To clarify, I wasn’t playing it on a smartphone but on one of those Android based retro game consoles with built in controllers.

Yes, Portal and The Stanley Parable are definitely high bars, but I feel Superliminal actively invites those comparisons through its similarities in structure, tone, and presentation. When a game so closely follows in the footsteps of its influences, I think it’s fair to examine where it succeeds and where it falls short in comparison.

That said, I get that my review may come across as a bit harsh, which is why my final score still places it toward the upper end of my 4-7 range for mid games—I do think it’s a worthwhile experience for fans of puzzlers despite its flaws.