Even though it got buried under a pile of triple-A holiday releases, I finally started playing Machinarium last weekend and I'm totally loving it. It's a really neat point-and-click adventure with lovable robots and clever puzzles, and currently, it's a download-only PC and Mac title. However, in the UK, Machinarium will be getting a retail release, which is coming in March 2010. Now European gamers with a working computer will have no reason not to pick up this beautiful game.

Even though it's available for download in North America, I'm hoping Machinarium also gets a retail release in the states, because it would definitely help garner more attention for the overlooked gem. Can I mention once again how happy I am that the point-and-click adventure genre is making a huge comeback? I mean, it wasn't that long ago that this category was considered pretty much dead in the industry, and quality point-and-clickers were few and far between. Stay tuned for a full review of Machinarium later this week if you want more details. In the meantime, check out the press release below.

Independent games publishers Mamba Games continue to add to their catalogue for next year by signing Machinarium, the intriguingly beautiful game designed by Amanita Design.
The game will be released on PC format across the UK and Europe in March 2010.

Machinarium has already had outstanding reviews in the gaming press Euro Gamer rated it 8 / 10 -“Every screen is a new delight, twisted cityscapes and quasi-industrial interiors contrasting beautifully with geriatric robots and the bumbling malcontents whose bullying mischief provide the necessary antagonism to sedately shuffle the story along” Euro gamer August 2009.

Other gaming press titles have also favored the game:

Games TM 90%
Game Critics - 90%
PC Format - 88%
IGN - 81%
Adventure Gamers 90%

The PC game also has over 20 gaming and design awards to its name, including the Excellence award for Visual Art won at the Independent games festival this year. As mentioned reviews pre release has been phenomenal and the games website www.machinarium.net has also been favoured with awards – winning a cutting edge design award for 2009.

About Machinarium

Machinarium is a point-and-click adventure in which gamers take on the role of a robot who has been exiled to the scrap heap. Players must use logic, collect important items, and solve environmental puzzles to get the robot back into the grand city of Machinarium so he can rescue his girlfriend, save the head of the city, and defeat the bad robots from the Black Cap Brotherhood. Dialog is expressed via gestures and cartoon thought bubbles the hand-drawn visuals of Machinarium are what earned the game the "Excellence in Visual Art" award.

Jason Codd of Mamba Games loves the title, the characters and the story. He also has high hopes for the game based on the initial reviews it has had.

“The game is outstandingly beautiful and will appeal to varied audience both young and old. I’m really pleased to have this title in our catalogue as it adds another dimension and area for Mamba to expand into”.

The game will be made available across Europe and the UK and of course gaming fans can pre order the game online at: www.mamba-games.co.uk release date: 5th March 2010.

The game will be available to download but the retail version of the game will include added extras:

Additional CD with the games music and 5 additional bonus sound tracks
A booklet with lots of never seen before concept art
A3 Poster
A printed walkthrough