Here is a genuinely clever concept for a puzzle-action game: MotionRec is built entirely around a tape recorder mechanic where you record your movements and play them back to solve puzzles. It’s the kind of inventive, physics-bending idea that always grabs attention.
I’ll be honest: I think this is one of the best game mechanics I’ve ever seen. Not only is it almost certainly unique, it also mirrors the current vogue for retro games to have a rewind/forward option.
Clever!
Coming via publisher PLAYISM and developed by HANDSUM, the game is set to release on Steam on October 27, 2025, and a demo is available right now for you to test out the mechanics!
Guide rec through a devastated world
The game puts you in control of Rec, a civilization-recording robot navigating a devastated world ruled by machines. This is where the core mechanic shines: you use the MotionRec ability to overcome obstacles that would be impossible with standard platforming.
- The Power of Playback: You record the trajectory of your movements—walking, jumping, and interacting with stage gimmicks—and then play that recording back to create a second, automated version of yourself.
- Creative Traversal: This lets you do things like record an upward jump to reach high places you normally couldn’t, or record a movement across a gap where there’s nothing to stand on. You are essentially using a ghost playback to create a pathway or interact with the environment.
- Puzzle-Filled Stages: The game will require creative solutions and hard work to get through the puzzle-filled stages. It sounds like the difficulty will come from precisely timing and executing the recorded movements to interact with the environment correctly.
Nelnal’s new key art captures the charm
To celebrate the upcoming release, the team has showcased new key art illustrated by Nelnal. This is a great get; Nelnal is a character and concept designer known for high-profile work on the Pokémon Trading Card Game and DELTARUNE (guest character design), and is the main character designer for RATATAN.
The new art perfectly captures the game’s atmosphere with its playful and charming art style.
With the demo available today on Steam and a full launch coming on October 27 for only $9.99 USD, MotionRec is definitely worth a look if you enjoy platformers that demand clever, unique puzzle-solving.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
