Mashina feels intentionally small in scope, encouraging you to ease back and fully absorb the environment. Fortunately, this is truly a world worth exploring! The art design is friendly, unusual, and almost surreal in the most charming way.

Mashina has a handcrafted, retro look that creates natural imperfections, which just feel cozy. There’s a childlike sense of wonder, undefined nostalgia, and wholesomeness that I think many fans of the genre will enjoy.

The characters probably play the largest role in the game. Or, at least, they did to me. You’ll mostly carry out personal favors for them. I think these simple, good-natured objectives give the gameplay a constant positivity!

Repairing broken machines, building bridges, and helping others is a satisfying way to make the most of this genre.

And, you can always improve your own equipment and skills. That includes your drill, jetpack, and storage space. Such upgrades make drilling less of a chore as the story unfolds into deeper territory.

Again, Mashina being smaller in scope, upgrades also mean that the streamlined gameplay can run shorter. It also won’t offer too much variety, so you’ll need to be open to the basic premise.

I found the oddball humor, performances, and dialogue reminiscent of some beloved stop-motion classics like Wallace and Gromit. The voice actors offer a lot of personality, and even some of Mashina’s strangeness.

The music also builds a lot of the atmosphere! I found it meditative, but also a bit unnerving at times, in a Lewis Carroll sort of way. But it’s definitely creative, and there are FM Stations to unlock that can totally change the vibe.

Final Thoughts

Mashina is an adorable and offbeat experience, with an outstanding and inviting stop-motion world. While the gameplay is simple and short, this serves the overall point of the game. It is idiosyncratic, comfortable, and determined to make you feel happy and vaguely nostalgic. Explore, connect, rebuild, and tune out in this charming winner.

Score: 8.5/10