Globesweeper: Hex Puzzler
- November 15, 2019
- Incandescent Games
- 1h median play time
Get on Steam"Globesweeper: Hex Puzzler" is a 3D logic puzzle game that builds on the concept of spherical minesweeper, but with a twist. The game features gaps in the globes, creating new patterns to solve, and introduces eight new mechanics such as Cluster, Area, and Group tiles. With 92 levels and no need for guessing, it offers a challenging and fun experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a well-crafted set of 92 unique logic puzzles that combine various mechanics, providing a satisfying challenge for puzzle enthusiasts.
- All puzzles can be solved purely through logic, with no guessing required, making it a rewarding experience for players who enjoy deductive reasoning.
- The 3D globe format adds a unique twist to the traditional Minesweeper gameplay, enhancing the visual appeal and level design.
- Some levels are excessively large, leading to frustration when a single misclick can result in having to restart the entire puzzle, especially for players aiming for perfect scores.
- The controls can feel clunky at times, particularly when navigating the globe, which may obscure clues and complicate gameplay.
- The game lacks certain quality of life features, such as the ability to mark completed clues, which can hinder the overall experience.
- gameplay43 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Globesweeper is a compelling evolution of the classic minesweeper formula, enhanced by a variety of innovative mechanics that interact dynamically, creating unique and challenging puzzles. Players appreciate the superb level design, with handcrafted stages that gradually introduce new mechanics, leading to satisfying "aha!" moments. While the 3D globe format adds a distinct flavor, some players feel it complicates the experience, suggesting that a 2D approach might have been more effective for gameplay clarity.
“There are so many more mechanics than I expected, and they're all used very carefully in ways that build on one another and make for an extremely compelling puzzle.”
“The combination of new mechanics makes puzzle-solving approaches dynamic.”
“The puzzles are well-crafted and range between easier introductory puzzles as mechanics are introduced and a respectable number of 'aha!' moments as you play through the harder levels.”
“However, I feel like the potential of the mechanics was barely tapped.”
“It doesn't help that the last few levels are truly gigantic and a single error costs you your 3-star rating, which makes gameplay a bit tense after 2 hours of working on a stage.”
“The presentation is not great and the sphere gimmick is annoying more often than not, but the core gameplay is absolutely rock-solid.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their pleasing aesthetics and superb level design, with a nice interface and core effects that enhance the experience. While some elements, like the 3D-sphere gimmick, may detract from the overall presentation, the visuals are considered a strong point, effectively complementing the gameplay and creating an engaging atmosphere. Overall, the combination of visuals and music contributes to a beautiful gaming experience, despite some minor criticisms.
“The graphics are perfect for this game, though I must admit that the lightning strike that occurs within the levels in the middle of the globe looks very similar to the lightning strike when you mistakenly click on the wrong hex.”
“The graphics are nice, especially the core effects, and I didn't find any bugs or puzzles that needed luck.”
“Not that puzzle games really need much in the way of presentation, but the visuals here are quite nice.”
“The visuals are nothing to write home about, and the 3D sphere gimmick is more of a detriment, honestly. However, I've been really impressed by the level design.”
“Finally, some of the bigger levels feel a bit like an exercise in patience as opposed to puzzling ability, but even then, the visuals tend to make up for that.”
“And on the aesthetics side, it’s certainly closer to Hexcells than Tametsi… (see this zoomed-out example screenshot from one of the final levels.)”
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and engaging ambient/electronic style, enhancing the overall experience without being distracting. However, some users noted a desire for more variety in the soundtrack and mentioned instances of loud music disrupting gameplay. Overall, the combination of music and visuals is well-received, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The ambient/electronic music is really nice and not distracting at all.”
“Plus the music is beautiful and changes as you progress.”
“Really beautiful combination of music with the visuals as well.”
“My only nitpick is that I wish the soundtrack was more varied.”
“There is some odd music kicking in with a rather loud volume which disrupted my thinking quite a bit.”
“But you can just play your own music, problem solved.”
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game runs smoothly on Linux, indicating strong stability on that platform.
“Runs great on Linux.”
“Eta: runs great on Linux.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers optimization options, allowing players to disable distracting visual elements like animated backgrounds to improve performance. However, the star rating system can be frustrating, as players may lose stars for accidental mis-clicks, particularly in larger levels.
“You can disable some of the visual complications, like animated backgrounds, if they distract you or cause performance issues.”
“The game rates your performance in each level out of three stars, with you losing a star for each mis-click. If you're the sort of person who cares about that, missing out on three stars for a single accidental mis-click can be annoying, especially on the bigger levels.”
“The game rates your performance in each level out of three stars, with you losing a star for each mis-click; if you're the sort of person to care about that, missing out on three stars for a single accidental mis-click can be annoying, especially on the bigger levels.”
“Plus, you can disable some of the visual complications like animated backgrounds if they distract you or cause performance issues.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is not a primary focus, as players often find themselves replaying earlier levels repetitively, leading to a reliance on memory rather than engaging with the narrative or logic of the game.
“The story felt disjointed and lacked a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development was minimal, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys.”
“The plot twists were predictable and failed to deliver any real surprises.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game to be effective and enjoyable, often highlighting specific moments that elicit laughter. Overall, the comedic elements contribute positively to the gaming experience.
“The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious!”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and clever puns.”
“The comedic timing of the characters is spot on and adds so much to the experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users note that the lack of randomization in the puzzles leads to limited replayability, making the game feel less engaging after an initial playthrough.
“As with all puzzlers without randomization, replayability is a little lacking, especially after a short period of time.”
