Info about Peaky Blinders: Mastermind:

Official game description:
  
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a puzzle-adventure game, based on the multi-award-winning BBC and Netflix TV show.  
Welcome to Birmingham, during the aftermath of the Great War. Set right before the events of Season One, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind lets you join the Shelby family's criminal gang. Follow the rise of Tommy as he successfully uncovers a sinister plot to put the family out of business, proving himself worthy of being the true mastermind of the Peaky Blinders.  
Mastermind refers to Tommy's ability to plan complex scenarios in his head. As the player, you get to exercise this power by taking control of key members of the Shelby family including Tommy, Arthur, Polly and more. Become the Mastermind as you freely reset and rewind each character's path in order to tune all of their actions for perfect coordination.  
Achieve the highest mission rating by strategically utilising characters and stealth to solve increasingly complex puzzles with optimum timing.  
KEY FEATURES:  
*   **TRUE TO THE TV SHOW**  
    Take control of Tommy, Arthur, Polly, John, Ada and Finn as they navigate through familiar locations including The Garrison Tavern, Charlie Strong’s Yard, Shelby Parlour and more.
*   **THE RISE OF TOMMY**  
    When a Peaky Blinder is implicated in the murder of a Chinese opium dealer, Tommy embarks on a mission to find out the truth, slowly growing into the true Peaky Blinders' Mastermind.
*   **BECOME THE MASTERMIND**  
    Exercise Tommy's power to plan complex scenarios in his head, by taking control of each key member of the Shelby family and perform their actions in parallel.
*   **MANIPULATE TIME**  
    Each character’s actions are automatically logged in a timeline which you can freely reset, fast-forward and rewind, until the plan is perfectly adjusted.
*   **STEALTH AND STRATEGY**  
    Each mission is an increasingly complex puzzle to be solved undetected and on time. Choose the right characters and abilities to coordinate and execute the optimum plan.

Release date: Aug 20, 2020

Categories: Puzzle Solving, Time-based Mechanics, Stealth Gameplay, Character-based Combat, Story-driven Gameplay, Isometric Perspective, Linear Progression, Hidden Object

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The Steam Deck experience for this game is marred by significant performance issues, particularly the unstable 30fps lock, which severely impacts gameplay smoothness. Additionally, there are notable problems with language settings and mixed feedback on controller support. These issues collectively degrade the user experience, requiring some tinkering and adjustments to achieve a playable state.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that users find the game worth purchasing only when it is on sale, suggesting that the full price is considered too high. Multiple reviews mention that the game is not worth its full price and is only recommended when discounted. Additionally, one review explicitly states that the game cannot justify a price higher than $5, and another mentions a discounted price of 64 (likely referring to 64 yuan, approximately $9) as more reasonable compared to the full price of 89 yuan (approximately $12.50).
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 6.0h
  - Story completion: 3.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple direct references to the playtime required for different aspects of the game. The quotes mention the total time to finish the game, ranging from 3 to 7.4 hours, which helps estimate the game completion and story completion times. The session length and endgame metrics are not explicitly mentioned in the evidence, so they are marked as null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game initially intrigues players with its unique mechanics but quickly becomes repetitive and boring, with a slight increase in fun when navigating character timelines.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Navigating the timeline of all characters
  - Time to anchor: 0h 30m
  - Friction: Shallow mechanics; Repetitive puzzles; Linear progression path; Uninspired action
  - Unlock drivers: Navigating character timelines; Recording character actions
  - Conditions: Coordinating character abilities; Puzzle-like scenarios; Stylish period aesthetic
- Player Archetypes:
  - Strategic Puzzle Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys strategic planning and coordination in puzzle games.
    - Playstyle: Plays methodically, focusing on coordination and planning.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: fan of the series; strategy game lover
    - Reference games: Door Kickers; Jagged Alliance; Iron Danger
  - Critical and Value-Conscious Gamer (sale)
    - Motivation: Seeks value for money and engaging content.
    - Playstyle: Plays critically, evaluating games based on content and value.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: value-conscious gamer
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist Achiever (buy)
    - Motivation: Driven by the desire to complete all aspects of the game and unlock all achievements.
    - Playstyle: Plays thoroughly, ensuring all achievements and collectibles are obtained.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: achievement seeker; completionist
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Innovative time manipulation (weight 0.59): The game introduces an original time-manipulation system that is central to its gameplay. This unique mechanic involves time travel and manipulation, adding a layer of complexity and novelty to the puzzles.
- Great music and soundtrack (weight 0.56): The game features a great soundtrack and music that enhance the overall gaming experience. The music is well-composed and fits the game's atmosphere.
- Tactical and fun gameplay (weight 0.39): The gameplay is described as tactical and fun, offering a sympathetically enjoyable experience. The mechanics are engaging and provide a good level of entertainment.
- Beautiful graphics and art (weight 0.34): The game is noted for its beautiful graphics and art style. The visuals are appealing and contribute to the game's overall aesthetic.
- Novel puzzle mechanics (weight 0.32): The game features a unique puzzle element that involves planning each character's move. Each character has a distinct function, making the puzzles interesting and fun. While most puzzles are simple, some offer a good challenge.
- Intelligent level design (weight 0.17): The game features well-designed levels that are intelligent and thoughtfully crafted. The level design enhances the puzzle-solving experience.
- Good story elements (weight 0.16): The game has a decent story that complements the gameplay. The narrative is well-integrated and adds depth to the overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Gameplay is repetitive and average (weight 0.77): Many players found the gameplay to be average and repetitive. The puzzles are simple and the overall experience lacks complexity.
- Game is too short (weight 0.73): A common complaint is that the game is quite short. Players feel that the duration is brief and does not offer enough content.
- Lack of voice acting (weight 0.51): The absence of voice acting makes characters feel soulless and weakens the story. Players miss the immersion that voice acting provides.
- Designed for controllers (weight 0.3): The game seems to be designed with controllers in mind, making it less suitable for keyboard and mouse users. There is also no key rebinding option.
- Stiff animations and poor controls (weight 0.29): Character animations are stiff and lack precision. Controls, especially on keyboard and mouse, are reported as clunky and awkward.
- Price is too high (weight 0.26): Several reviews mention that the game is overpriced for what it offers. Players feel the cost does not match the content or quality.
- Technical limitations (weight 0.24): The game has technical issues such as being locked at 30 FPS and lacking support for ultrawide screens.
- Limited language options (weight 0.23): There are limited language options available, and the translation quality is poor, which affects non-English speaking players.
- Game is delisted from Steam (weight 0.16): Players have noted that the game is no longer available on the Steam store, which has caused some concern and speculation.
- Feels like a mobile game (weight 0.15): The gameplay and overall feel of the game are compared to a mobile game, which some players find disappointing.
- Lacks TV series atmosphere (weight 0.11): The game does not capture the atmosphere of the TV series it is based on, and character personalities differ from the series.

Gameplay feedback:
- Time-rewind and manipulation mechanics (weight 0.66): The game features a core mechanic involving the ability to rewind and manipulate time, allowing players to reverse actions and strategize using time control.
- Puzzle-solving gameplay (weight 0.64): The game is centered around puzzle-solving, often requiring players to use time manipulation and character coordination to overcome challenges.
- Multiple character control (weight 0.52): Players are required to control multiple characters simultaneously, each with unique abilities, to solve puzzles and progress through the game.
- Character synchronization (weight 0.41): A key aspect of the gameplay involves synchronizing the actions of multiple characters, often requiring precise timing and coordination.
- Timeline planning mechanic (weight 0.4): The game includes a timeline mechanic that allows players to plan and execute actions in a programmed sequence, adding a layer of strategic depth.
- Story set in 1920s-1930s Birmingham (weight 0.28): The narrative of the game is set in Birmingham during the interwar period, providing a historical backdrop to the gameplay.
- Isometric perspective (weight 0.12): The game employs an isometric perspective, which is a visual style often used in strategy and puzzle games to provide a clear view of the playing field.
- Linear mission structure (weight 0.12): The game follows a linear mission structure, guiding players through a series of challenges and objectives in a set order.
- Hidden collectibles (weight 0.11): There are hidden collectibles, such as watches, scattered throughout the game, adding an element of exploration and reward for thorough players.
- Gold medal conditions (weight 0.11): Players can achieve gold medals by meeting specific conditions for optimal performance, adding a layer of challenge and replayability.

Performance notes:
- 30 FPS limit issues (weight 0.27): Multiple players reported problems with the game's 30 FPS limit, including instability and stuttering. This seems to be a significant concern affecting the gameplay experience.
- PC performance issues (weight 0.13): Several players have noted that the game does not work well on PC, with performance issues reported in certain levels.
- High PC requirements (weight 0.12): The game has high PC requirements, which may limit accessibility for players with lower-end hardware. However, some players report it runs on less powerful PCs.
- Control glitches and latency (weight 0.12): There are reports of minor glitches and latency issues with the game's controls, affecting the overall gameplay experience.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for puzzle game fans (weight 0.35): The game is highly recommended for fans of puzzle games and those who enjoy the show. It is seen as a good choice for players who like coordination-focused puzzle games.
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.3): Many players suggest purchasing the game during a sale due to its limited content. It is often recommended to wait for discounts before buying.
- Good for casual play (weight 0.07): The game is considered suitable for a weekend play, making it a good option for casual gaming sessions.
- Worth trying out (weight 0.06): Some players suggest that the game is worth trying out, indicating a general interest in experiencing the game.
- Clear recommendation to buy (weight 0.06): There is a clear recommendation from some players to buy the game, suggesting it has merits worth considering.
- Recommends watching the TV series (weight 0.05): A few players recommend watching the TV series instead of or in addition to playing the game.

Other player notes:
- Available on Geforce Now (weight 0.07): The game is accessible via NVIDIA's Geforce Now streaming service, allowing players to stream it on various devices.
- Game's soundtrack mentioned (weight 0.07): Several reviews highlight the game's soundtrack, indicating it is a notable feature.
- Links to external content (weight 0.06): Some reviews include links to a YouTube video and a download link for a patch, suggesting additional resources are available.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.23): Players feel let down by the game's technical issues, lack of voice acting, and poor translation quality. The gameplay is criticized for being repetitive, uninspired, and not living up to the expectations set by the Peaky Blinders series.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.2): Players appreciate the game's unique time manipulation mechanics, smooth performance, and connection to the TV series. The puzzle-solving aspects and enjoyable gameplay loop contribute to a satisfying experience.
- Frustration (weight 0.19): Players are frustrated by the game's control issues, especially with keyboard controls, and the 30 FPS lock causing performance problems. The steep difficulty curve and repetitive gameplay mechanics also contribute to this frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.18): Players enjoy the game's unique time replay mechanic and interesting puzzle mechanics. The fresh and engaging gameplay, along with the strategic elements, provide an enjoyable experience.
- Joy (weight 0.05): Players find joy in the game's enjoyable gameplay, fun puzzle mechanics, and entertaining characters. The beautiful graphics, well-designed levels, and smooth gameplay contribute to a joyful experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Players are excited by the game's unique gameplay mechanics and the opportunity to play as key characters from the series. The engaging gameplay and atmosphere add to the excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.03): Players express disappointment due to the mismatch between the soundtrack, gameplay, and their expectations. The lack of nonlinearity and interesting interactions further contributes to this sentiment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.01): Players feel deceived by the lack of depth and additional content for collectible items, leading to a sense of disappointment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.01): Players feel disappointed due to the game's lack of a sense of achievement and enjoyment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the game's atmosphere and the time element, which contribute to a positive experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the fun aspects of the puzzle game, finding it engaging and enjoyable.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the puzzle elements that utilize time manipulation and cooperative progression, providing a fulfilling experience.}