Khimera: Puzzle Island
- November 29, 2020
- Suits & Sandals
- 15h median play time
Get on Steam"Khimera: Puzzle Island" is a game where you solve nonogram puzzles to reveal pictures and progress through the story of Chelshia, Amelia, and Bernadette's adventure on Hanjie Isle. The game features over 280 puzzles, a tutorial for those new to nonograms, customizable options, and multiple control methods. This game is a spin-off of "Khimera: Destroy all Monsters."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming story and cute characters, enhancing the overall experience.
- Puzzles are well-designed and can be solved without guessing, making them accessible for both beginners and experienced players.
- The soundtrack is enjoyable and complements the gameplay, adding to the fun atmosphere.
- Some puzzles can feel too easy, lacking challenge for seasoned nonogram players.
- The automatic hint system can sometimes provide too much information, making certain puzzles easier than intended.
- There are minor technical issues, such as the lack of an undo option and occasional input problems when dragging to fill squares.
- story190 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as cute, light-hearted, and humorous, providing a charming backdrop to the puzzle gameplay. While some players found the narrative engaging and enjoyable, others felt it was uninteresting or skippable, primarily focusing on the puzzles instead. Overall, the story adds a whimsical element to the experience, though it may not be the main draw for all players.
“Fantastic picross game with a fun story!”
“The best picross game in years, with a ton of charming little story moments, cute pixel art, fantastic music, and personality for days.”
“Mix that in with Chelshia and her charming cast of supporting characters in a fun story filled with humor, and you're in for a good time!”
“There is a story mode in this game as well, but I didn't find it at all interesting, and ended up simply skipping all the dialogue just to get to the actual game.”
“Fine enough puzzles, really bad story.”
“The story is sweet but nothing to write home about.”
- music116 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and upbeat soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience and complements the puzzle gameplay. While many players find the tunes enjoyable and fitting, some note that the music can become repetitive over extended play sessions, particularly with certain tracks being reused across levels. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
“The art and story are really enjoyable, and the soundtrack is amazing (seriously, it doesn't get old!).”
“The music in this game is impossibly, unreasonably good.”
“Great puzzles, the levels make you feel like you're getting smarter as you progress, and an absolutely banging soundtrack.”
“The music can get a bit repetitive if you do many puzzles in a row, especially the mosaic puzzles which all share the same music track.”
“I found the music to be extremely irritating and distracting, but playing without sound is always an option.”
“My only criticism of the game is that the music and some of the background animations can get repetitive and annoying.”
- graphics40 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, featuring a charming pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for retro games, with cute character designs and vibrant visuals. While some players found the graphics less important compared to gameplay, many appreciated the overall aesthetic and how it complements the lighthearted story and engaging puzzle mechanics. The combination of appealing visuals, great music, and a quirky writing style contributes to a delightful gaming experience.
“Tons of puzzles, funny story, and a charming pixel art style.”
“Everything about it, from the cute cartoon graphics, slapstick writing style, banging music, and addictive puzzle gameplay come together into a great package well worth the asking price.”
“The graphics are excellent; the light storyline provides motivation to play more puzzles; the voice lines that play when you start puzzles are great; and then there's...the music.”
“I do recommend this game for the gameplay, and not so much the story or the graphics.”
“First off, the visuals.”
“Although insipid in its writing - the writing shares a vibe similar to the Nintendo puzzle games that practically dominated the 80's-90's era - there's a charm in the straightforward simplicity of the story and characters that pairs well with the puzzle genre and cutesy aesthetic of the game.”
- humor40 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and consistency, featuring funny dialogue, clever puns, and entertaining character dynamics that enhance the overall experience. While some players may choose to skip the story, many appreciate the lighthearted narrative and whimsical cutscenes that provide motivation during gameplay. Overall, the blend of humor with engaging puzzles and delightful visuals makes it a standout title for fans of the genre.
“All the characters are delightfully written, for a consistently funny and highly entertaining group dynamic.”
“The cutscenes with funny dialogue and wonderfully designed characters are just the extra motivation you need to keep hacking away at a particularly puzzling puzzle.”
“Add to that some great humor, a fun story, tons of unlockables, and you have a must-have for puzzle fans; more people need to know about this game.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around addictive picross (nonogram) puzzles, praised for its fun mechanics and variety of hints, though some players noted a lack of depth for seasoned puzzle enthusiasts. While the graphics and story received mixed reviews, the gameplay itself is considered engaging, with particular commendation for the final boss encounter that adds a unique twist. Overall, the game is recommended for its solid puzzle-solving experience, despite some minor annoyances.
“Fun picross mechanics with a variety of hints if you need them, all wrapped up with a cute little story.”
“Everything about it, from the cute cartoon graphics, slapstick writing style, banging music, and addictive puzzle gameplay come together into a great package well worth the asking price.”
“I must say, for something so simple on paper, it sure makes for some addictive gameplay!”
“Mascot bouncing during gameplay is sure annoying.”
“Marked by a very simple gameplay loop in solving nonograms, Khimera: Puzzle Island doesn't offer too much to be enjoyed for the pedantic puzzle masters out there.”
“I do recommend this game for the gameplay, and not so much the story or the graphics.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious and monotonous, particularly with the mosaic puzzles, which often involve repetitive and simple solutions. While the nonograms are not overly challenging, the lack of engaging plot or content contributes to the feeling of grind. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a downside due to its repetitive nature.
“The nonograms aren't as hard as some of the other games I've played, the plot/visual novel content is fairly sparse, and the mosaic puzzles can get a bit tedious since the constraints of the grid puzzle often mean that you're flashing through simple solutions (such as some large blocks of fully filled or empty content).”
“Only downside for me was that the mosaics are pretty tedious.”
“... but still, they can be a bit tedious and monotonous.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is primarily centered around its cute and wholesome content, which resonates well with players who enjoy lighthearted experiences. However, some users found the emotional engagement lacking, as they felt the game did not evoke strong feelings despite completing the story mode and puzzles. Overall, while it caters to fans of wholesome themes, it may not provide a deeply emotional experience for all players.
“Above all else, the bulk of what the game offers will appeal wholly to people who love cute and wholesome content.”
“If you like puzzles and wholesome content, this game has puzzles and wholesome content.”
- stability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with no significant glitches or technical difficulties reported. However, some users noted that the initial release had a few bugs, which are expected to be resolved with upcoming patches.
“There are no glitches or technical difficulties.”
“The game runs smoothly without any interruptions.”
“I haven't encountered any bugs or issues during my gameplay.”
“Initial release is a bit buggy, but it's nothing a few patches won't fix.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as very casual, creating a relaxed and easygoing environment for players.
