The Plane Effect (2021)

The Plane Effect has a bad execution and can put the player away in a short time. The bizarre story is completely open to interpretation, but even so, it's difficult to make any analogy or metaphor of the surreal events, and several other games have made it much simpler. The technical part is also not pleasing and makes the experience far more frustrating and extensive than it should, forcing us to turn on Guided mode just to finish the game. I myself, who love games full of metaphors and which allow us to draw our own conclusions, forced myself to reach the end to witness something unsatisfactory.

The Plane Effect strikes me as a fairly polarizing experience that won’t be for everyone. If you prefer gameplay mechanics over aesthetics and deeper meaning, turn back now; if you love a cinematic, visually arresting journey and don’t mind clunky controls, this might be the surreal commute from another dimension for you. I can’t guarantee The Plane Effect will be your favorite game this year, but I can promise a unique experience that will make you feel all sorts of emotions; whether those emotions are awe or anger is anyone’s guess.

Still, even with its frustrations, there’s something alluring about The Plane Effect. Its art style, its eerie and slightly unsettling soundtrack, its dystopian sci-fi vibe; it all leaves you with questions that you’ll be desperate to get answers for. It’s just a shame that the gameplay you’ll need to endure in an attempt to uncover those answers isn’t as enjoyable as it could be.

The Plane Effect is an art exhibit malformed into a game that could have been a beautiful and provoking experience to passively watch.

Anyhow, I won't forget The Plane Effect in a hurry. As a game it sucks, and I'm being blunt about that because I don't think it matters. To me, a great work of art is one that encourages reflection, has an emotional resonance, and has a strong message and lesson to share. Set against that criteria, The Plane Effect might not be a great game, but it is a superb work of art. That is so much more important to me.