It took me a while to vibe with this game at all. It felt very wonky in a way I never entirely shook. I found myself enjoying it more as I began to explore its open vistas. But for every level or area that had a neat idea there were two or three that failed to really grab me.

That said, I can very much see this as being the kind of game that alters your brain chemistry if you play it at the right moment. The way it never explains itself to you, the atmosphere, the mystery - I give it five years before we get a video essay calling this an underrated masterpiece that does good, not viral numbers. And y'know what? I think Automaton Lung deserves to find its cult, even if i wouldn't count myself a member.