Block in the Lock

About

Block in the Lock is a single player casual puzzle game with a violence theme. It was developed by Peyda and was released on September 6, 2019. It received very positive reviews from players.

Block in the Lock is a 2D puzzle game where you move different blocks simultaneously like a hive mind. These blocks can be shifted and shaped to create certain patterns. All blocks move at the same time in the same direction and interact with their environment. A puzzle is solved when the movable blocks fill out the required shape with a certain pattern.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

music5 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique twist on the Sokoban formula by allowing players to control multiple blocks simultaneously, providing a fresh and engaging puzzle experience.
It features a well-designed difficulty curve, introducing new mechanics gradually and teaching players through example, which enhances the learning experience.
As a free game, it provides excellent value with a large number of levels, a level editor, and workshop support for user-generated content.

The difficulty ramp can be steep, leading to frustration as players may struggle with later levels that require extensive trial and error.
The minimalist graphics and overall presentation may feel dated and lack the polish expected from contemporary games, which could deter some players.
The level selection and undo mechanics can be slow and cumbersome, impacting the overall flow of gameplay.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay of "block in the lock" is characterized by its innovative mechanics that interact with simultaneous movement, gradually introducing complexity through well-designed tutorial levels. Players engage in minimalist grid-based block placement and pathing puzzles, with each world presenting unique challenges that build on previously learned mechanics. The clear visuals and distinct mechanics enhance the experience, allowing for creative problem-solving and strategic gameplay.
- “There are a lot of new mechanics introduced along the way that interact interestingly with simultaneous movement.”
- “The game introduces new mechanics well, showing you the very basic function and slowly expanding upon the ideas, showing you new ways to use them, or even work around these mechanics when they are used against you.”
- “It's amazing what the developers did with such simple mechanics.”
- “The only text comes from the titles of the levels, which range from a mild pointer as to what the new mechanic is to some fairly obscure reference to what’s going on in the level.”
- “Well this game will please you with worlds focusing on gimmicks, a final world of all mechanics, and the challenge puzzles that come in sets with similarly themed but increasingly hard puzzles per level.”
- “Mechanics aren't tied to their home world but instead used as a support for an idea of the current world's mechanic; their tutorial levels introduced it well, but it likes to get complicated slowly until the endgame.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
12%
25%
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and good, though some users feel it lacks variety and can feel generic, akin to template brainteaser music. While the sound design is mostly well-received, there are minor issues such as the absence of sound upon level completion and the music continuing when alt-tabbing. Overall, it complements the gameplay but could benefit from more diversity.
- “Good music, simple graphics, challenging puzzles, it's free.”
- “The music is good, the controls are responsive and smooth.”
- “I enjoyed the music but it lacked some variety.”
- “The music is alright, it feels like template brainteaser music.”
- “The mouse cursor doesn't disappear and the music doesn't stop when you alt-tab.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's graphics are characterized by a minimalist art style that some players appreciate for its clarity and simplicity, allowing for easy visual distinction of mechanics. While the visuals may lack contemporary detail, they effectively support the gameplay and contribute to a neat aesthetic, complemented by good music and challenging puzzles.
- “Art style is the kind of simplistic design that I like; mechanics are easily distinguishable between each other visually.”
- “Neat puzzle game with a beautiful minimalistic aesthetic.”
- “This game features very lackluster minimalist 'art' for graphics instead of anything remotely contemporary.”
- “Yes, contemporary 3D graphics take a lot of time and effort to create.”
- “The mechanics are fairly clear and the visuals never obscure any pieces you need to see or try to 'trick' you.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The story aspect of the game offers flexibility, allowing players to either focus on improving their previous records or progress through the narrative at their own pace, emphasizing a single key decision that influences gameplay.
- “The story is incredibly engaging, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
- “The character development is rich and immersive, making you truly care about their journeys.”
- “The narrative is beautifully crafted, blending emotional depth with thrilling moments.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is shallow, leaving players with little emotional investment in the narrative.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or excitement.”