When comparing FOTONICA vs Machinarium, the Slant community recommends Machinarium for most people. In the question“What are the best Android games without in-app purchases/paywalls?” Machinarium is ranked 17th while FOTONICA is ranked 86th. The most important reason people chose Machinarium is:
The player is forced to move their character across the map in order to find objects of interest. This, coupled with the great sound design and soundtrack which also do their part in giving cues as to where the objects are and if the player is close, really help you immerse into the atmosphere and art style of Machinarium.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Unique vector graphics style give an original look while still staying easily readable
The levels as well as the player is all made up of wireframe vector graphics, which not only give a pretty original look to the game itself but allows for a graphical view that is non distracting to the task at hand.
Pro Endless gameplay mode allows for a classic endless runner feel
There are three additional endless stages (on top of the regular stages that are not randomly generated), for classic endless runner gameplay. The three stages are randomly generated making for a new experience each playthrough.
Pro Conveniently switches orientation, making for a game easily played in portrait or landscape
Users can play the game in portrait or landscape, depending on which suits their needs and device better.
Pro Earning achievements exceedingly extends the traditional staged gameplay
Players can earn Google Play Achievements while playing the game, which gives incentive to complete tasks, stretching out the gameplay of the traditional staged levels further than a normal playthrough.
Pro 2 players can easily play on a single devices screen
Two players can play on a single device with each playing on one end of the screen. Each player competes to finish the stage first.
Pro Immersive mode allows for fullscreen gameplay on stock Android devices
FOTONICA uses immersive mode to hide the navigation and notification bar on Android 4.4+ while playing the game, which allows it to take up the whole screen.
Pro The gameplay is perfectly interwoven with the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of the game
The player is forced to move their character across the map in order to find objects of interest. This, coupled with the great sound design and soundtrack which also do their part in giving cues as to where the objects are and if the player is close, really help you immerse into the atmosphere and art style of Machinarium.
Pro Beautiful art style
Machimariums hand drawn graphics exude a very steam punk style that definitely has a very unique look by being all hand drawn.
Pro Challenging puzzles
The puzzles are quite challenging to the point of frustration but in the end give a sense of immense reward when figured out.
Pro Interesting protagonist
The main character and the one controlled by the player is just a normal, average, everyday robot. He doesn't have any special powers or abilities other than being able to slightly extend his midriff in order to reach high ledges or making his body shorter. He's pretty much an ordinary robot thrust into an extraordinary situation.
Pro Built-in hint system
For those that do find some of the puzzles too challenging there is an inbuilt hint system shown through "thought bubbles" on top of the playable character.
Every level has its own hint when pressed and it's usually a hint on where to go or what kind of object you need. Although it's advised not to rely on the hint system too much since it takes away from the experience of actually enjoying the game.
Pro The well-designed gameplay mechanics avoid making the game boring to the player
Unlike most point-and-click games, objects of interest in Machinarium light up only when the main character is close to them; this completely changes the way the game is played. In point-and-click games where this is not the case, the gameplay is usually reduced to aimlessly flailing the cursor around waiting for something to light up.
Machinarium on the other hand completely avoids this, keeping levels interesting and the player interested to the game.
Cons
Con No cloud saves
There is no built in cloud save, meaning users cannot pick up where they left off on a different device.
Con Items may be difficult to find due to similar colors
At points in the game there are needed items that blend in too well with their surrounding making it quite difficult to actually see them.