larger than a rubber raft would say tipped over. The correct nautical term is “capsized”. Either the developers are landlubbers who didn’t do any research at all or they are targeting this game to 3rd graders.

Either way, if this is an example of what’s to come, then I can not give this more than 2 stars. The graphics aren’t good enough for you to know what you are looking at on many screens. The puzzles were quite easy, but then again I didn’t get very far before the Captain pulled me right out of the story back into reality and the realization that this is not a well written puzzle adventure. Moving on to another developer.

by Rickstermon

I downloaded the Prologue of this game with the intention of purchasing the next two chapters. I was close to the end (spoiler) to complete the puzzle after diving and retrieve the drill and getting the oil. When I opened up the vent there was the puzzle. I can usually figure these out but the green block will not move or, when it does, it gets stuck and won’t move any further. Once they fix this, I may reconsider completing this game and purchasing the remaining two chapters. In the meantime I will delete it.

by Kimmyfrog

Played it and it was a good game except two things: confusion about lever puzzle in the control room and the slide puzzle near the elevator was not working.

I am sure that you already saw their comments on the lever puzzle so I am saying the same thing. As for the slide puzzle, I solved it and then pulled the switch to get the elevator to work but it doesn’t work. Perhaps it is a bug? Can you fix it?

Overall, the game is excellent! I give it a 4 stars!!!!

by LRosie3

I loved this game! It was challenging, beautiful to look at, and engaging. However, like other reviewers have stated, the lever puzzle and hint were confusing. The hint showed arrows, stars, and a map that (to me) had nothing to do with the levers themselves. Plus, I already fooled around with the levers before finding the flag clue, and when I returned to the panel the levers hadn’t reset, but instead remained where I placed them, which threw off the sequence in which I should have pulled them. Unfortunately, I had to skip the puzzle altogether. The only other thing is that the game is disappointingly short, but for a free “prologue” I guess 20 minutes to complete isn’t bad play time. Good overall!

by Bea.p.miranda55

Great game. Very challenging!
My biggest problem was putting the levers into there original places. Once I got them back into their original position I found the arrow directions plan quite difficult to follow.
My only request is to be able to reset the levers back to their original position (either by backing out of the lever puzzle or hitting some sort of reset button) and I will have to muddle through the arrow directions some way.
Again, a great game and great graphics!

by Appuser032383

For me the game was a bit challenging and I usually do pretty well with this kind of thing. It really immerses you in the environment. I found the puzzle to get the elevator working to be very hard (maybe a little to hard for starting out). I really tried on it but finally had to skip. Otherwise I like it.

by Mikeakopa

I have spent thousands of dollars on IPhone games over the years, often just to support the developers who thankfully haven’t turned to the dark side(“free-to-play”) This game is actually a FANTASTIC point and click adventure and is absolutely worth atleast a couple bucks. Brilliant move making the prologue free, as hopefully it will allow players to see how great a game this is and hopefully invest in the future chapters. I have already purchased chapter 1 (havnt started yet) and will absolutely be purchasing every chapter released.
Great hint system, beautiful graphics, interesting location and story, and pickup objects are not overly-hidden. It’s generally fairly apparent which objects can be interacted with, and you always feel as like you are making progress. Amazing game, and I absolutely recommend everyone atleast try the prologue, and if you enjoy it, support the dev so they can continue making actual good games, and not the freemium b.s. that sadly is flooding the market, replacing actual fun games. 10 out of 10 for this guy👍🏼

by Scottishgrll

Been looking for a long time to find a good puzzle game and I found it with this one. I don’t mind paying for a game I like but to pay for every chapter of it is a down side. Who’s to say the others are as good as this one. Since I just got a gift card I think I’m going to get it. If you like a good thinking game then this is it. The music fits perfect with this game too. Enjoy!!

by J_Benz

Excellent game! I’m a big fan of HER Interactive Nancy Drew mysteries and there is currently only one available for IOS - worked through it, loved it, and wanted more to play on my iPad without dragging out my whole laptop. This one reminded me a lot of those games and is exactly what I was looking for! Like everyone else, I needed help with the lever challenge, but it seems that issue is being addressed. Otherwise, awesome game and I’m looking forward to more chapters!

by Caitnah

I am a big fan of The Room games and wanted something similar. House of DaVinci was okay but some clues were impossible so frustrating.
This game was a nice change. Movement is not fluid but instead you just point in the direction and you taken there. Other games with zoom/pinch can get dizzying so this is a nice change.
The clues are challenging making frustration level low.
The camera is a REAL nice touch. You can take pictures of clues so you don’t constantly have to right them down or remember all of them.
And another nice touch...they give you the option of skipping a puzzle if it’s too difficult.
I’ll be getting the other versions of this game.

by Bent Feather

Eerie music and ambient sounds, odd disquieting scenes, awakening to a glimpse of someone over you, boats, telescopes, maps! I’m not one of those reviewers who can barely contain telling you how brilliant they are. The puzzles were tough for me, but the game gives you hints and there is actually no hurry to solving things. I had to solve only one puzzle by brute force. The rest had solutions that occurred to me, eventually. Shortish game, but it is meant to be an appetizer.

by Fuzzyfoot88

Never since Myst in 1993 has a point and click puzzler moved me to write a review but Meridian 157 has done just that.
The atmosphere is immersive, the imagery mesmerizing, the puzzles perplexing and all of this in favor of a slowly unfolding story about a seemingly abandoned island with many deep secrets.

The Prologue is free but I would have gladly paid for it. I finished it in one day but rest assured it is but a sliver of what the full chapters have to offer. Once I completed it, I went ahead and bought all the available chapters. It’s so worth it.

If you were looking to scratch that Myst itch you get every now and then, look no further than Meridan 157, the best evidence that this genre still has many gifts to give us. Bravo Novasoft! You’ve done what I thought was impossible for years. You recaptured the same magic for me, Myst once did over 25 years ago!

by Jumper.roller.coingatherer

I rarely leave full reviews but this game was exactly what I was looking for. I liked it so much I purchased the next 2 chapters and can’t wait to continue. The game reminds me of “The Room” but better and the story is interesting and a real mystery. If you like solving puzzles then you will love this game. And at $1.99 for each chapter, it is affordable enough to buy without guilt. All the chapters are long enough to keep you engaged but not too long where you get bored or frustrated. I am looking forward to chapter 3!

by Newlley

I am a big PAC adventure game fan. I’ve been playing since I was in high school (Myst etc.) This is a very high quality, elaborate and beautiful game. I have been playing for days and just finished chapter two. Hints are helpful but there are very few puzzles that you can’t solve if you just put the time in. There are two or three (through to chapter two) puzzles that I rolled my eyes at because the interaction was tricky (the fishing pole in chapter two was tricky to maneuver, not hard to figure out, and the overhead shower vent in chapter one was weird because it wasn’t obvious that it, of all the dozens of vents, was an active game piece).

But I am very excited for the final chapter to see the story resolve.

by Lou In Louisville

I love when developers let you try a game before you purchase because it gives you an idea of the story, how the controls work, your objective, and basically whether or not it’s worth spending your money on. So I played the prologue of Meridian 157 and enjoyed the type of point and click gameplay it offers so I just purchased chapter 1. If you are looking for a fun point and click puzzle adventure game, try this free prologue. You don’t have anything to lose and I guarantee you’ll end up buying the game like I did. Plus we are all quarantined at home so I’ve got all the time in the world so this will definitely help pass the time and take my mind off the bad crap going on in the world with this stupid virus. 😷

by Tulahlk

I loved this game from the start, and with every chapter it got better and better. This prologue does the perfect job of setting up the atmosphere and story, which is balanced parts mysterious and unsettling. It leaves you with a profound feeling that’s hard to explain in any way other than lonely. You want to know what happened here.
The puzzles are a good mix of standalone and exploration based, which keeps things interesting and fun; you know you’re going to get to see everything. And having the camera REALLY helps.
I also like that David occasionally comments on what happens; it gives him enough personality to be able to see him as a character in a story, and it makes you feel like you’re in this together—but still leaves enough room for you to think for yourself.
Overall, it’s definitely a series worth playing. And, due to it’s length, it has a good replay value, too.

by Medttechh

This game is amazing & for all ages! If you like games like Room 1, 2, 3 then this is just like those, except much better. Lots of nice graphics, animation, and creativity. Buy the full version to enjoy the full experience. I just wished it had more chapters to play with. The puzzles are unique and interesting. Every new puzzle is fun and never boring. I hope developers keep creating such games as there are very few games like this. So glad to play this!