2024: Mosaic Retrospective

About

"2024: Mosaic Retrospective" is a puzzle game that has you completing a 60,000 piece grid to reveal a pixel art collage of major news events from the previous year. Using numbered clues, similar to Minesweeper, you uncover light tiles to gradually reveal the mosaic. The game offers dozens of hours of meditative and challenging gameplay, with the option to listen to your own music or the built-in soundtrack. The game supports UNICEF fundraising.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 166 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive puzzle gameplay that combines elements of Minesweeper and Picross, providing hours of entertainment.
The game is free, making it an accessible option for puzzle fans, and it offers a unique retrospective of events from 2024.
Relaxing atmosphere with a pleasant soundtrack, making it a great companion for listening to podcasts or audiobooks while playing.

The game often presents dark and depressing news stories as rewards for completing sections, which can detract from the enjoyment of the gameplay.
Some players found the political bias in the news snippets to be off-putting, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
The gameplay can become tedious after a while, especially for those who prefer more dynamic or varied puzzle experiences.

gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
53%
14%
The gameplay is generally well-received, characterized by a blend of minesweeper, sudoku, and nonogram mechanics that create engaging and relaxing puzzle experiences. While the logical challenges are accessible and enjoyable, some players note that the gameplay can become tedious once the mechanics are mastered. Overall, it offers a chill, exploratory atmosphere, making it suitable for those who appreciate logic-based puzzles without the need for complex strategies.
- “A combination of minesweeper, sudoku, and nonogram, this game is set in smaller sections of the mosaic which could act as 'levels' if you want to divide gameplay into bite-sized chunks.”
- “As a puzzle, it's solid: simple logical mechanics that don't demand too much in the way of long chains of deduction, but frequently rise above the obvious, keeping it smooth, engaging, and consistent, just the thing to decompress with.”
- “With its easy-to-understand gameplay, customizable options, and clever puzzle layouts, this game is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a challenging and satisfying journey through logic-based puzzles at no cost!”
- “Granted, I'm not that good at minesweeper, but I feel like most reviews are just not addressing the fact that if you want to play this, you either have to know minesweeper pretty well because it does not explain anything to you at all depending on the gameplay.”
- “If you’re looking for fast-paced action or complex mechanics, this won’t be your thing.”
- “It's a logic game with mechanics just different enough from minesweeper to trip up both me and the household's PhD-level mathematician... whose specialization is heavily based around mathematical logic...”
music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
52%
16%
The music in the game is generally praised for its relaxing and pleasant qualities, with a notable blend of jazz, bossa nova, and zen soundtracks that enhance the overall atmosphere. While many players find the music elevating and cathartic, some feel it lacks variety for longer play sessions, leading them to turn it off in favor of other audio options. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the chill gameplay experience, though opinions on its suitability for extended use vary.
- “This remarkable sense of melancholy also has an elevating effect on the light, pleasant jazz soundtrack, lending it powerful cathartic properties exceeding what could ordinarily be achieved by this kind of music in isolation.”
- “Also, the 'zen' soundtrack is absurdly beautiful and relaxing!”
- “It features two distinct soundtracks: zen and bossa nova music.”
- “What didn't make for a very enjoyable solving experience is, once again, the music for this game.”
- “First thing I did after listening to the music for about a minute was go to the options menu and turn it off completely.”
- “- The music does not really fit this kind of puzzle very well.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The humor in the game is noted for its ability to provide comic relief amidst serious topics, with users finding certain news stories particularly funny. However, there is a desire for a version that focuses solely on positive and humorous content, avoiding reminders of more distressing issues. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its effectiveness in lightening the mood while engaging with current events.
- “Some of the news stories included in this were very funny, which helped to alleviate the despair of being reminded of some serious and depressing stories.”
- “I would love to see a similar retrospective with only positive and funny things.”
- “Honestly, it's very funny seeing a bunch of people proudly proclaiming 'yes, I am a pissbaby' in response to a game that neutrally reports events from 2024 while raising money for charity.”
- “I don't want to be reminded that drugs have infested our oceans or that Musk made a useless department with a really unfunny acronym.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the game's unique emotional tension, balancing moments of joy and anticipation with the inevitability of bad news. The experience is described as subtle and meditative, effectively guiding players through its emotional highs and lows while engaging them in the satisfying challenge of puzzle-solving.
- “This introduces a certain emotional tension, unlike anything I've ever felt from a game: the pure joy of filling in the puzzle grid drives me forward, even knowing that I'm likely to be 'rewarded' with a surprise of bad news.”
- “It’s subtle, almost meditative, but it knows exactly when to swell and carry you through the emotional beats.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's pixel graphics are highly praised for their cleverness and evocative quality, showcasing the talent of the developers and designers. The distinctive art style captivates players, and the customizable in-game settings allow for personalized graphic adjustments, enhancing the overall visual experience.
- “It never fails to amaze me how pixel graphics, including those in this game, can be so clever and evocative - all credit to the developers and designers who produce such excellent pictures and montages.”
- “The art style is the first thing that grabs you.”
- “The in-game settings can be adjusted to fit your preferences; you can invert colors, modify input controls, toggle error warnings, and select your preferred graphic resolution.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
- “The character models look flat and lifeless, making it hard to connect with the game.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, lacking detail and depth.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its stunning minimalist visuals that evoke a painterly quality, complemented by a pleasant and relaxing ambiance. Players can further enhance their experience by personalizing the environment with soothing music options, contributing to an overall tranquil setting.
- “It's stunning in a minimalist, atmospheric way that makes every frame feel like it could be a painting.”
- “A pleasant, relaxing atmosphere with two nice music options.”
- “Players can personalize their experience, creating a calm and soothing atmosphere.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game can become tedious, especially after mastering the mechanics, though it still offers challenging sections for those focused on completing the puzzle.
- “This can lead it to becoming a bit tedious, but if you're aiming at completing the puzzle, there are still some challenging sections.”
- “If I had any criticism, it is that, as I said, it can become tedious once you get a good grasp of the mechanics.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story effectively explores themes of memory, perspective, and the passage of time, enhanced by its muted tones and sharp contrasts.
- “The muted tones and sharp contrasts match the story’s focus on memory, perspective, and the passage of time.”

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2024: Mosaic Retrospective
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72h Median play time

72h Average play time

72-72h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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