Dexodonex
- December 7, 2016
- Volens Nolens Games
Get on Steam"Dexodonex" is a challenging puzzle game set in a cyberpunk world, where players must strategically close all cells in each level without making a mistake. The game features stylish graphics, hypnotic music, and the option for tips and hints. With all levels solvable, "Dexodonex" offers a satisfying and mind-bending experience for those who can keep a cool head.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique hexagonal puzzle mechanic that can be enjoyable and challenging for players who appreciate strategic thinking.
- There are 61 levels to explore, providing a decent amount of content for puzzle enthusiasts.
- The gameplay is simple to learn, with an undo feature that allows players to correct mistakes, making it accessible for casual gamers.
- The game lacks a tutorial or instructions, which can make it confusing for new players trying to understand the mechanics.
- There are significant technical issues, such as no full-screen option, poor graphics, and a lack of customization for controls, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The game has been criticized for being a poorly executed mobile port, with many players feeling it does not meet the standards expected from a PC game.
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring decent synth tracks that contribute to a relaxing atmosphere, though some players find the sound effects annoying. However, the lack of comprehensive volume settings limits the ability to balance the loud music with the sound effects effectively. Overall, the presentation is noted as appealing, with a neon aesthetic complementing the audio experience.
“Average puzzle game, well presented with decent synth music and a neon look and feel.”
“Average puzzle game, well presented with decent synth music and neon look/feel.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the games in question has been criticized as exploitative and unethical, with reviewers labeling them as cash grabs that rely on copying and repackaging existing game templates and assets. This approach is seen as a form of shovelware, where the focus is on quick profits rather than original content or quality.
“These guys do nothing but copy premade game templates and game tutorials, fill out a few things, stamp out basic levels using the construction kit templates, slap on an asset-flipped set of sprites/assets, and dump them on Steam and into cheap, nasty shovelware game bundles as cash grabs.”
“Trying to get paid for someone else's game templates and assets... at best, this is shovelware; at worst, it's a scam and cash grab.”
“Volens Nolens games have shown a repeat pattern of unethically dumping other people's work onto Steam as a cheap, nasty cash grab, either through this account or through closely linked or alternate accounts.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a straightforward pathing puzzle that is easy to learn, featuring a unique mechanic of filling hexes on the screen. Players appreciate the inclusion of a rewind button for correcting mistakes, making it a solid choice for puzzle enthusiasts.
“The gameplay is simple to learn and there is a rewind button if you made a mistake.”
“Gameplay is just a basic pathing puzzle where you put your finger on your iPhone screen and fill in all the hexes.”
“The gameplay is simple to learn, and there is a rewind button if you made a mistake.”
“A fine little puzzle game with unusual mechanics.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been criticized for lacking resolution options and meaningful tweaks, leading to a visually unimpressive experience that falls short of the high standards expected by PC gamers.
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to penalties for undoing actions and the frequent restarts required, which can detract from the overall enjoyment and motivation to achieve 5-star ratings.
“I don't like to get penalized for undoing actions, and things can get pretty tedious otherwise with all the restarts, especially towards the end. I didn't bother trying to 5-star everything.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers engaging puzzles that provide a satisfying challenge, but many users feel that its replayability is limited, suggesting it may not hold long-term interest.
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is tied to the player's journey of navigating through levels and connecting with various nodes, evoking a sense of accomplishment and engagement as they build their path.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's stability is somewhat compromised by confusing initial rules and buggy in-game help, which can lead to frustration. However, players can quickly adapt by focusing on a forward-moving strategy from nodes or hexes, making the gameplay more intuitive over time.
“The in-game help is buggy, making it confusing to understand the rules initially.”
“The stability of the game is questionable, as it often crashes during critical moments.”
“I experienced frequent disconnects, which severely impacted my gameplay experience.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story conveys a powerful message about resilience and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that perseverance in the face of adversity can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
“The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
