Publisher: Glassmoon

Hexcells (2013)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Hexcells: A Cerebral Mosaic of Logic and Patience

In the vast tapestry of video games, where action, adventure, and adrenaline often take center stage, there exists a hidden gem that caters to a different kind of thrill: the cerebral challenge. Hexcells is an ambient logic puzzle game that invites players to embark on a meditative journey of deduction, patience, and pattern recognition.

Released in 2013 by Matthew Brown, Hexcells is a minimalist masterpiece that has captivated puzzle enthusiasts worldwide. Its deceptively simple gameplay belies a profound depth that will challenge even the most seasoned problem solvers.

Gameplay: Logic in a Hexagonal Lattice

At its core, Hexcells is a logic puzzle game akin to Minesweeper. Players are presented with a grid of hexagonal cells, some of which contain hidden numbers. The goal is to deduce the location of these hidden numbers based on the clues provided by the visible numbers.

Each visible number indicates how many of its six adjacent cells contain hidden numbers. By carefully analyzing these clues and eliminating possibilities, players can gradually uncover the hidden numbers and complete the grid.

Ambiance: A Symphony of Simplicity

Hexcells’ gameplay is complemented by a serene and ambient atmosphere. The game’s minimalist visuals, featuring a pastel color palette and soothing sound effects, create a tranquil environment that encourages focus and contemplation.

The lack of time limits or penalties fosters a sense of tranquility, allowing players to immerse themselves in the puzzle-solving process without the pressure of a ticking clock.

Challenge: A Test of Deduction

Despite its simplicity, Hexcells offers a surprisingly deep and challenging experience. As players progress through the game’s 100 levels, the puzzles become increasingly complex, requiring sharp logic, careful observation, and a touch of patience.

The game’s difficulty curve is expertly calibrated, providing a sense of accomplishment with each puzzle solved while continually pushing players to their deductive limits.

Variations: Expanding the Puzzleverse

Beyond the core gameplay, Hexcells offers a variety of puzzle variations to keep players engaged. These variations introduce new mechanics and challenges, such as:

  • Trihex: Hexagonal grids with triangular cells, adding an extra layer of complexity.
  • Overload: Puzzles with more hidden numbers than visible clues, requiring players to make educated guesses.
  • Relax: Puzzles with fewer hidden numbers and more visible clues, providing a more relaxed experience.

Community: A Hub of Puzzle Enthusiasts

Hexcells has fostered a dedicated community of puzzle enthusiasts who share strategies, discuss solutions, and create their own custom puzzles. The game’s built-in level editor allows players to unleash their creativity and challenge others with their own logic labyrinths.

Conclusion: A Timeless Masterpiece

Hexcells is a timeless masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of casual gaming and enters the realm of cerebral art. Its elegant gameplay, serene ambiance, and challenging puzzles offer a unique and rewarding experience that will appeal to puzzle enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your logic, find a moment of tranquility, or simply enjoy the beauty of a well-crafted puzzle, Hexcells is an essential addition to your gaming library. So dive into its hexagonal world and let the journey of deduction and discovery begin.

Review Score

9/10

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Hexcells Plus (2013)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Hexcells Plus (2013): A Challenging and Addictive Puzzle Game

Hexcells Plus is a standalone expansion to the original Hexcells game, which was released in 2012. The game features 36 new and more challenging puzzles, as well as a number of new features and improvements.

Gameplay

Hexcells Plus is a logic puzzle game in which the player must fill in a grid of hexagonal tiles with numbers and symbols. The goal of the game is to fill in all of the tiles without creating any contradictions.

Each tile can contain a number, a symbol, or both. The numbers indicate how many of the surrounding tiles are filled in. The symbols indicate the direction in which the filled-in tiles are located.

For example, a tile with the number “3” indicates that three of the surrounding tiles are filled in. A tile with the symbol “>” indicates that the filled-in tiles are located to the right of the tile.

The player must use logic to deduce which tiles are filled in and which are not. The game becomes more challenging as the puzzles progress, and the player must use a variety of strategies to solve them.

New Features

Hexcells Plus includes a number of new features and improvements over the original game. These features include:

  • New puzzles: Hexcells Plus features 36 new puzzles, which are more challenging than the puzzles in the original game.
  • New mechanics: Hexcells Plus introduces a number of new mechanics, such as teleporters and rotators. These mechanics add new challenges to the game and make it more varied.
  • Improved graphics: Hexcells Plus features improved graphics over the original game. The tiles are now more detailed and the colors are more vibrant.
  • New soundtrack: Hexcells Plus features a new soundtrack by composer Disasterpeace. The soundtrack is atmospheric and adds to the game’s overall mood.

Reception

Hexcells Plus has been praised by critics for its challenging puzzles, innovative gameplay, and beautiful graphics. The game has a score of 9/10 on Metacritic and has been nominated for a number of awards.

Conclusion

Hexcells Plus is a challenging and addictive puzzle game that will keep you entertained for hours. With its new puzzles, new mechanics, and improved graphics, Hexcells Plus is the definitive version of the game. If you’re a fan of logic puzzles, then you owe it to yourself to check out Hexcells Plus.

Tips for Playing Hexcells Plus

Here are a few tips for playing Hexcells Plus:

  • Start with the easy puzzles: The first few puzzles in Hexcells Plus are relatively easy, so they’re a good place to start. Once you’ve gotten the hang of the basics, you can move on to the more challenging puzzles.
  • Use logic: Hexcells Plus is a logic puzzle game, so it’s important to use logic to solve the puzzles. Don’t guess; instead, take your time and think through each move.
  • Look for patterns: The puzzles in Hexcells Plus often have patterns. Once you spot a pattern, you can use it to your advantage to solve the puzzle more quickly.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment: There’s no one right way to solve a Hexcells Plus puzzle. If you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies.

Additional Information

  • Developer: Matthew Brown
  • Publisher: Secret Mode
  • Release Date: December 12, 2013
  • Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
  • Genre: Logic puzzle
  • ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

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