Lyne

Lyne

LYNE is a simple but addictive and quite challenging minimalist puzzle game. It takes a straightforward concept, connecting all the shapes on a grid, and turns it into a game that can become infinitely complex. Don’t worry, though, as LYNE features over six hundred puzzles to ease you into things. Thanks to the randomly generated daily puzzles, this is a game that also offers an incredible amount of value for money. While it is definitely a game more suited for playing in short bursts on mobile, it doesn’t feel out of place on PC.

Gameplay: As the game states, LYNE is deceptively simple but infinitely complex.

Graphics: Very minimal, but the focus is the puzzles, and the visuals match the style of the game.

Sound: Also very minimal, but once again, the audio is a good match for the relaxing atmosphere of LYNE

Hocus

Hocus

Hocus is a nice puzzle game that makes use of Escher style perspective illusions. You simply need to navigate a red square to a marked red spot on the level, but can only navigate along straight lines. Hocus has 100 puzzles to complete and you can also create your own ones or import puzzles created by other players, which means it offers plenty of value for money. It does feel more like a maze game than a puzzle game at times because it is possible to brute force your way through levels, but overall it is a lot of fun.

Gameplay: The puzzles are not as hard as they might seem, but completing them is still very satisfying.

Graphics: The mobile roots of this game are very obvious, but the minimal visuals still look good.

Sound: The music is soothing at first, but can become repetitive while the sound effects are best switched off immediately

Incredipede

Incredipede

Incredipede is a unique puzzle title that challenges you to complete levels by controlling the muscles of one of the most bizarre characters ever to feature in a game. In easy mode, you are provided with a unique design for your creature every level, but in hard mode, it is up to you to create your own working designs. Throw in a sandbox mode as well as a level editor, and you have a game that can keep you entertained for far longer than expected. This game also has some of the most unique and eye-catching visual styles that we have seen in a while.

Gameplay: Incredipede is quite challenging and frequently frustrating but always fun.

Graphics: The art style is gorgeous, although the animations can be slightly creepy.

Sound: The audio is very sparse but quite fitting

Glass Masquerade

Glass Masquerade

Digital jigsaw puzzle games are a dime a dozen these days, but Glass Masquerade stands out from the crowd thanks to its polished visuals, unique stained glass style, and addictive gameplay. You get twenty-five puzzles, each themed around a different country, that you can solve at your leisure. The game looks great and sounds just as good, and while it is a little short, it remains enjoyable until the end. If you are a fan of the genre, then don’t hesitate to pick up this gem.

Gameplay: Solve jigsaw puzzles using stained glass pieces.

Graphics: The visual style of the game is very polished.

Sound: The soundtrack is a perfect match for the relaxed feel of the game

Euclidean

Euclidean

Euclidean is a game of geometric horror that tries very hard to make use of Lovecraftian elements to inspire dread, but only manages frustration instead. Not only is it hard to see what is going on around you, but the controls are also sluggish to the point of feeling useless. Instant death is very common, forcing players to restart the level, but mercifully the levels are short and there are only nine of them. Unless you are a huge fan of Lovecraft, can handle frustration and can find this game on sale, it is not really recommended.

Gameplay: Fall down very slowly while battling sluggish controls in order to avoid enemies.

Graphics: Enemies are far from scary and the whole thing is just too dark and foggy for its own good.

Sound: The ambient soundtrack is good, but the taunting voice can become repetitive

Always The Same Blue Sky…

Always The Same Blue Sky…

Always The Same Blue Sky is a visual novel about a student who transfers to yet another school in yet another remote location, but things are a little different this time. This is thanks to the presence of Kira, a girl who lives on the island and attends the same school. Life is a little more exciting and mysterious after Kira offers to show the protagonist around the island in this short visual novel. The game has flaws, but the price tag is low enough to make it a decent impulse buy.

Gameplay: There are not a lot of choices, and the game is relatively short, but the story is interesting.

Graphics: The sprite artwork is good, but the backgrounds are a little uneven in quality.

Sound: The game lacks voice acting, but the soundtrack is quite good

Refunct

Refunct

Refunct is a short and sweet indie game that provides players with a surprisingly relaxing first-person platforming experience. Jumping around and filling gray squares with green grass just by touching them is quite soothing, and you’ll soon find yourself easily pulling off moves like wall jumping. The whole thing can be completed in under thirty minutes, and there is no risk of dying, which might be a little boring for action fans. However, considering the low price and entertaining gameplay, there are far worse ways to spend those thirty minutes.

Gameplay: The game is fun and relaxing, but over a little too soon.

Graphics: The visuals are pretty minimal, but everything looks great and fits the game’s mood.

Sound: The audio in Refunct is also relatively minimal but, once again, very fitting

Lucy Got Problems

Lucy Got Problems

Gameplay: It is a visual novel, so gameplay is rather limited, but the story and characters are great.

Graphics: Great character designs and the art is really good.

Sound: The soundtrack is great, but the game lacks voice acting.

The market is flooded by adult visual novels that places style over substance. Lucy Got Problems avoids this trend by delivering a game that not only looks great, but which also has a laugh out loud story that is worth your time. If you can appreciate a story that isn’t afraid to indulge in fanservice and humor, then Lucy Got Problems deserves a spot in your library. It is still a very ecchi title, even in its “censored” format, but if you are a fan of the genre, then you will definitely have a blast

Beat Hazard

Beat Hazard

If you are tired of boring licensed tracks by bands you’ve never heard of and dull brown shooters then Beat Hazard is a revelation. The ability to play to your own music collection is nice and the visuals, while over the top, are certainly colorful. It’s not something you are going to be constantly playing, but you will find yourself coming back to it.

Gameplay: As long as you have music you’ll have fun.

Graphics: Retina searing bursts of color.

Sound: Depending on your taste this is obviously the best part of the game

Crayon Physics Deluxe

Crayon Physics Deluxe

Crayon Physics Deluxe is a charming little indie game that will suck in anybody that gives it a fair try. It’s loads of fun to just mess around and draw different things to see what contraptions you can come up with. With 70 levels and different challenges you’ll be playing this one far longer than you might think.

Gameplay: Extremely simple, but very impressive at the same time.

Graphics: Intentional crayon scribbles.

Sound: Not outstanding, but not annoying either