The House of Tesla

The House of Tesla is a puzzle-adventure game that has received mixed reviews from players. Many appreciate the game's beautiful graphics and detailed environments, which successfully evoke the historical period and Tesla's world. The storyline attempts to weave mystery and intrigue around Tesla's life, though some players find it confusing or underdeveloped. The gameplay centers on solving electrical and mechanical puzzles, introducing some unique mechanics. However, a significant portion of the player base expresses frustration with the puzzle design, describing them as overly convoluted, illogical, or tedious. The hint system is often criticized for being unhelpful or too obscure, leading some to rely on external walkthroughs. Additionally, lengthy animations and some awkward controls contribute to a less fluid experience. Despite these issues, dedicated puzzle enthusiasts find enjoyment and challenge in the game, and the game offers substantial content relative to its price point. Overall, it is seen as a less polished successor to Blue Brain Games' previous titles like the House of Da Vinci series.

Highlights

Players praise the graphics and world design for their historical accuracy and immersive quality. The game introduces unique puzzle mechanics involving electrical components, which some find intellectually stimulating. The storyline, while divisive, has an engaging twist ending that intrigues certain players. The game provides a lengthy playtime with many puzzles, offering good value for those who enjoy extended puzzle-solving sessions. Additionally, the sound design and animations receive positive mentions for enhancing the atmosphere.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the puzzle design, which many find illogical, obscure, or tedious, often requiring guesswork or brute force rather than clear reasoning. The hint system is frequently described as unhelpful or confusing, failing to guide players effectively. Players also report frustrating controls and awkward inventory management that interrupt gameplay flow. Lengthy and repetitive animations make restarting puzzles time-consuming. The story is viewed by some as disjointed and underdeveloped, with some narrative elements feeling forced or unrelated to Tesla's real life. Technical issues like save game problems and bugs were mentioned, indicating a lack of polish.