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Hue

Fiddlesticks' Hue is a beautiful puzzle-platformer that questions reality and perception. While often a little too easy, it's still a clever and rewarding trip.
Hue Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
91% User Score Based on 3,669 reviews
Critic Score 79%Based on 25 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4XboxWindowsPlayStationPlaystation VitaLinuxXbox Series X|SPCWii UMac OSWiiXbox One
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Hue Game Cover

About

Hue is a single player casual platformer game. It was developed by Fiddlesticks Games and was released on August 30, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Hue is a vibrant, award-winning puzzle adventure, where you alter the world by changing its background colour. You explore a dangerous grey land, unearthing coloured fragments on a journey to find your missing mother. As obstacles match the background, they disappear, creating new and exciting puzzles - full of peril, mystery… and colours unseen

Genres & Tags
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+17
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,669 reviews
story514 positive mentions
grinding103 negative mentions
  • Unique and innovative color-changing mechanic that creatively drives puzzles and platforming.
  • Beautiful and minimalistic art style complemented by a soothing and fitting soundtrack.
  • Engaging and emotionally resonant story with quality voice acting, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
  • Backtracking for collectibles is tedious due to lack of level select and forced repetition of entire sections.
  • Some platforming sections require precise timing and can be frustrating, especially without mid-room checkpoints.
  • The story and some narrative sections feel thin or underdeveloped and the pacing is slowed by long empty corridors used for exposition.
  • story
    1,162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Hue" is a simple, heartfelt tale about a boy searching for his missing mother, conveyed through narrated letters and environmental storytelling. While some players find it touching and well-voiced, others view it as minimalistic, occasionally pretentious, or underdeveloped, often serving more as a backdrop to the color-based puzzle gameplay than a fully fleshed-out narrative. Overall, it adds emotional depth and motivation to the game without overshadowing the puzzles, though its pacing and delivery through long, empty corridors can sometimes detract from the experience.

    • “The story unfolds through narration and collectible fragments of dialogue that reveal the protagonist’s search for his missing mother.”
    • “What makes Hue special is how it weaves its puzzle-solving seamlessly into a touching story about searching for a lost mother, adding a heartfelt narrative to the gameplay.”
    • “The story is touching and unfolds through narrated letters, adding an emotional layer to the gameplay.”
    • “The story pieces seemed pretentious at times (but still wholesome enough for me to not completely dislike it).”
    • “Honestly, my one complaint is that during the voice over story bits, instead of leaving you idle or doing them over actual puzzles, you traverse through a long maze of ladders, stairs, or jumps with no point except to keep you busy and to listen to the story.”
    • “There is a reason why they gave the game away for free, it is not worth a single penny, the controls suck, the puzzles are baby's first platformer that can sometimes be hard but just because of the terrible controls and lagged jump, also the game is slow af, not just the movement being slow but when they want to tell the story you have these huge empty rooms just walking while you hear a woman talking and I sincerely don't know a worse way to tell a story, so if you got the game for free I'd say it's worth a while for achievement hunting but even if it's at 1 dollar I can't recommend it.”
  • gameplay
    991 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Hue offers a uniquely engaging puzzle-platforming experience centered around a clever color-switching mechanic where changing the background hue causes same-colored objects to appear or disappear, deeply integrating color as both a visual and gameplay element. The gameplay is intuitive and steadily introduces new mechanics that keep puzzles fresh and satisfying, though some players note that the core mechanic's simplicity can lead to repetition and a lack of mechanical variety over its relatively short length. Overall, its elegant, well-designed puzzles combined with responsive controls and a soothing atmosphere make for a thoughtful and refreshing gameplay experience, especially appealing to puzzle enthusiasts.

    • “The core mechanic - changing the background color to make objects disappear or appear - is simply brilliant in its simplicity.”
    • “Hue’s mechanics are laser-focused on one core idea, and the way everything else — movement, level design, hazards — supports that system is mechanically satisfying and consistently fun.”
    • “The central mechanic — shifting the background color to make objects appear or disappear — feels intuitive and mechanically elegant.”
    • “A good basic story, interesting puzzle concepts and excessively dragging gameplay.”
    • “The way collectibles are placed in such a way that you can't be clever and get them and instead have to replay entire grueling sections of gameplay and you have a poor composite.”
    • “But the gameplay just gets beyond frustrating. That kind of gameplay just isn't fun, and maybe it's just me but it's just so unrewarding.”
  • music
    680 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming, piano-based soundtrack that beautifully complements the minimalist visuals and reflective, emotional atmosphere. It enhances immersion without distracting from gameplay, often evoking feelings of melancholy and warmth, and is considered one of the game's standout features. While some find it repetitive, most appreciate its soothing quality and the way it deepens the narrative and puzzle-solving experience.

    • “The soundtrack is a masterful blend of melodies that perfectly complements the game's aesthetic.”
    • “The game's serene atmosphere and haunting soundtrack immerse players in its narrative journey of discovery and emotion.”
    • “The soundtrack is equally enchanting, enhancing the emotional journey as you solve puzzles and navigate through the beautifully designed levels.”
    • “All I wanted to do was to turn off music in the game, didn't touch any other setting.”
    • “The soundtrack is forgettable, so it's surprising to see that the soundtrack has its own product page.”
    • “Music is pretty but I got tired quickly of the melancholic piano themes, which is 80% of the game.”
  • graphics
    482 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in this game are widely praised for their simple yet striking, minimalist art style that effectively uses vibrant colors against monochromatic backgrounds to highlight gameplay mechanics. The visuals are often described as beautiful, charming, and soothing, with some comparing the style to limbo but more colorful and hand-drawn. Overall, the graphics strongly complement the innovative color-based puzzle design, creating an engaging and atmospheric experience that many find visually delightful and integral to the game's appeal.

    • “The visuals are vibrant and minimalistic, with a color palette that shifts as you change hues, making the environments feel alive and dynamic.”
    • “The graphics really accentuate what the game is all about: color.”
    • “Hue is a beautifully crafted puzzle-platformer that combines a striking art style with clever gameplay mechanics.”
    • “From a graphical standpoint, the game relies too much on minimalism to hide the lack of thought and effort that went into the game.”
    • “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic low quality vector art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
    • “Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the mediocre 2D visuals.”
  • emotional
    137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Hue delivers a simple yet heartwarming and emotionally resonant story about a boy searching for his lost mother, enhanced by a soothing soundtrack and beautiful visuals. While some find its narrative thin or less impactful, many appreciate the subtle emotional depth woven through gameplay, music, and color mechanics, making it a memorable and touching puzzle-platformer experience. The game’s calm, reflective tone and gentle storytelling invite players into a quietly emotional journey that complements its clever puzzles and artistic design.

    • “Hue isn't just another puzzle platformer; it's a visual and emotional experience that makes you see the world (literally) from a different perspective.”
    • “With its innovative color-based mechanics, stunning visual design, and touching narrative, the game offers a perfect combination of creativity and challenge.”
    • “The ending was an emotional one as Hue's mother explains the lessons she hopes her son has learned from his journey, including that the experiences that shape us are built around how we react to them—how we "color" those memories.”
  • grinding
    118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in this game is widely regarded as tedious and repetitive, especially when backtracking is required to collect hidden items or complete achievements. Many puzzles, particularly in later stages, feel more about prolonged, frustrating setup or trial-and-error rather than genuine challenge, with frequent restarts and slow mechanics amplifying the grind. While some enjoy the unique mechanics early on, the overall experience is often marred by drawn-out sequences and lack of convenient level selection, making extended play or 100% completion a chore.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You can go back to hunt down the beakers but after finishing the game once going back just feels tedious.”
    • “The only real problem for me is the collectables: many of them were really fun and satisfying to figure out on the first go around, but it's extremely tedious to redo entire sections, puzzles you've already done, and long stretches of nothing but walking, just to go back for the ones you missed.”
    • “Getting the flasks for the final achievement is incredibly tedious, boring, repetitive, and doesn't test skill, but your ability to shove your face into every single wall in the entire game, just in case it's fake.”
  • atmosphere
    99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its calming, melancholic, and introspective tone, enhanced by a beautiful, soothing piano soundtrack and minimalist visual style. This tranquil and evocative ambiance deeply immerses players, complementing the reflective narrative and thoughtful puzzle mechanics without distraction. Overall, the harmonious blend of art, music, and storytelling creates a uniquely peaceful yet engaging experience that resonates long after play.

    • “Atmosphere and sound: the piano soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous and blends perfectly with the minimalist visual style.”
    • “Complementing the visuals is a subdued but evocative soundtrack that leans on gentle melodies and ambient tones, enhancing the game’s reflective atmosphere without ever distracting from puzzle-solving.”
    • “The hand-drawn art style, complemented by a soothing soundtrack, creates a tranquil yet evocative atmosphere that draws players deeper into the game's world.”
    • “By the tone and the music, (which is that cheesy, sad, slow, piano and dark, miserable atmosphere that is in like every casual indie game ever) you would think you are traversing through London during the plague, attempting to find your dead or dying family.”
    • “I unlocked the entire colour wheel but the puzzles were still too simple and the overall atmosphere wasn't really my vibe.”
    • “Mechanically solid puzzle-platformer with an oddly distant atmosphere.”
  • replayability
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a compelling initial experience but is widely criticized for its limited replayability, with most players finding little incentive to revisit it beyond collecting hidden items or achievements. Its short playtime and straightforward puzzles contribute to minimal replay value, making it more appealing at a discounted price. Some suggest adding features like a level editor or new game modes to enhance longevity.

    • “There is a beaker sidequest that encourages replayability.”
    • “The achievements for the game are simple to get if you play through the campaign, although it provides some replayability by hiding beakers around the levels which are easier to get once you finish the game.”
    • “As a speedrunner, I'm going to get tons of replay value out of it, but I could understand if one might balk at a $15 pricetag for a 6 hour game.”
    • “I wouldn't get this at full price though; it doesn't have a lot of depth or replay value.”
    • “This game is really short, and for that reason I can't justify anyone buying it at the full $15 price. There is a little bit of replayability with the hidden collectibles, but it doesn't really add much else to the experience.”
    • “Wish it was a bit longer, or at least had some replayability in the form of more advanced levels, new game+. As it stands right now, I've played it for a bit more than 8 hours, and that includes running around to 100% the game getting all the collectables.”
  • humor
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is widely appreciated for its witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and amusing death animations, which add a lighthearted tone to the puzzle-solving experience. Players find the absurdity and cleverness of the puzzles entertaining, often leading to laughter even in challenging moments. Overall, the humor enhances the colorful and vibrant atmosphere, making the game both fun and engaging.

    • “This game makes you think but also keeps you laughing.”
    • “If you're ready to embrace your inner Picasso-meets-Sherlock-Holmes, jump into Hue and prepare for a hilarious and colorful adventure that will leave you questioning your own sanity and wondering why life isn't always this vibrant.”
    • “The amount of times I died from something stupid (my fault of course) was hilarious and it just made the game fun.”
  • stability
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits a range of stability issues, with several users reporting bugs, glitches, and controller compatibility problems, especially on certain devices. However, it runs smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck and Linux. Despite occasional technical hiccups, the overall experience remains enjoyable for many players.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Runs great on Linux and Steam Deck.”
    • “It's cute and the premise/novel mechanism is fun, but the game is weirdly buggy.”
    • “It was really buggy for me with clicking, to the point of a challenge being unpassable.”
    • “Maybe just me, but there are some major glitches when playing with wired controller.”
  • optimization
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game generally runs smoothly and is well optimized across various hardware, providing a consistent visual experience even on low-end systems. However, some users report occasional stuttering issues after certain progress points, and the performance can sometimes feel under-optimized, potentially causing unnecessary stress on some computers. Overall, optimization is solid but with minor inconsistencies.

    • “The game runs smoothly on a variety of hardware configurations, and the visual experience is consistent and appealing.”
    • “Technically, "hue" is solid and well optimized.”
    • “Runs smoothly on low end hardware.”
    • “Also, for some unknown reason, the game started stuttering after I unlocked orange, forcing me to play at a lower resolution so it wouldn't stutter.”
    • “It's so unoptimized that it'll stress a computer even when minimized.”
    • “And the game runs at ~250 fps (at least on my PC), which is weird and feels like it's under-optimized, so it may not be suitable for all computers.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features impressive and emotionally engaging character development, especially notable through unique storytelling methods like letters and voice acting. However, some players may find the main character's development lacking and desire a deeper, lore-rich storyline. Overall, the character design and presentation contribute positively to the experience.

    • “The story kept me hooked from beginning to end, and took me on a rollercoaster of emotions as it shows some very impressive character development, especially for a character you aren't talking to in-person!”
    • “Players looking for a deep, lore-rich storyline may find themselves wanting more from the game's plot and character development.”
    • “Lack of main character development.”
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79%Critics’ scoreBased on 25 critic reviews
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6h Median play time
6h Average play time
5h Main story
7h Completionist
5-9h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Hue is a casual platformer game.

Hue is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 5 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 7 hours to finish. On average players spend around 6 hours playing Hue.

Hue was released on August 30, 2016.

Hue was developed by Fiddlesticks Games.

Hue has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Hue for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Hue is a single player game.

Similar games include Nihilumbra, The Pedestrian, Seasons after Fall, The Bridge, Unbound:Worlds Apart and others.