Puzzle Strike

About

Puzzle Strike is a single player and multiplayer strategy game. It was developed by Sirlin Games and was released on December 21, 2015. It received positive reviews from players.

Puzzle Strike is a deckbuilding puzzle game inspired by Puzzle Fighter, where players try to avoid filling up their gem pile. The new Steam version offers improved graphics, cross-platform play with iOS, and even-playfield competition. Challenges can be issued to Steam friends, and the game is designed to hold up at the expert level with thousands of games.

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews

replayability2 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Puzzle Strike offers a unique blend of competitive puzzle mechanics and deckbuilding strategy, rewarding foresight and adaptability.
The game features a high level of player interaction, creating a tense and engaging experience where every decision impacts opponents.
Character selection adds depth and variety to gameplay, encouraging players to master different playstyles and strategies.

The online player population is limited, making it difficult to find matches, especially against human opponents.
The user interface and presentation are criticized for being lacking and sometimes confusing, detracting from the overall experience.
The game has a steep learning curve, which may be overwhelming for new players, and the tutorial could be improved.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay of the game is a dynamic blend of competitive strategy and puzzle mechanics, emphasizing resource management and psychological tactics in head-to-head battles. While it features engaging deckbuilding elements and intense action, some players feel the interface could be improved and suggest additional options for chip selection to enhance strategic depth. Overall, it offers a unique and enduring experience for fans of the genre, though it may require some adjustments for optimal play.
- “Originally inspired by classic arcade puzzle fighters and modern tabletop design, the game carves out a unique identity by transforming puzzle mechanics into a head-to-head battle of resource management, timing, and psychological pressure.”
- “For fans of competitive strategy, deckbuilding, and puzzle-inspired mechanics, it stands as a thoughtful and enduring design that continues to offer depth long after its systems are understood.”
- “Good deck building mechanics that punish being too aggressive and not thinking about your next move, while giving you reasons to not just hoard buying chips.”
- “This game either needs a chip drafting stage before the game starts (adding to gameplay length, unfortunately), or it needs to let you see the random bank and then pick your character (this is how the remaining fans currently run tournaments).”
- “The mechanics are solid as the game is known for its deck-building elements, but can that do enough despite an interface that's lacking in several areas?”
- “I do wish there were some options in terms of gameplay regarding the choosing of chips in the bank, because it would have helped address some interesting issues of siding the bank to the host player's advantage.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The graphics feature character artwork that enhances personality while maintaining a competitive focus, striking a balance between modest aesthetics and strategic intent. Although less flashy than other digital card games, the visuals are memorable and complement the game's intense action and accessible gameplay.
- “Character artwork adds personality without overwhelming the screen, reinforcing the game’s competitive focus.”
- “It features intense action, simple pick-up-and-play gameplay, and memorable visuals and music.”
- “While the aesthetic may feel modest compared to flashier digital card games, it supports the game’s strategic intent effectively.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
- “Character models appear stiff and lack detail, making the overall visual experience feel underwhelming.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game's optimization is less about technical performance and more about the dynamic nature of human-versus-human play, where unpredictability and adaptability enhance the overall experience beyond mere efficiency.
- “The game’s true strength shines brightest in human-versus-human play, where unpredictability and adaptation elevate each match beyond pure optimization.”
- “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frustrating lag and performance drops during critical moments.”
- “Despite its potential, the optimization feels rushed, resulting in frequent crashes and long loading times that detract from the overall experience.”
- “The lack of proper optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems, leaving many players unable to enjoy the game.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While users appreciate the slick user interface, they report experiencing numerous technical glitches that affect overall stability.
- “There are ample technical glitches, but the UI is totally slick.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to have a surprising and significant amount of replayability, highlighting its simplicity and beauty as key factors that enhance the experience. Many consider it one of the most enjoyable board games available, thanks to its high replay value.
- “But the game itself, I think, is simple yet beautiful, with a surprising amount of replay value.”
- “One of the most fun board games on the market, with ridiculous amounts of replay value.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is noted for its intensity, complementing the action and enhancing the overall experience, while also being memorable and easy to engage with.
- “It had intense action, simple, pick-up-and-play gameplay, memorable visuals, and music.”