Hexceed is a relaxing and free puzzle game similar to a minesweeper

I’ve been on a puzzle game kick recently – or for the past year, really. Calm, methodical problem solving is exactly what I need while I’m stuck inside listening to podcasts. The latest is Hexceed, a hexagonal minesweeper clicker that’s free to play on Steam.

Each puzzle begins with a board of blank hexagons, with a pre-marked secure title. You mark the tiles as safe by clicking on them with the left button, which will reveal a number. As in Minesweeper, the number indicates the number of adjacent tiles that are “dangerous”. You mark a dangerous tile by clicking with the right mouse button. A puzzle is solved when all the tiles have been correctly identified.

There is a wonderful rhythm to it, even in its most basic puzzles. I find that sometimes I need to take a break to examine the board while trying to see what the next available move is, but once I spot it there are often four or five obvious moves to make immediately. after. I love that feeling, of saying “Oh, I’m stuck,” which then gives way to a wave of activity as I identify a large expanse of land without having to think about it.

I’ve never been stuck for a long time, but the puzzles introduce twists and complications. Tiles can be divided by walls which prevent a numbered tile from reflecting the danger that might be on the other side. Some tiles show the total number of dangerous tiles in a marked region or on an entire row. You also learn to gather this information fairly quickly.

Although the puzzles have been relatively easy to solve so far, they still take time and there is a lot of it. I’ve been playing for three hours and I’m almost done with Tutorial Island, which has 46 levels. There are 360 ​​more levels to play for free after that.

If I’m hungry even more after this, its developers release monthly DLC with new levels. Each DLC will cost $ 1 / £ 0.79, and within the first year, they plan to introduce four new mechanics for new levels to use. You can also purchase a Year 1 Pass for $ 9 / £ 6.19 which will unlock Year 1 DLC upon release.

I’m not sure yet if I’ll play long enough to start spending money, but I’m spending a few pounds each month on New York Times crossword packs and bought enough Picross games from the Nintendo eshop. to know that it is possible.