Amanita Design teases the Orwell-inspired Phonopolis with a surprisingly funny demo about messing with people, running from the cops, and fighting fascism even when you don't really want to
PC Gamer
by Andy Chalk February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Amanita Design, known for their innovative and creative games like *Botanicula* and *Samorost*, has unveiled a new point-and-click adventure titled *Phonopolis*. Inspired by the works of Karel Čapek and George Orwell, the game explores themes of social manipulation and individualism. The story follows Felix, a garbage collector living under an authoritarian regime ruled by a "Leader" who controls the population through omnipresent loudspeakers. After discovering a headset that blocks out the Leader's messages, Felix is reluctantly drawn into a resistance movement to prevent the arrival of the Absolute Tone, which would erase citizens' free will.
The demo for *Phonopolis* captures the essence of Amanita Design's signature style—playful, lighthearted, yet subtly dark. Puzzles in the demo involve creative and absurd scenarios, such as using a broken smokestack and bad plumbing to sneak into a meeting with dissidents. Despite its comedic tone, the game delves into deeper themes of resistance and the dangers of authoritarianism. The interplay between humor and underlying seriousness adds emotional weight, particularly when regime thugs destroy cultural artifacts from a better time.
*Phonopolis* features Amanita Design's hallmark elements: vibrant visuals, a memorable soundtrack by Tomáš Dvořák (Flo
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/25/2026