The fourth week of May saw a flurry of new arrivals on Steam. While many players flocked to the classic racer 'Forza Horizon 6' and the Disco Elysium developers' new title 'Zero Paradise: Four Dead Spies' landed with 'Mixed' reviews, our hidden gem of the week is 'Phonopolis', released on the 20th.

Phonopolis is the latest offering from Amanita Design, a studio well-known for its quirky puzzle games. The team behind 'Machinarium', 'Samorost', 'Botanicula', and 'Pilgrims' has carved out a niche with distinct art styles and that signature indie charm. Out of their 10 titles on Steam, half have been received with 'Very Positive' ratings, while the other half are sitting at 'Overwhelmingly Positive'—a track record that speaks for itself.

True to form, Phonopolis leans heavily into a unique world and eye-catching aesthetics. The title combines 'Phono' (sound/voice) with 'Polis' (city), literally translating to the 'City of Sound'. At first glance, it feels like a utopian dream filled with classical melodies and harmony.

But don't be fooled; the reality is rather chilly. The city of Phonopolis is a dystopia shackled by the 'Megaphone'. Life for the inhabitants is dictated by a dictator whose voice blares from every corner. Every citizen blindly follows these instructions to achieve the leader's grand ambition: the completion of an 'Absolute Note' device designed to perfectly enslave their lives.

Just as the Absolute Note nears completion, Felix, a young street sweeper, stumbles into the underground while pushing a trash cart under the Megaphone's command. There, he discovers a forbidden classical theatre and procures a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Once equipped, the propaganda fades, and Felix—finally free from the Megaphone's influence—realizes the danger of the Absolute Note and embarks on a grand adventure to stop it.

The game blends point-and-click adventure with clever puzzle mechanics. You click around to guide Felix through the world. Interacting with posters and megaphones scattered across the map is key; clicking a megaphone might startle nearby workers, leading to slapstick comedy as they collide or fumble their duties. You can even read propaganda posters, with Felix offering his own cheeky commentary.

Unlike typical point-and-click adventures where you just gather items to progress, Phonopolis integrates puzzles into every step of the journey. For instance, if you receive a letter asking you to head to an apartment, reaching the fifth floor becomes a puzzle in itself. You'll need to outsmart a grumpy caretaker using buttons and levers, or find ways to divert an angry lady busy mopping the floors.

These puzzles harmonize perfectly with the game’s signature 'cardboard art' style. The mechanics mimic cardboard toys—buttons, levers, and pull-tabs are built right into the environment. In the apartment puzzle, the building is essentially modular, allowing you to slide floors left or right to create a zigzagging structure. You’ll be constantly pushing, pulling, rotating, and peeling back layers of paper to uncover the path forward.

Beyond the inventive puzzles, the art direction is genuinely captivating. Phonopolis was crafted by combining actual cardboard sets with stop-motion and CG techniques. The character models and building designs draw inspiration from avant-garde art movements like constructivism and futurism. Even the dictator's statue carries a distinct flair reminiscent of a Picasso piece.

Phonopolis currently holds a 'Very Positive (94% positive)' rating on Steam. Fans are praising its "stubborn and intricate philosophy typical of Amanita," calling it a "satirical work that depicts dystopia through puppetry and comedy," and noting how "the avant-garde artistic sensibility feels tangible at your fingertips." A few players have noted that the playtime is a bit short relative to the 25,000 won price tag.