Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Game
Game2018
Semblance
Developer Nyamakop
Semblance is a 2018 puzzle-platform game developed by South African studio Nyamakop and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. It was released on 24 July 2018 for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Nintendo Switch. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
200 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Sep 6, 2026 · last updated Oct 8, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
84
LovedLoved
161 positive · 30 negative
95% range 78–89%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 161 | 30 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
9 newer reactions are still waiting for a label.
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
345 of 404 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What people are saying
Summary pending — the reactions are listed below.
Reactions
60 of 200 · most liked firstGreat concept, but I'm not good enough with controls to make it work: The concept, puzzles, and graphics are lovely, but if you're like me and have any trouble with precision jumping in games, this may not be the game for you. (If you don't have this problem, the game is wonderful. No need to read on. Buy it!) If jumps are your game struggle, maybe wait for a sale? I adore this style of game, have played many, and I started out loving this one, but I had to give up for a while after spending…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Putting the “form” into platformer It was just a normal day, with the various creatures inhabiting this soft world hanging out together. Until a strange, sharp green blob came into the picture and jumped into one of the world trees. Normally it wouldn’t be a big deal, however when that green blob did, it infected everything. Sharp green and pink crystals have formed over the world trees and, in turn, the areas inside of them. Was it on purpose or just an accident? We may never know unless all…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Everyone's favorite recreational holiday is here - the GOOD SHEPHERD STEAM SALE! Grab beloved games like Semblance, Monster Train, and the Eternal Cylinder at massive discounts - up to 90% off! I saw a game in there for like 70 CENTS. YES, IN THIS ECONOMY!! store.steampowered.com/curator/3377...
unlabelledView post →WHY, IN THE NAME OF GOD, ARE THE TIMBERS SO INSISTENT ON PLAYING THROUGH RSL'S PRESS? WHY ARE THEY RECEIVING ALL OF THESE BUILDUP PASSES WITH THEIR BACK TO GOAL? WHY CAN'T THEY CARRY ANY SEMBLANCE OF MOMENTUM FROM GAME TO GAME? #RCTID
unlabelledView post →Play as gelatinous creature and bend terrain to your will. Puzzles are interesting enough and makes you put your grey cells in motion. To complete some challenges you have to think outside the box. Not every terrain can be morphed and you can revert any changes you made. Story tells about organic and crystal like lifeforms and how they coexisted however something changed. Soundtrack is deep. Visuals are simple but looks organic and somewhat alive. Overall great puzzle platformer and you have to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really, really tried to give it a fair chance, but Semblance never rises from the status of "cool-idea-on-paper-but-not-enough-to-justify-a-full-priced-game". The premise of shaping the world to complete your platforming goals sounds great, until you start to notice the controls are not finely tuned to challenges/mechanics, and you're suddenly trying to beat the controls, not the levels. This reminds me a lot of Hue, a cool gimmick that become a chore when it's forced into a full game. The…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Okayish puzzle but why no key-binding? For some levels, the game requires precise world-shaping that need serious accurate which although you know how to solve it, yet will take lots of attempt to 'do it right'. It would be great if some accessibilities such as rebind key or time slow are added, or just make the level a bit less accurately necessary.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/23741321/]Follow our curator page, Alexander's Club Curations if you like and want to see more reviews like this one. Semblance is an innovative platformer with deformable terrain, set in a beautiful vibrant world. Synopsis Semblance is an animated puzzle game that breaks the boundaries of traditional platformers and encourages exploration. +Pros Smooth and perfectly integrated physics Learning curve apt for everyone Hidden shrines…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Want to recommend the game cause the first world was a blast. Even the second world was mostly pretty awesome, but after getting to the first puzzle of the last zone in the second world I am stuck because I don't have the reflexes necessary to complete a timing puzzle. I know exactly what I have to do, watched a tutorial and everything, but the controls and timing are too tight for me to complete it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Resembles an indie game - with all its peaks and troughs [url=http://store.steampowered.com/curator/32296668-Casual-Game-Reviews/] More reviews on our Curator Page Reviewing is an inherently unfair practice. It's a two-way conversation with yourself on someone else's work about its value to others - often ignoring provenance, circumstance, and ending up weighing man against colossus on the same set of scales. Semblance is a good game. An astonishing game, even. As the first game of two…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Mask Of Semblance! #actionrpg Live in a hand-painted world. Discover Mask Of Semblance! This great #indiegame is now FREE on indiexpo website! #pcgamer #gamer #pcgames #unity3d Game Page: www.indiexpo.net/games/mask-o...
unlabelledView post →Not going to lie, for a $1 game on sale, Semblance is a pretty decent puzzle platformer! The puzzles are well crafted and either require to mold the terrain or be agile enough to precision jump. Tricky but not very hard puzzles. I like puzzle games that offer a different perspective like Gorogoa, Monument Valley or Framed. I'd say Semblance falls into the same family/category as Portal or Qube. Best played with a controller. Pretty little time waster ;)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You can shape (most of) the playable area by bumping it and trying to solve puzzles. I liked every new mechanic; lasers, no-dash areas, reformer beams, reshaper walls. Some puzzles want you from precise moves but overall great puzzle game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/31067175/] If you enjoy this review please consider following my Curator page here . I got to say, I’m a sucker for puzzle-platformers with a twist. African developer Nyamakop nails their freshman effort with Semblance. The twist here is that the platforms that you use for traversal can also be molded to solve puzzles. This terrain deformation works great in practice and I found it to be a cool spin on the genre. The gameplay is delightfully…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →For the second day of Kwanzaa, we take a look at Semblance, the first game from developer @nyamakop.co.za , the team behind the upcoming Relooted. youtu.be/Um822dazVGI #blackgamedevelopers #indeigaming #indiegames #semblance #gaming
unlabelledView post →This isn't terrible but its just an average puzzler. I found it more tedious than fun. More of a meh than a not recommended, but Steam doesn't give us that option.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I don't know why other reviewers say the puzzles are difficult, they are somewhat easy, also controllers are responsive no issues there as others mention. The problem with this game is that it gets boring real fast and it stays like that, at least it was super cheap during sale.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Nice game, finished on deck without problems
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Once again, wish there was a sideways thumb. It absolutely isn't a bad game as such, but it's not to my liking and I wouldn't recommend it. I'm sure tho, lots of people will love it. On paper, the world shaping mechanic seems fresh and intriguing, and promises some creative ways of solving puzzles. In the game, on the other hand, it boils down to (tediously) implementing one readily apparent solution after another.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →That would have been our first game, Semblance, that was the first!
unlabelledView post →Semblance is a great game with deformable terrain. I found it a bit disappointing that platforms can only be influenced in one direction and you can't bend them in several ways. There was also the occasional bug where you could get stuck in a platform. But otherwise the game was a lot of fun, even if it was a bit short.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A hard puzzle platformer. I started this game and haven't played TOO much but already love it, its a puzzle platformer with deformable terrain, it can be hard at times but overall is not too challenging but not too easy. Pros : + Fun gameplay + Good replay ability + Achievements + Nice artstyle Cons : - No trading cards - Can get annoying and challenging at times Overall 7/10!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very pretty, but really slippery controls and the gimmick doesn't really add anything. Frustrating and boring, ultimately not worth your time.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good idea but poor exsecution. Inj this puzzle platformer you can bend surfaces and your character and on paper that sounds like a great platform to build creative and challenging puzzles.Sadly the puzzles are too easy and not creative at all,really dissapointed with this one and hope they will make another game and use these mechanics to build good puzzles. Artstyle is good nad music also. I would like to recommend this but I cant because of poor puzzles and unrealized potential.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32732116-IndieGems/]Follow our curator page: IndieGems if you like and want to see more reviews like this one. Semblance is a combination of 2D-platforming and environment-modifying puzzle solving in a beautifully crafted yet still minimalistic environment. Gameplay There is no story in this game, just one thing to do after another, and you could interpret the small details that the game provides however you wish. You are a simple blob, and you are…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So far, so good. Very interesting, refreshing and unique mechanic in the world of platformers.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You won't find a good platformer nor a good puzzle game here. In my play time there's been "find the one spot where you won't die" style platforming which is never enjoyable. The puzzles all have obvious solutions and the glitchy physics allowed me to easily "cheat" through two puzzles by jumping into a wall and then out of that "stuck" position. There was no discernable story I could find, a couple of meaningless drawings dot some areas but Journey or ABZU did a far better job (one drawing…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It really pains me to leave a negative review to such an original idea for a game. But in the end, this is all that remains. An original idea and nothing more. The execution of it leaves much to be desired. The whole premise of the game is really cool and interesting. A deformable platformer. Platforms that can be reshaped in order to gain an advantage, solve puzzles which seem impossible at first glance and even move through the world by exploiting this feature. Reminds me a little of The…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →looks cute, but controls are really awkward, and straight from the getgo I seemed to have locked myself out of the early levels by just running ahead passing some point you cant travel back from... feels very proto-type like. One of those impulse buys I'll not be getting back to
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's on the edge but I'd probably by default not recommend it unless I really think it would be a good fit so "No" it is. Personally I don't think it was worth my time/money, though it's definitely a decently good game. The art is nice the controls are nice, the mechanics are very nice and unique ... but the actual gameplay is pretty uninteresting? Most of the puzzle solutions are uninspired and unoriginal, there were times I executed the same solution for 5-6 puzzles in a row with very minor…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Neat idea, but too much precision jumping with very course controls and not enough problem solving.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A charming little puzzle platformer. I though the mechanics were different and interesting. It's fairly short, but it doesn't overstay its welcome or pad for playtime. There were a few frustrating parts that were kind of skill intensive, but nothing insurmountable. Some fun collectibles. The plot was, uh, there? As far as I could tell. Overall, a solid puzzle platformer with clever mechanics and fun puzzles. I got it on sale, but I think it's worth the price for the quality of the experience.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →4 hrs of puzzle-focused platforming fun.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →7/10 solid puzzle platformer really short game, finished in 1 sitting. about 1.6 hours - a little bit buggy and you can get stuck inside things or noclip them from time to time
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beautiful game. Wobble with the jelly elk slam the crystal flies! Simple puzzles soon give way to more complex and intercate problems. Unwritten but not underdeveloped storyline. 10/10 would Semblance again!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Squishiness. The squishiness... OH GOD, THE SQUISHINESS!!! A very cool game with a neat concept that was well-implemented and really taken to the limits of what you can do with it. There were a few puzzles that on first glance I thought "what the hell?" but after some thinking (and sometimes some more thinking) made perfect sense and made me give mental kudos to the level designers. =) Graphically the game looks wonderful; it really fits the atmosphere and the way the land reacts to movement…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a extremely nice game and i definately reccomend it to everyone but there is two slight problems 1 this game is too short. this game has alot of mechanics and fun but its too short. I would have been more fun if it had like an endless mode or something and 2 i don't think this game is worth 10$ this is a great game but it felt like this game was like a demo of a console game either way this is amazing! i honestly don't think this would have any hate :D
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A pleasant platformer that keeps its puzzles fresh throughout the game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It really says a lot that a Digimon game with no SEMBLANCE of nostalgia from my end is one of the only recent purchases of mine. Current day gaming can suck a fat one but Time Stranger you can stay
unlabelledView post →Semblance is a refreshing take for a puzzle platformer. Shaping environments for platforming works and it feels great. The game adds new twists in each of the 3 worlds, they’re just enough without overwhelming the player. There are between 5 and 6 levels in each world and there is a special final area after all of them are cleared. In terms of collectibles, there are 4 types. Mosquitos which usually require some tricky platforming, art on walls to explain the story, essences that are mandatory…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Really fun non-combat puzzle game platformer with interesting mechanics. The learning curve isn't very steep, and I like that we're always introduced to any new mechanics with some simple puzzles first before progressing in difficulty. I greatly appreciate when there aren't any combat aspects to a game, and the fact that dying doesn't actually matter here. If you mess up, you can always reset your squish and the puzzle elements, so it's very low-stakes and relaxing, while the puzzles are…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Outstanding puzzle-platformer game with unique mechanics, charming art and enchanting music. Sometimes puzzles are too technique-dependent instead of brain-dependent, but overall Semblance is great. 💜
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its quite short but the puzzles are well made even if the game feels unpolished you can look past that at a fun platforming puzzle game unlike most.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its a nice puzzle platformer that sells itself with its deformable environment. As a platformer, the deformable platforms are indeed a unique mechanism in my opinion and it feels satisfying to move in the game. As a puzzle game, I don't think that this features made this game stand out. The puzzles themselves aren't too hard but they aren't trivial either, I bought this for a day-long train trip and it was a decent way to spend some time. For that, it's perfect, otherwise I don't think that I…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →it took me 6 houirs to 100% it and 4 to finish the story. It was fun and beyond just "cassual"
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It was fun to start but I do not like some of the puzzles to the point I refuse to finish this one. I looked up a guide video eventually to help me along and seeing the solution I'd have to do on one puzzle was just unacceptable. I'm giving this one a pass and a removal off my list.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Short and enjoyable experience. Got it on a steep discount.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →+ Actually innovative + Interesting puzzles, not too difficult + Overall fun for sure +/- Occasionally requires some well-timed, precise movements - No story/plot/characters/dialog past some cave paintings - Keyboard bindings aren't ideal Fun game, overall difficulty is kinda "trivial for platformer veterans but probably a little too hard for a casual player". My only criticism is that it doesn't even try to tell you a story of any sort, or introduce characters etc. The cinematic trailer on…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm so glad I got this game from a friend as a gift. Can't imagine paying for it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Stumbled on this game randomly and upon reading 'deformable terrain' I just knew I had to get this. As someone who loves puzzle games, this game is definitely a very fresh and innovative twist for me. Semblance do add in new features so each and every puzzle does not feel repetitive or tedious. Hint: If you think the some of the puzzles are solved by fast reaction times, most of the time you are wrong, they would be a way to solve it with some brain power instead of fast fingers. Definitely…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Short but sweet! A very fun, squishy, and bouncy puzzle platformer. The innovative mechanic of reshaping and molding the platforms themselves to reach new heights is brilliantly clever. 🧩 I found that the controls could be a little frustrating sometimes, but it was not a big deal. Overall, I really enjoyed this charming little adventure, and therefore I highly recommend it! 🌟
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun and fairly affordable little platformer. It took me a few minutes to realise I could break things by boosting in a downward motion so I was stuck on the first introductory level for a bit longer than I'd like to admit. I only had one bug which had me fall through the map on the second level but luckily in the start menu there's a 'reset blob' button or whatever, so that fixed me. A few of the puzzles genuinely had me sitting there for a few minutes braining out what I was supposed to do.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Refreshing, easy and short. Introduces some interesting mechanics along the way and doesn't get too crazy with them. The terrain deforming and movement can have some slight jank but pretty chill experience other than that. Achievements are just collect some extra stuff, not much harder than the main game. 5~ Hours to 100%. Grabbed it on sale for 2 bucks, might be worth full price if you're looking for something new.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Short, sweet, and with a cute gimmick. Perfect way to spend a few hours.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game has a lot of interesting ideas, but doesn't really bring them all together very well.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →At first I was thought that it was cute and it would be a clever game... and innovative of course – not in a brilliant way, but enough to hook me. After a few engaging puzzles, came more and more those relying mostly on execution... We know that, in principle, the epiphany of finding the solution to a puzzle should be its climax; the remaining execution has to not come in the way, or should be fun to play. However here it doesn't happen this way. OK, why not, all action-puzzle games also rely…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good little puzzle platformer game. Definately a tad on the short side, but then it doesn't overstay it's welcome. The puzzles arent that difficult but there are a few that really make you scratch your head. Wished there was more content, maybe they'll add some more worlds in the future but even if not, it was worth it if you like the independent puzzle platform genre.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Semblance is a great addition to the puzzle platforming genre and with a new twist, it does separate itself in a crowd full of platformers. It might feel like a tech demo to some due to it's length and some of the missed opportunities. Full review below. http://gamingpurists.com/semblance-review-pc-bouncy-mashy-platforming/
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unusually beautiful. Nyamakop are a South African development team founded in 2015, this is their debut title. It’s a an interesting and eye-catching entry. Working alongside Good Shepherd Entertainment they have had great worldwide coverage and the beginnings of a great adventure in the gaming industry. Where to begin with Semblance is a difficult one, as it so unusual but yet so beautiful. It is a side scrolling platformer with a twist. The graphics and art style are amazing, genuinely love…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm not a platform gamer, but I'm enjoying this very much. Simple, but with challenging problem solving encounters.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
Posts are quoted from public profiles with links to the original. Want yours removed? Contact us.
You Might Also Like
similar titlesFINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
Game
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined
Game
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Game
Little Kitty, Big City
Little Kitty, Big City
Game
What Remains of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finch
Game