
Manifold is a physics-based action/puzzle game created by artist and designer Joel Esler. Use special orbs that can alter gravity within a small radius to climb your way through dangerous situations. It's a simple idea that's been paired with smart artistic direction to create a game that pleases the senses as well as your sense of fun.
Control the bug-like character with the arrow (or A, D, W) keys and use the mouse to move the pointer. The cursor allows you to create gravity wells by aiming at a target then dragging the mouse to indicate gravity direction. The character will toss a ball that will open the gravitational disturbance when it comes in contact with a wall. You can create as many wells as you have balls to toss and can re-absorb unused areas by moving the cursor over one and tapping the spacebar.
Gravity bubbles don't just push you in a certain direction, they actually shift the gravity within the sphere, allowing you to walk on walls and ceilings inside its borders. This opens up a huge range of possibilities in terms of action and puzzle situations, and Manifold's levels force you to get pretty creative with your gravity-defying skills.
In later levels when you have more gravity orbs to throw around, things get really interesting. You'll find yourself suspended upside-down on a ceiling with saw blades buzzing below, the only thing keeping you alive being the chain of gravity wells you're constantly creating and absorbing. Just enough thrills to keep you glued to the keyboard for the next level.
Manifold has a very clean look thanks to its simple but tasteful design. It's an excellent example of pairing artistic vision with great gameplay to craft an experience that's truly worth your time. Play Manifold.
Cheers to Charles for suggesting this one! =)
Due to popular demand, Joel has released an update to the game with more levels, some of them quite devious in design!
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Comments (may contain spoilers)
I was just coming here to suggest this one.
Funny, I didn't know you could walk on the walls or the ceiling. I beat every level just hurling my little guy through the air.
Posted by: Psychotronic
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September 25, 2007 9:11 PM
urgh, its too short!
Posted by: tedweird | September 25, 2007 9:15 PM
This game is addicting. This game is frustrating. So I guess this game is "addictrating", or something like that. I really like this game. You are evil, Jay, you made me lose my whole night...=P
Posted by: Crocker | September 25, 2007 9:23 PM
Still, should have some more levels.
Posted by: Crocker | September 25, 2007 9:29 PM
A little glitch you can take advantage of, if you choose:
Posted by: Disco Dan
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September 25, 2007 9:44 PM
I think this is an outstanding game!
The idea is elegant and original and in my opinion, the execution in its stylized beauty is in the top 5%.
Posted by: Philipp | September 25, 2007 10:14 PM
I agree with Philipp. This game is a thing of beauty, in gameplay as well as in art style. Very well done.
I especially like the subtle details like the blur filter on the turning saw blades.
Did anyone else think of Rayman with the player character?
Please make more levels, Joel. :)
Posted by: jay
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September 25, 2007 10:18 PM
What a wonderful game. Interesting design and great gameplay. I keep playing it over and over again just because I like it so much.
More levels please!
Posted by: Greg | September 25, 2007 10:39 PM
this is one of the best i have played in a long time...
A+
now just add more levels :D
Posted by: OfficiallyHaphazard
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September 25, 2007 10:52 PM
Is there an ending of any kind? I finished a level where I had to walk up a wall and across the ceiling to avoid a blade, and after I stepped into the transporter, it went right back to the title screen. Did I finish the game, or is that a bug? I don't really recall being "suspended upside-down on a ceiling with saw blades buzzing below, the only thing keeping you alive being the chain of gravity wells you're constantly creating and absorbing," so I'm wondering if I've missed out on something.
Posted by: Neddo | September 25, 2007 11:07 PM
Wow. I wasn't sure what to expect from this game, but I really enjoyed it. Artistry, gameplay, execution--all done very well. I especially like how the background changes color when you die. Er, not that I fell victim to those gears or saw blades very often, of course.
The only thing lacking is, as others have said above, more levels. :)
Posted by: Suho1004
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September 25, 2007 11:09 PM
I dont know, I didnt really care for this game. Got bored with it pretty fast. I didnt get all the way through it, but I didnt feel like playing after the first 5 stages or so.
Posted by: JoeP | September 25, 2007 11:21 PM
Very fun, disappointingly short. I've always loved the idea of tampering with gravity at will. I think a freeform level thing would be really fun for this.
Posted by: PandaKnight
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September 25, 2007 11:59 PM
Gaaah! My mouse control was so screwed up that the game became unplayable.
Not sure what was wrong, but it was just awful.
Posted by: William Shubert | September 26, 2007 12:17 AM
This is a really neat concept. Somehow the silhouette effect makes the death splat all the more gruesome.
I'm terrible at tossing the balls in mid-flight, though. I can't even make it past the level in the screenshot.
Posted by: Lizard
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September 26, 2007 12:45 AM
Solution to the level in the screenshot:
Use the gravity fields to walk up the wall and ceiling. Place them on the left wall, one a little higher than the other, with gravity pointing towards the wall. Walk into the next one, grab the previous one, etc. Keep overlapping them, and slowly make your way around the room clockwise, until you get to the exit.
Unfortunately, that's it for now, that is the last level.
More levels! This is a great game.
Posted by: jmdbcool | September 26, 2007 12:55 AM
there is only one downfall to this game
Posted by: me | September 26, 2007 2:43 AM
I'm not sure the game is too short.
I mean sure, you want to play more. I do too. But by the end of the levels it has the game has used all the simple, elegant level ideas. Adding a dozen more levels where you throw the little dude around in hard-to-execute ways and pick up anomalies as you're flying through the air... I'm not sure that would add much and the game would lose some of its elegance and charm.
Posted by: Dom | September 26, 2007 5:24 AM
This is an awesome game, but it's way too short. I can see a lot of different things that can be done with the concept. For example, using the gravity orbs to move other objects around?
In fact, gravity would be an interesting theme for a future JiG competition, hint hint?
Posted by: FhnuZoag | September 26, 2007 8:49 AM
I think I'd like to see a LEVEL EDITOR for this game!
Posted by: James D | September 26, 2007 9:06 AM
Very cool idea.
Really fun.
WAY too short!
More levels please!
Posted by: Ezrabbit | September 26, 2007 9:35 AM
If this game didn't have the custom cursor rendering it unplayable, I'm sure I would have loved it.
Posted by: Crab | September 26, 2007 12:23 PM
way cool came...didn’t realize I started playing...thought it was a long tutorial...lol...kind ok reminds me of that LIMBO vaporware game.
http://www.limbogame.org/
Posted by: tresser | September 26, 2007 1:13 PM
How to 'seed'* your gravity balls:
*is there an other word available? I feel dirty...
Posted by: Ced | September 26, 2007 2:20 PM
Amazing game, however as many people have said it is far too short.
Posted by: Robi | September 26, 2007 2:43 PM
Needs a level editor
and perhaps a multiplayer version
you could use the gravity balls to hinder your opponets
Posted by: atomic1fire
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September 26, 2007 4:53 PM
this guy throws horribly. trying to get him to throw in the direction that he is facing and where the mouse is pointing seems to be the hardest part of the puzzle.
Posted by: jared | September 26, 2007 4:59 PM
More than half the time I can't even get the guy to throw. It keeps popping up where he is, and consequently, I can't get past a level.
I love the game though. It is quite elegant, as other have said. I especially love the gravity effect when inside the bubble. The boyancy is quite realistic. Cheers!
Posted by: Pinky | September 26, 2007 5:39 PM
Hey guys
Hoping someone can help me out. I'm stuck on level 10 (that's 10 counting the two intro training levels) with the saw on the wall to the right. I'm guessing you have to walk up the left wall and then over the ceiling. My only problem is that when I try to throw a gravity seed thing at the ceiling, the cursor moves out of the window before the arrow is long enough for ir to count as a throw. Basically, I'll left click when the cursor is right at the ceiling, then I move the mouse up, and once the arrow is established, he won't throw. I hope I'm describing this well. Am I using the right method to get out of this level? Is the problem I'm describing just part of the game? I'm playing in IE 7, for what it's worth.
Thanks
Posted by: Adam | September 27, 2007 11:39 AM
Had the same thing happen as Neddo... on the level with a cliff on the right which has a gear, with two balls, you walk up the left and across the ceiling, and when you hit the exit there's no message-- just straight to the title screen. Are we missing something?
Posted by: Jamus | September 27, 2007 12:39 PM
He throws in the direction of the initial click. ...if that helps.
Neat twist for those that already beat it. Try it again without the "jump" [w] key. :)
Posted by: tfrog | September 27, 2007 12:45 PM
Count my vote for more levels!
Posted by: Beerman58 | September 27, 2007 3:14 PM
I beat it without realizing you could collect the anomalies you've already thrown. The last one was tricky, but it's definitely possible without collecting any :).
And if you can't figure it out:
Posted by: fooman | September 27, 2007 3:25 PM
Also, I agree with Dom that it's not necessarily too short as it is. However, if a few more details were added like one use only anomalies and a couple other things I haven't thought of, it could be made a lot longer but still engaging.
Posted by: fooman | September 27, 2007 3:28 PM
Wow, this game is really fun xD.
Posted by: Fummy | September 27, 2007 9:00 PM
i cant pass level 3
Posted by: Tommy | September 29, 2007 2:16 AM
nice game im looking forward to a player made lvl thng or a #2 mabey with like a story line or sommat u know like defete this guy block his shots backat him so on
Posted by: taz | October 1, 2007 11:51 PM
This game is nice, it need more levels tho
Posted by: g7parsh | October 2, 2007 7:20 PM
Beautiful designed game, but i have to agree with y'all: too few levels!
anyway, nice gameplay.
Posted by: AnyGivenSunday | October 10, 2007 8:12 AM
Note the new update to this game, Fold.
Posted by: Lars | October 17, 2007 2:38 PM
I think its an awesome game and it may be a little to short but the gameplays really cool and I agree with some of you other guys it would be nice to hane a level editor, but a two player? how you gonna have two mice?
:-/
Posted by: el timmy | October 17, 2007 4:15 PM
What is the difference between a fish and a gold chain?
Posted by: ogfF | October 19, 2007 8:18 PM
put a walkthrough please!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 13, 2007 9:33 PM