Kitrinos: Inside the Cube

Kitrinos: Inside the Cube is a first-person sci-fi adventure game set in a retro geometrical world reminiscent of classic movies and polygonal games. Players take on the role of Professor Dimarx, an archaeologist who discovers a mysterious Black Cube on the forbidden continent of Meridia. The game features 360° panoramic views in HD, short animated cutscenes, and puzzle elements that require players to take notes and solve intricate mysteries. Developed during Adventure Jam 2018, Kitrinos offers a unique blend of exploration and puzzle-solving in a futuristic setting.

Kitrinos: Inside the Cube: Review

Introduction

In the vast cosmos of indie puzzle-adventure games, Kitrinos: Inside the Cube (2018) shines as a cryptic star—a free, experimental title born from the constraints of a game jam, yet layered with philosophical ambition. Developed in just two weeks by French studio Simon Says: Play! and composer Yazorius during Adventure Jam 2018, this first-person sci-fi odyssey serves as a prequel to the Black Cube series (ASA: A Space Adventure, Myha). Framed as a psychological test of humanity’s worth, Kitrinos melds retro-geometric aesthetics with punishing Myst-like puzzles, inviting players to question whether its minimalist design is a triumph of creativity—or a casualty of its rushed development.

This review argues that Kitrinos is an unpolished but fascinating artifact, bridging nostalgia for ’90s adventure games with modernist themes of existential worth.

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Development History & Context

The Creators’ Vision

Kitrinos emerged from the collaboration of Simon Mesnard (known for ASA: A Space Adventure) and musician Yazorius, who sought to expand the lore of their Black Cube universe. The game was crafted using Clickteam Fusion 2.5, an engine favored for its accessibility but limited in rendering real-time 3D. To circumvent this, the team opted for prerendered 360° panoramic backgrounds, a technical compromise that lent the game its distinctive “polygonal retro” aesthetic, akin to Myst or Zork.

Constraints of Adventure Jam 2018

The two-week development cycle forced deliberate scope reduction:
– Six core puzzles tied to cryptic logic.
– A 1–2 hour runtime, with storytelling confined to diary entries and brief animated cutscenes.
– A reliance on player note-taking, a throwback to pre-in-game-journal puzzle design.

Released on Steam as a free title, Kitrinos entered a crowded indie market dominated by narrative-driven games like Inside (2016). Its niche appeal lay in its uncompromising challenge and ties to an obscure but passionate franchise.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot: A Descent into Madness

Players embody Professor Dimarx, an archaeologist who discovers a mysterious Black Cube on Terra’s forbidden continent of Meridia in 1961. The Cube—a recurring motif in the series—absorbs Dimarx’s consciousness, forcing him to solve six trials to prove humanity’s value to enigmatic microscopic beings. The narrative unfolds through:
– Diary fragments: Dimarx’s increasingly frenzied writings.
– Surreal cutscenes: Glitchy animations depict his psychological unraveling.

Themes: The Price of Hubris

Kitrinos interrogates humanity’s arrogance through:
– Obsession: Dimarx’s disregard for safety mirrors real-world scientific ethics debates.
– Colonialism: The “forbidden continent” of Meridia evokes exploitative exploration.
– Existential Worth: The Cube’s trials frame humanity as “unproven,” critiquing anthropocentrism.

The ending—spoiled subtly in the Black Cube timeline—hints at humanity’s eventual failure, casting Dimarx’s efforts as tragically futile.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loop: Painstaking Puzzles

The game hinges on six multi-layered puzzles, including:
1. Color-Code Ciphers: Matching diary entries to glyphs.
2. Marble Mazes: A physics-based labyrinth requiring precise timing.
3. Symbolic Logic Grids: Demanding pen-and-paper notation.

Flaws & Frustrations

While praised for ingenuity, Kitrinos suffers from:
– Opaque Clues: Some puzzles rely on obscure color associations (problematic for colorblind players).
– Save Glitches: Multiple Steam reviews report progress resets (e.g., the “yellow cube puzzle” bug).
– Static UI: Lack of hotspot highlighting led to pixel-hunting tedium.

Achievements & Replayability

With 10 Steam achievements (e.g., “Secret_02” for uncovering hidden lore), Kitrinos rewards completionists. However, its linear design offers little incentive for replay beyond speedrunning.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Design: Retro-Futuristic Liminality

The game’s three regions—Chasm, Cube Interior, and Obsidian Temple—are rendered in stark geometric shapes and washed-out hues, evoking:
– 1980s Sci-Fi Films: Tron-like grids and minimalist textures.
– Liminal Spaces: Empty halls and echoing chambers amplify isolation.

Soundtrack: Atmospheric Dread

Yazorius’ Original Soundtrack blends:
– Ambient Drones: Unsettling tones during puzzle sequences.
– Piano Minimalism: Sparse melodies in reflective moments.

The free OST DLC includes haunting piano arrangements, elevating the game’s emotional weight.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Response

Kitrinos holds a 78% “Mostly Positive” Steam rating (47 reviews). Praise focused on:
– Atmosphere: “A moody, cerebral trip.”
– Puzzle Complexity: “Feels like unlocking a Rosetta Stone.”

Critics dismissed its short length and technical jank, with one Steam user lamenting, “Frustratingly brilliant when it works.”

Industry Influence

Though obscure, Kitrinos inspired:
– Indie Puzzle Design: Its “trial-by-puzzle” structure echoed in The Witness (2016).
– Niche Preservation: The Black Cube series now thrives on itch.io, championing experimental storytelling.

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Conclusion

Kitrinos: Inside the Cube is a flawed gem—a game jam experiment that transcends its limitations through bold thematic vision and punishingly clever puzzles. While its rushed development manifests in glitches and brevity, it remains a must-play for Myst veterans and Black Cube devotees. As a prequel, it enriches its franchise’s lore; as an indie title, it proves that even constrained creativity can spark existential wonder.

Final Verdict: Kitrinos is not for everyone, but for those willing to endure its trials, it offers a haunting meditation on humanity’s fragile place in the cosmos.