Pneuma: Breath of Life

There’s a fine line in video games that separates the titles that are clever from those that only appear to be on the surface. While this isn’t something that can be seen within all games, it becomes noticeable in ones that deal with philosophy and the depth of understanding. Pneuma: Breath of Life tends to lean on the genuine, clever side of this spectrum because it has a pointed, detailed story that it wants to tell without muddying the waters too much. A puzzle game similar to the likes of The Talos Principle, both in gameplay and the trope of blurring the definitions of reality, Pneuma: Breath of Life has an intriguing story to tell with a polished environment to match.

Bend Reality to Your Will

So that title might be taking it a bit far, but the premise of this Puzzle game is a bit mystifying if we ignore the mechanics for a moment.

You play as ‘Pneuma,’ a supposed god in a world that is filled with vibrant marble architecture, heavily reminiscent of the great sights of Athens. The interesting part is that the entire story is narrated by your character. This is no back and forth between the protagonist and a ‘higher being’ that has trapped them in this world.

Pneuma is not a silent protagonist that lets you directly fill their shoes and craft your own theories (like The Talos Principle). What truly makes the story exceptional to me is that this experience is simultaneously personal and detached. Pneuma is an interesting character that has a lot more to deliver than what meets the eye. I fully understand not everyone may like the commentary that Pneuma provides, considering it begins to delve heavily into metaphysical discussions, but I’m a big fan of metaphysics and metatheatrical elements in media.

The primary shortcoming of this game is that it is relatively short for the price ($19.99 USD), which is fair given that the game lasts less than 3.5 hours. However, I’d argue that the tightness of the narrative makes up for the brevity – its much better to have a short, sweet story that leaves you wanting more than to be dragging through a game once its already spent your interest.

Solve the Puzzles, Find Your Purpose

Pneuma: Breath of Life has gameplay that is nothing too dynamic, but still uses its assets to their full potential. A majority of the puzzles are exercises in changing your perspective and really thinking outside the box. Due to these key aspects, the recent title Superliminal reminded me of this game because the only limit you have (other than the core mechanics of the game, of course) is that of your imagination. That being said, Pneuma is a bit less creative in some senses because there is a definite right way to solve each puzzle.

Solving each puzzle is still euphoric, but the surrounding environment is also something to applaud. The graphics in Pneuma are incredibly detailed and exhibit how much care went into the development of the landscape – it essentially equals that of the writing.

Though there isn’t much dynamic gameplay, each level, all of Pneuma’s thoughts, and the sense that something isn’t quite right all create a fascinating atmosphere and experience.

Bottom Line

Despite being incredibly short for the price and perhaps trying to hard to be deep at certain points, Pneuma: Breath of Life is a fantastic, visceral experience that is carefully detailed, written, and designed.

Pros

• Unique story/setting
• Graphics are stunning
• Always a place in my heart for metatheatre/physics

Cons

• Somewhat short for the price
• Gameplay generally static, though clever
• A lot of jargon in dialogue

I love games that force you to think differently. Whether it's carefully placing portals (and assuming cakes are a lie) or shifting perspectives to solve puzzles, there's a uniquely rewarding feeling in overcoming challenges that defy conventional logic. Pneuma: Breath of Life is all about that feeling.

This philosophical journey puts you in the role of Pneuma, a self-aware deity whose powers of observation literally shape the world around him. As you progress through gorgeously rendered environments, you'll find yourself manipulating objects and solving puzzles simply by observing them, creating an experience that feels both magical and methodical.

Sure, the game has a lot of indie monologues – but trust me, it works perfectly well here. It never gets overly philosophical, like Myst, but still manages to find a good balance between being an artsy indie project and a worthy successor to games like The Talos Principle.

Mind Over Matter

The puzzle mechanics in Pneuma are a breath of fresh air in the genre. Unlike The Talos Principle's more technology-focused challenges, Pneuma's puzzles revolve entirely around perception and observation. Think of Superliminal without the Portal vibes.

You'll find yourself staring at objects to make them move, looking away to trigger changes, or using your line of sight to manipulate the environment in clever ways. These mechanics feel fresh and innovative, though they can occasionally be finicky when precise viewing angles are required.

Still, the developers made sure the game never felt too challenging, even in later levels. That's both a blessing and a curse for those wanting a bit more of a challenge from this game.

A World of Wonders

Unreal Engine 4 continues to look pretty, even if it's starting to show its age in some cases. Pneuma presents a fantastic world worth exploring, with classical architecture that seems to materialize from thin air, bathed in golden light, and adorned with intricate details.

The environmental design serves both form and function, with each area clearly telegraphing its puzzles while maintaining its aesthetic beauty. One thing to note though is that I experienced some framerate dips in all graphics settings. Might have been something to do with my rig, although this is the only game with these issues. Could be related to UE4's notoriously bad texture streaming problems.

Philosophical Foundations

The narrative layer of Pneuma sets it apart from many of its puzzle game contemporaries. While games like Myst built their stories primarily through environmental storytelling, Pneuma opts for a more direct approach through its protagonist's constant commentary.

The writing walks a fine line between humor and philosophy, exploring themes of consciousness, reality, and existence while maintaining a lighthearted tone through Pneuma's often amusing self-aggrandizement. It never felt as heavy-handed as something like Dear Esther.

This approach to storytelling might not appeal to everyone – some players may find the constant narration distracting from the puzzle-solving experience. However, those who engage with the philosophical aspects will find a thought-provoking story that raises interesting questions about consciousness and reality, even if it doesn't always provide satisfying answers.

Pros

• Innovative perception-based puzzle mechanics
• Stunning visuals
• Engaging blend of humor and philosophy

Cons

• Some puzzles can feel obtuse or rely too heavily on precise viewing angles
• Limited environments can feel repetitive
• Philosophical narrative might be too heavy-handed for some players