When comparing Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine vs Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, the Slant community recommends Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine for most people. In the question“What are the best games on Linux?” Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine is ranked 54th while Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs is ranked 129th. The most important reason people chose Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine is:
Monaco implements a line-of-sight system that many top-down games forgo. By taking advantage of this, the player does not know what awaits around the corner, which helps keep the tension and excitement levels of the game high.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Concealing line-of-sight system that keeps the player guessing what's next
Monaco implements a line-of-sight system that many top-down games forgo. By taking advantage of this, the player does not know what awaits around the corner, which helps keep the tension and excitement levels of the game high.
Pro Fun chaotic mix of early level cooperation that requires late game competition to win
Co-op mode often descends into chaotic fun as people try to work together to complete the objectives while still competing against one another to steal the most money and get the highest score. This creates a scenario where you will need to cooperate with your team of players, but still maintain enough wherewithal in order to steal more than anyone else, while they are doing the same. It is definitely a mix of gameplay that is at odds with itself, which can create some pretty fun scenarios where you can stab your teammates in the back.
Pro Minimalistic art style that you would not think is able to capture the French Riviera setting, but does so perfectly
The minimalist art style is strikingly beautiful. The glowing French Rivera is represented in vibrant pixels that evoke a feeling of the lights and energy one would expect of such a location.
Pro Refreshing co-op that actually requires everyone to work together, no single person can carry the group
Unlike many games where the strongest players can carry the group along, Monaco requires the participation of every player in order to succeed – giving everyone a chance to feel like the hero.
Pro The dynamic soundtrack morphs to fit each scenario of the game perfectly
The soundtrack by Grammy-nominated composer Austin Wintory is a jazz-themed composition that adapts to the situation you’re in – remaining subtle while you’re unnoticed and kicking into high gear when you’re wreaking havoc.
Pro No need for third party VoIP clients, it is built in
A built-in VoIP system lets you speak to your teammates in real time. This is a great feature for a game that requires such excellent teamwork and that relies on the social aspect for so much of the fun.
Pro Very tense gameplay
Sneaking through dark levels and avoiding the prowling entities that lurk within creates some truly terrifying moments. There is no combat in this game, so fighting back isn't an option. As a result, carefully avoiding monsters, hiding from them, or even running away if the opportunity presents itself creates some very tense gameplay where you'll always be on a high alert. You never know when you're going to round a corner or open a door and come face to face with a monstrosity.
Pro Fantastic level design
Often times featuring strange architecture, flickering lights, twisting and turning passages, and dark hallways, the overall level design is fantastic. Although most levels are rather linear, the attention to detail is immense. The Victorian-era mansion looks its part, the workshops and factories look like bustling industrial centers, and the more surreal areas really inspire a sense of wonder with their strange machinery. A lot of care went into molding a terrifying, yet realistic environment and the visually appealing levels are easily one of the game's biggest high points.
Pro Scary sound design creates a true horror atmosphere
The audio design is excellent and scary, featuring plenty of disembodied voices, footsteps in dark hallways, and things scratching or pounding on doors. Hearing things thud and bump in the dark when you're trying to sneak around unseen creates a lot of scares, especially when you hear something right next to you scurry past. The consistent use of strange noises and ambient sound is brilliant, used in all the right places, and creates a truly frightening atmosphere.
Pro Mysterious and engaging story
The game opens with the protagonist Oswald Mandus, a wealthy industrialist, waking up in his mansion after a long sickness. Awoken by the voices of his two children calling out for him, Mandus sets out to find them. As the story begins, we quickly learn that he was in Mexico where a great tragedy struck and this is when he first fell ill.
The story then progresses from there, often veering into strange and surreal themes where you may question what is real and what is not. It is told in such a way that information is slowly reaveled over time through monologues, memories, and in-game notes. The story is great at teasing its biggest mysteries and conveying a strong desire to push forward and learn more.
Cons
Con Art style can lead to confusion
In a frantic game like Monaco, the distinction between a door and a light switch can be a life-or-death mistake. The minimalist design can be very pretty, but may also be very irritating in situations where time is short.
Con Requires all players to be good enough
Monaco is not a very good game for adults and children to play together. It can be frustrating when the players' skill levels are too mismatched.
Con Some balancing issues
Some sections feature overpowered enemies that feel more like a cheap trick than a challenge. These parts are few, but they are particularly frustrating.
Con Very linear
The first few levels are nice and somewhat open, as they allow for a little exploration, but then things start to feel extremely linear. The latter levels are extremely linear point A to point B affairs. There is a bit of sidetracking at times if you're going for all the collectibles, but there's rarely ever any need to stray off the path the game sets out for you.
Con There never seems like there's any urgency
The original Amnesia had an insanity system where you couldn't be in the dark too long, and had you scavenging for tinderboxes and lantern oil to stay sane. There was always the constant urgency of finding a light source. A Machine for Pigs completely removed this mechanic and, as a result, much of the tension of the original game is gone. You can take your time and casually stroll through dark areas without a care in the world.
Con No inventory results in easy and cumbersome puzzles
There is no inventory system at all, so whenever you need to use an object to complete a puzzle, you must manually carry it around the level and use it where needed. Not only is this highly inconvenient, but due to this limitation, puzzles are often extremely easy as they only involve one object. For the rare puzzle that involves several items, you will need to carry them one by one.
Con The last hour of the game drags on
The ending of the game is repetitive and filled with story padding.