Open Your Magination
Seller: Semyon Polyakovskiy
Size: 207.3 MB
In-app purchases: Yes
Age Rating: 10+ ( I’d rate this an 8+)
Magination…
I’ve seen many games that have rocked the book game vibe, but none quite like this. This game has an investing story, superlative sound effects and a plethora of interactive tidbits. The story is simple at first glance: the reader’s journey is broken up into chapters; the genius lies in the interactivity of this game: the app encourages you to shake the phone, turn it off, charge it, blow on it, you get the idea.
From a designing standpoint, this game is so damn simple (not to be confused with simplistic), and somehow, the creators got away with pulling off a rather risky idea (considering that not many read books online, and those who do prefer to read them on an online tablet or with a subscription). Each time you flip the page, you trigger an animation that urges you to interact with the phone: as you read “a roll of thunder,” thunder blasts in your ears, as you pick up a “medallion,” the medallion will glow, and directions on a screen are signaled with graphics, making the game multidimensional and pioneering.
This game is best when you go into it blind, so I’ll give a quick synopsis and honest screenshots so you can make up your mind as to whether you like this game or not.
You, the reader, discover Maginary, an interactive book where the previous reader, Michael, got trapped in a magical realm called Anzo. Accompanied by your friend, your objective is to find your way back home.
Cons to Consider
This game is phenomenal, but I do feel it’s very important to include the fact that you do have to pay money for each chapter of the journey. The first two chapters are free, and then the rest of the chapters are all $4.
This game is groundbreaking in its animations, but just keep in mind, the story isn’t so original (it follows a lot of Wizard of Oz or “coming home” games), contrary to what Semyon Polyakovskiy advertises. The best way to experience the game is with headphones, or then you are just left with a book with some animations (still really fun, but given that the story isn’t the best, but I’d say the music is an essential).
If you are someone on the go looking for an alternative to doomscrolling, this game is for you. However, if you love reading books, finding this imagination elsewhere would be far more enjoyable for you.
