finalist in GameStop's Indie Game Challenge, and in the Make Something Unreal competition (run by Epic Games), the game won 1st for Best Level for a Mod in Phase 4, 3rd for Best non-FPS Mod in Phase 4, and 5th place overall in the grand finals. During the 2011 Independent Games Festival, the game wound up as a finalist for the Nuovo Award, which recognises "abstract, short-form, and unconventional game development". Also in 2011, the game made it into the PAX 10 and finished as a finalist in the IndieCade festival. In 2012, Antichamber took home the Technical Excellence Award at the Independent Games Festival. Post-release The PC version received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Most reviewers praised the level design and puzzles in the game. Game Informer wrote that "I rarely ever felt stuck or frustrated by a lack of progress – a testament to Antichambers pacing and design", and GameTrailers said, "The true star of Antichamber is its level design." PC Gamer described the game as hosting "moments of transcendent beauty and vignettes that engage your brain on a level few games attempt" and IGN called the puzzles "expertly crafted and wonderfully inventive challenges."National Post gave it a score of nine out of ten, saying, "In its own way, Antichamber serves as an antithesis to modern day video game design. Just to experience solving a puzzle by thinking outside of the box makes Antichamber a must play for anyone looking to be challenged." Digital Spy gave it four stars out of five, saying, "The main slight against Antichamber is its personality, or lack of. It's visually interesting but also feels atmospherically empty and austere. If you can embrace that, though, and you have enough patience to crack the obstacles in your way, there may not be a puzzle game this year more rewarding as this one." Metro gave it eight out of ten, saying, "Frustrating and confusing almost by design, Antichamber is nevertheless one of the most intelligent and imaginative puzzle games for years." However, The Digital Fix gave it seven out of ten, saying, "Like a lot of various other media and art, I can appreciate the technical skill involved in its creation, but find it a tad too vexing for my own personal enjoyment. Maybe this dog's too old to be taught new tricks; players more able of mind may fare better.