[b]8/10[/b]
A good pathfinding game with numbers.
[b]What is it:[/b] A pathfinding game, you must traverse a grid of tiles with numbers on them until all the numbers go down to zero. You can only move to a neighboring tile, and when you step on it, the number is reduced by one. When the number on a tile reaches zero, it turns into a hole and you can no longer step on it.
More interesting mechanics are then added: unnumbered (neutral) tiles that you can step on as often as you want, fire tiles that kill you if you step on them, slippery tiles that you slide on, bouncy tiles that catapult you two tiles away, directional tiles that move you one way, and teleporters. Each level comes with the challenge of finishing it without using undo, but that is an optional challenge.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3361899939
It's a simple puzzle game, but it feels good. The mechanics are interesting, the levels are well designed, the controls are decent, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. And it manages to make something interesting out of things I normally consider bad in a game. The “no undo” challenge makes sure that you actually have a solution you understand and didn't just stumble through the level until you solved it. There are “failure” achievements, but unlike the “die 100 times” bad, grindy achievements in other games, it has one of each possible failure, and while you may get some by accident, you have to actually think and find levels where it’s possible to die by trampoline, or get stuck in a portal, so I view them as thinky achievements too, not as “prove that you’re too stupid to play this game properly” achievements. Well done!
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3361895185
There are a few minor issues at release time, but nothing major, and the dev knows about them and is working on fixes. One aspect which I sometimes consider bad, sometimes acceptable in a game, is the minimalist UI. Here I don’t really mind it, but I would like a few more settings and a proper level select. So, if you’re looking for a little mental challenge that's not too difficult, give this one a try.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3361900362
[b]How hard is it:[/b] Mostly easy, to moderate, maybe the last 10 levels are a little more challenging.
[b]How long is it:[/b] 100 levels, 2-4 hours, must be played in order.
[b]Level design:[/b] Good to very good, distinct levels with a good difficulty curve, various types of levels, good introductory levels for new mechanics.
[b]Quality:[/b] Good, but a few QoL additions would be nice. Undo and fast restarts. Minimal UI, but it doesn't need more. Prev/next level select. Good controls, works with keyboard and controller, but not configurable. Just a few audio settings. Cloud saving, good achievements. Fast and responsive. Doesn’t work on my Linux desktop, but works on the Steam Deck.
[b]Worth the price:[/b] Yes, especially with a little discount.
[b]Most positive aspect for me:[/b] Varied mechanics and levels styles.
[b]Most negative aspect for me:[/b] Not much, let’s say lack of progress reset.
[b]What would make it better:[/b] Custom level editor and workshop support. Proper level select. Configurable controls. More settings, at least a fullscreen toggle. A hint mechanism and a way to skip levels. Faster movement when sliding. Input caching and input repeats. Progress bar for achievements.
[b]Also consider:[/b]
[url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2474880/Paint_by_Cubes/?curator_clanid=25928931]Paint by Cubes[/url], similar gameplay with good levels and interesting mechanics, but lacking undo.
[quote]For more puzzle game reviews, news and everything puzzle-related, follow [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/25928931-Puzzle-Lovers/]Puzzle Lovers[/url] and check out our [url=http://steamcommunity.com/groups/puzzlelovers]Steam group[/url].[/quote]
[quote]Follow [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32732116-IndieGems/]IndieGems[/url] for more reviews like this one.[/quote]
