[b]minimal crypt[/b] is a clever color-based puzzler. you're a yellow circle (or pawn, as the game calls them) on tile-based levels tasked with stepping on all the flags in any order. colored tiles won't let you pass unless you're the same color, but the big obstacle is not simply coating yourself by stepping on the appropriate tiles, but keeping them on to achieve your goal.
after a post-release content update the game has [b]68 levels[/b] in 6 packs with a bunch of mechanics, and a [b]level editor[/b] is also included. each level within the first pack is unlocked, completing the whole set unlocks the rest of the packs and levels at the same time, which is very nice. sadly, [b]level selection is only accessible while playing, not from the main menu[/b].
[b]no timer or move limit/counter[/b], but you can only stack 3 colors on yourself and they each wear off after a single use. [b]lifo is the name of the game[/b] (last in, first out), so the outmost layer, the one you put on last, gets used first. stepping on the same coloring tile repeatedly lets you put on multiple coats of the same color.
teleporters are a big deal in the crypt. they can be activated from any tile but using them costs a layer of paint and they also reset already activated flags. there are tiles that break after stepping on them once, as well as single-use coloring tiles, both restored after using the teleporter. pushable blocks are also a thing, they can push each other and can be colored as well. and what I hate even more than sokoban: moving multiple things simultaneously. the content update also added things like flags that have to be stepped on twice or traps that hold circles hostage.
the mouse works in the menus and for selecting levels, otherwise [b]it's keyboard or controller only[/b]. rebindable controls aren't always necessary, especially if alternatives are provided (here it's only for movement to support qwerty and azerty keyboards), but [b]putting the undo and level reset hotkeys next to each other was a bad idea[/b]. no icon to click in the editor to exit, have to press esc, and the same key immediately yanks you out of the level you're playing, no confirmation or anything. rude.
there are on-screen level numbers, but only dots on the top/bottom of the screen, so finding the level you want to jump to is more cumbersome than it should be. keyboard also works, but then it's just previous/next, also finicky. there's also a visualize links' hotkey that has to be held for some reason. it mostly shows which pawn is connected to which teleporter.
really nice, clean visuals, great soundtrack and [b]good amount of settings, everything necessary (except rebindable controls and mouse movement) is available[/b]. windowed mode with a resizable window, separate volume settings, a few languages, colorblind mode, even a speed setting. I found 'normal' adequate and I always want to skip and fast-forward all the unnecessary fluff or repetition.
besides the issues above, not much to complain about, but that's still plenty and I'd like to see them addressed at some point, until then [b]it's only recommendable on sale[/b]. it has some really tricksy puzzles, meaning [b]I had no chance of finishing it, but enjoyed what I played[/b] and only have about half a dozen levels left. there's a [b]demo to try[/b] with the first level pack, mostly trivial stuff, so it's not exactly an accurate representation of what awaits later. still, it gives a general idea about some of the mechanics and progress carries over to the full game.
