Hexahedra
- May 16, 2024
- Sidequest Ninja
Get on SteamHexahedra is a open-ended programming puzzle game where you design and optimize factories to produce required cubes. Rewind and refine your solutions to increase efficiency and compete with friends. Create and share your own puzzles with the built-in editor and uncover the mystery of cubes being used for sinister purposes.
Reviews
- The core cube-manipulation mechanics are novel and mentally stimulating, offering a huge number of possible solutions to each puzzle.
- The game features a well-designed UI with quality of life features that enhance the player experience, making it easy to learn and enjoyable to play.
- The puzzles are fun and challenging, gradually increasing in complexity, which keeps players engaged and encourages optimization of solutions.
- The UI can add friction to the experience, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The initial tutorial levels are slow-paced and could benefit from better pacing to maintain player interest.
- Music, graphics, and story elements are considered mediocre and unimportant compared to the core gameplay.
- story5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The story is described as surprisingly engaging, adding depth to the gameplay with evolving complexities that keep players invested. While some reviewers find the overall presentation mediocre, the narrative progression motivates them to continue playing to uncover what happens next.
“Nice and simple to start with, but keeps things interesting by quickly adding new complexities as the story progresses.”
“The story so far has also been a very pleasant surprise - it's not just puzzles; there's something going on, and I can't wait to find out exactly what...”
“Music, graphics, story... all mediocre, but totally unimportant to a game like this.”
“When I get my factory working, I'm torn between going to the next level (because I want to know what happens next in the storyline) and reworking my solution to improve my stats.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by innovative cube-manipulation mechanics that are both simple and deeply engaging, encouraging players to explore complex sequences and loops. The well-paced evolution of these mechanics across levels, combined with an effective process control system and a transformative rewind feature, enhances the overall experience and efficiency in gameplay.
“The evolution of the mechanics through the levels was well-paced, and the process control system works really well to make long chains clear when debugging.”
“The rewind mechanic is an absolute game-changer when it comes to the efficiency stage.”
“The core cube-manipulation mechanics are novel and mentally stimulating (expect to spend hours rotating your fingers in the dark instead of sleeping).”
“It's really surprising how seemingly simple the individual mechanics are, while their combinations lead to a lot of depth, such as loops, complex sequences, and more.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some users finding them mediocre and unimportant to the overall gameplay, while others praised the quirky art style as lovely and a delightful complement to the engaging puzzle experience.
“I also really enjoyed the art style.”
“Its quirky style, graphics, and experience are simply lovely, resulting in a fantastic light-hearted interlude from a seriously engaging puzzling experience.”
“The graphics are mediocre, lacking any real detail or creativity.”
“The visuals feel outdated and do not match the expectations for modern games.”
“The art style is uninspired, making the game visually unappealing.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is considered mediocre, but reviewers suggest that it is not a significant factor in the overall experience, implying that other elements may take precedence.
“The music is forgettable and lacks any real impact on the gameplay experience.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and uninspired, failing to enhance the atmosphere of the game.”
“Overall, the music is just bland and does nothing to elevate the game's appeal.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game's compact levels encourage players to think creatively and strategically about optimizations, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
“The game encourages creative problem-solving, making every optimization feel rewarding.”
“I love how the optimization mechanics challenge you to find the most efficient solutions.”
“The compact levels force you to think 'inside the box' for optimizations.”
“The game suffers from severe performance issues, making optimization a frustrating experience.”
“I found the optimization options to be limited, which hindered my ability to tailor the game to my preferences.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, as each level offers multiple strategies for optimization, allowing for varied approaches in speed, machine use, and procedural steps. This aspect particularly appeals to those with a background in software engineering, who enjoy refining their techniques.
“Each playthrough feels unique, with different strategies and approaches to explore, making me want to dive back in for more.”
“The variety of challenges and the ability to experiment with different tactics ensure that no two runs are ever the same.”
“The factory ethos and programming line opens up the inner optimizer for the software engineer in me, and each level has multiple replay value as you optimize for speed, machines, and steps!”
