The Ingenious Machine is a single-player, physics-driven puzzle game for Windows and MacOS, based on the mobile title of the same name.
The player is presented with a series of light bulbs, and occasionally some obstacles. The goal of each level is to activate the light bulbs by creating an elaborate machine out of a pre-defined array of gadgets. The gadgets range from sensible items (such as fans, magnets and conveyor belts) to more extreme items (such as flame-throwers, dynamite and lasers).
For each level, points are awarded for creativity - The more elaborate your machine, the higher your score. However, your score is halved with each failed attempt at constructing a working machine, making this game the ultimate trade-off between creativity and practicality.
In terms of design, there are some clear parallels between this and similar titles such as The Incredible Machine, Amazing Alex, Crazy Machines, et al. However, The Ingenious Machine aims to stand out by offering a more free-form approach to gameplay. For example, while each level is presented in ascending order of difficulty, they can all be solved in multiple ways. The player has access to all of the gadgets at all times, and they are not limited by how many they can place (there's something strangely satisfying about filling the entire screen with dynamite!). The Ingenious Machine is less about solving the puzzle, and more about solving the puzzle in the most inventive way possible.
The game is all about user-generated content and creative problem-solving. And also dynamite.
