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About Behind the Curtain
Behind the Curtain is a puzzle game developed by Enigma Forge that dropped on PC in October 2025. You play as an alchemist in a purgatory-like realm, tasked with judging flawed transmutations by analyzing ingredients and processes. The game leans into minimalist visuals and abstract mechanics, framing alchemy as a rigid system of rules. It’s a single-player experience focused on problem-solving, where each decision affects outcomes in a deterministic world. Think of it as a cerebral mystery wrapped in occult aesthetics. The vibe is quiet, analytical, and a bit eerie. Best for players who enjoy figuring out systems over action or narrative-driven stories.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around inspecting transmutation attempts. You zoom into alchemical diagrams, identify imbalances in elements like fire or earth, and assign penalties or approvals based on a strict rulebook. Each session feels like a timed quiz, you have to cross-reference symbols, track ingredient weights, and memorize shifting constraints. The UI is clean but dense, with tooltips and logs to track progress. Later levels introduce layered puzzles where one mistake cascades into failures. Controls are keyboard/mouse only, with precise click-and-drag mechanics. The pace is slow, methodical, and rewards attention to detail. No respawns, just a permanent ledger of your judgments.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 8.7/10, with 42% completing the full 12-hour campaign. Average playtime clocks in at 7.2 hours, and 68% of players list "curious" as their primary mood, while 31% call it "methodical." The game has 50 achievements, 12 of which require 100% purity in early chapters. Critics praise its "delicate balance between logic and mysticism" (The Puzzle Report) but note the steep learning curve. Some players gripe about opaque feedback, "figuring out why a judgment failed feels like solving a riddle with missing pieces" (user review). Achievement completion rates hover around 63%, with "Purge the Impure" being the most skipped.
PlayPile's Take
Behind the Curtain is a niche pick for logic puzzle fans willing to grind through its idiosyncrasies. Priced at $29.99, it offers decent value for the brainpower it demands, though the 12-hour runtime feels light for the cost. The ruleset is clever but punishingly rigid, which could frustrate casual players. If you thrive in systems that reward memorization and precision, this is your cup of alchemical tea. Skip it if you prefer forgiving puzzles or dynamic narratives. The 50 achievements add replayability, but don’t expect a cakewalk. Worth a shot if you’ve got patience and a love for esoteric mechanics.
Game Modes
Single player
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