A beautiful puzzle-platformer using original electromagnetic mechanics. Atmospheric visual storytelling without any dialogue. Short but memorable and genuinely satisfying. One of the higher-quality indie games available on PS3.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player7+
Description
Platforming-puzzle by Rain Games transposing a magnetic-powered child in Russian steampunk. Published by Rain Games, released in December 2015 in Europe, Norway, Turkey and North America. Young orphan child stranded in mysterious Teslagrad tower governed by tyrannical king seeking to understand his Teslamancer heritage, over a hundred Teslagrad tower rooms to explore in interconnected metroidvania, platforming-puzzle gameplay mixing silent exploration and progressive magnetic powers unlocking, over eight magnetic powers to unlock like Magnetic Capes and Blink, over fifteen boss combats requiring power combinations, hand-painted cartoon aesthetic by Rain Games inspired by Tsarist Russia, narration without dialogues entirely gestural, soundtrack by Lars Erik Wahlberg.
Teslagrad review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Hand-drawn settings of steampunk elegance, crisp silhouettes and magnetic light: the game composes a silent tale of great graphic beauty. The care of the line and the hushed atmosphere overflow with poetry. This art direction, refined and polished, stands as a jewel of independent animation.
A magnetic platformer-puzzler from Rain Games, Teslagrad charms with its hand-drawn art direction and silent steampunk world, first indie then boxed by a specialist in small physical runs. This limited release interests collectors of tangible indie editions. Its interest lies in this print scarcity and its singular charm.
Is Teslagrad still worth playing in 2026?
Teslagrad is an indie puzzle-platformer of great elegance, building its gameplay around original electromagnetic mechanics, where you manipulate polarities to propel yourself, fly or solve ingenious puzzles. Its entirely visual narrative, without the slightest dialogue, unfolds an atmospheric story carried by a superb hand-drawn art direction, steeped in a discreet melancholy. Short but of great coherence, the game stays memorable and satisfying from start to finish. For the fan of refined puzzle-platforming or polished indie production, this little gem remains a precious discovery.
