Np Problems: Vertex Coloring
- November 18, 2019
- Fractal Projects
Get on Steam"Npc Problems: Vertex Coloring" is a minimalistic puzzle game based on a real computational problem, where you solve handcrafted instances of the NP-complete vertex coloring problem. The goal is to color the linked circles in a graph with the minimum number of colors, without having any two connected circles share the same color. The game features a relaxing neon graphics environment and original synthwave music. Note that this problem is NP-complete, meaning it could take modern computers years to solve, depending on the size of the problem.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and clever puzzle concept that is enjoyable and engaging.
- It offers a relaxing experience with no timer, allowing players to solve puzzles at their own pace.
- The visuals and music are appealing, contributing to a pleasant gaming atmosphere.
- The game is quite short with only 32 levels, which may leave players wanting more content.
- Puzzles can become repetitive and may be too easy for seasoned puzzle enthusiasts.
- Restarting a puzzle from the beginning after a mistake can be frustrating and disrupts the flow of gameplay.
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for being pleasant and non-intrusive, enhancing the overall experience without adding pressure. Reviewers appreciate the combination of great music and colorful graphics, which contribute to the game's enjoyable atmosphere.
“Overall, it's a good little game. It's not too taxing mentally, there is no timer, so there's no pressure to solve quickly. You can go at your own pace, and the background music isn't intrusive.”
“Great logic game, very colorful, with very nice music. It's perfect if you want a challenge.”
“The awesome music and graphics are very good too.”
“The background music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
“I found the music to be quite bland and forgettable, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's theme, resulting in a disjointed atmosphere that pulls you out of the experience.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their nostalgic Gen X/Xennial aesthetics, complementing the overall experience alongside the impressive music.
“Fun little puzzle game with nostalgic Gen X/Xennial aesthetics.”
“The awesome music and graphics are very good too.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's unique approach to puzzles, highlighting the engaging challenge of discovering strategies for the most optimized color arrangements.
“A puzzle different from conventional ones; it was very interesting to find strategies to solve with the most optimized color arrangement possible.”
“The game encourages players to think critically about their moves, leading to a satisfying sense of optimization as you refine your strategies.”
“I love how the mechanics allow for multiple approaches, making it rewarding to discover the most efficient solutions.”
