Runecraft

[b]4/10[/b] Are you smart enough to combine the runes into the correct pattern to channel the flow of energy as desired? [b]What is it:[/b] Figuring out what the game actually is was the biggest challenge, so I’ll just put it behind a spoiler. [spoiler]This is a logic gate circuit designer. In every level you get a number of inputs and a number of outputs. The inputs cycle through all possible combinations of red and blue (false and true), and the outputs show the expected output for that combination. You are given a few runes and must build a circuit. Each rune has a cryptic description about energy flow, but they are the classic boolean gates: and, or, nand, nor, xor and not. Put them on the ground and make connections to turn the inputs into the expected output to win the level.[/spoiler] The game is short, with only 18 main levels, and with the exception of 2 levels, they are mostly tutorials. More levels may come soon, but for now the bulk of the game is in its randomly generated free play levels, where you can decide how many inputs and how many outputs to use, up to 4 of each. You can also choose to only work with [spoiler]nand or nor gates[/spoiler] for an extra challenge, which makes sense given that [spoiler]most modern hardware is implemented with one of these two gates[/spoiler]. I found the game a bit off putting. The graphics are basic, and other than the help screen hidden in the pause menu, it doesn’t help at all explain what you’re supposed to do and what each rune does. Right now it feels more like an early demo, and the lack of designed levels and achievements to go with finishing them gives no incentive to stick with it for more than an hour. [b]How hard is it:[/b] For someone with good logic, mostly trivial once you figure out what needs to be done. [b]How long is it:[/b] 18 main levels, can be finished in less than half an hour, but there’s a random level generator. [b]Level design:[/b] Basic. The main levels are just tutorials, and not really helpful. [b]Quality:[/b] Poor. Just a few tutorial levels. Mouse only controls. No settings other than a volume slider. No cloud saving, no achievements, no workshop or leaderboards. [b]Worth the price:[/b] No. [b]Most positive aspect for me:[/b] Good logic training. [b]Most negative aspect for me:[/b] Not enough levels. [b]What would make it better:[/b] Better explanation of what the goal is. More levels. Better graphics. Steam integration: cloud saving, achievements, workshop, leaderboards. [b]Also consider:[/b] [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1528120/ComPressure/?curator_clanid=25928931]ComPressure[/url]. [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1861500/Pure_Logic/?curator_clanid=25928931]Pure Logic[/url]. [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]