Puzzle Poker
- December 18, 2017
- Kevin Ryan
Get on Steam"Puzzle Poker" is a casual game with a poker theme, designed by the creator of "The Incredible Machine." It features four types of games: Chips Mania, Casual, Challenging, and Unlimited Time, each offering a unique level of difficulty. The objective is to slide poker cards to make the best combinations before the timer runs out, with options to cash in early for bonus chips and use hints strategically. The game includes Steam achievements and online top scores.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and enjoyable twist on traditional poker mechanics, making it a fun time-waster.
- Players appreciate the developer's responsiveness to feedback, particularly in making achievements more attainable.
- The game is easy to learn and can provide a sense of joy and hope, as experienced by some players during difficult times.
- The game suffers from technical limitations, including a lack of resolution options and a simplistic interface that feels more suited for mobile devices.
- Many players find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, especially when chasing difficult achievements that seem nearly impossible to obtain.
- The visual presentation is considered subpar, with static graphics and unskippable animations that detract from the overall experience.
- graphics5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally criticized for their lack of resolution options and minimal visual enhancements, with many reviewers describing the artwork as mediocre and the overall presentation as subpar, likening it to outdated games. While some users found the graphics acceptable and enjoyable, the consensus leans towards disappointment in the visual quality compared to modern standards.
“Good graphics, music is okay, and loads of fun.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“While the artwork itself might be considered passable, the visual presentation here is negligible; it might as well be a slideshow or a YouTube video.”
“Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Asteroids had more advanced animation and visuals than this game does.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as jazzy and generally enjoyable, providing a relaxing atmosphere, though some users find it monotonous and prefer the option to adjust audio settings. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the experience, it may not appeal to everyone due to its repetitive nature.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“Good graphics, music is okay, and loads of fun.”
“Graphics are what you'd expect, music is jazzy, sounds are annoying.”
“Not expecting FOV sliders or 4K textures or anything in a $3 card game, but the current options menu is windowed/full-screen and two audio sliders (to get rid of the monotonous music or the sound effects).”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have noted a positive change in the game's grinding aspect, as developers have reduced the difficulty of achievements, making them more attainable. However, some still feel that significant grinding is required for certain in-game tasks, such as accumulating chips or completing challenges.
“I appreciate that the dev listened to players and made the achievements less grindy (and no longer impossible).”
“Chasing achievements requires grinding a thousand hands or a million chips.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story conveys a powerful message about resilience and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that perseverance in the face of adversity can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
“The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its fun and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of the best card games, making it an enjoyable and budget-friendly option for players looking for a lighthearted experience.
“The good: like all of the best card games, this is a fun, budget-priced time waster with a simple but clever mechanic.”
