Minimal Crypt

[b]TLDR[/b] Interesting abstract grid-based puzzle game, not too challenging, has a level editor but few user-defined levels [14/20⭐, 5h🏅(?h sidegames), 3/5💡] [b]Context[/b] Minimal Crypts is an abstract grid-based puzzle game, where the controllable character must be coloured to pass certain obstacles, with additional mechanics introduced in later levels. [b]Writing[/b] There is no plot, just abstract puzzles to solve. [b]Aesthetics[/b] The design is minimalist and elegant, as usual for modern games of this kind. The soundtrack is pretty decent and low-key, although it can get tiresome in longer play sessions. [b]Gameplay[/b] The main mechanic of Minimal Crypt is that you can colour your character (and, later, obstacles in sokoban-style) with various layers, which are needed to pass through certain tiles. The main twist, in my perspective, is that you can “reset” the map to the initial state while preserving some of those layers. This makes for some pretty challenging puzzles, but nothing overwhelming (although from a few user-designed levels, it’s clear it has the potential to be pretty complex). Although if I’m being honest, level design is a bit rough at times. There are deadends in levels but you can always undo or restart the level without any penalty. [b]Value[/b] The main game took me about 5h to complete, which has about 60 levels. There is a single progress slot. You can revisit all previous levels from the main menu. However, with the user-designed levels, the potential value is unlimited. Unfortunately, by the time of the review there aren’t that many levels available. In fact, there are not even the 50 needed to get the last achievement (unless you just use some dummy levels available). I may revisit the review if puzzle packs are eventually released. Either way, the price tag seems reasonable. [quote][i]For more puzzle-game reviews and curated lists check out the [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43326007-The-Clueless-Adventurer-Puzzle-Trove/]Puzzle Trove[/url].[/i][/quote]