Quell

About

Quell is a popular and relaxing puzzle game with over 80 levels, known for its calming atmosphere, beautiful art, and challenging puzzles that require lateral thinking. It boasts a perfectly balanced difficulty curve, GameCenter achievements, and iCloud integration for syncing progress across devices. This universal app also supports HD and Retina displays.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 212 reviews

music30 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

Quell features beautifully designed puzzles that offer a satisfying challenge without being frustrating, making it a great mental workout.
The game creates a calming atmosphere with its soothing visuals and gentle soundtrack, perfect for relaxing gameplay.
With a variety of mechanics introduced as you progress, Quell keeps the gameplay engaging and encourages strategic thinking.

Some players find the later levels overly complex, leading to a trial-and-error approach that can be frustrating.
The lack of a 'retry' button after completing a puzzle can be inconvenient, requiring players to navigate back to the main menu to select specific puzzles again.
The graphics and overall presentation may feel basic or dated compared to more modern puzzle games, which could detract from the experience for some players.

music
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and calming qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing atmosphere of the gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful soundtrack, often likening it to instrumental jazz or classical music, which complements the game's visuals and puzzles perfectly. While some express disappointment over the lack of a separate soundtrack release, the consensus is that the music significantly contributes to a tranquil and enjoyable gaming experience.
- “The music is a spellbinding soundtrack that pulls you deeper into the game.”
- “The soundtrack to this puzzle game is so amazing and soothing!”
- “The music in this puzzler game is so relaxing, so much so that if you get stuck, it is almost impossible to rage because the music is so calming!”
- “Sadly, there is no separate OST for this series, and it's actually the only big negative point here - the soundtrack is extremely relaxing and tranquil here, and very good for meditation.”
- “I didn't listen to the music, so if you really care about the music of your puzzle games, check some of the other reviews.”
- “It also comes with background music and although it's only a single continuous loop, it works wondrously with the combination of other game sounds to create a relaxing atmosphere.”
gameplay
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
73%
6%
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics that gradually introduce new elements, keeping the experience dynamic and engaging. While some puzzles can be challenging and require strategic thinking, others may feel repetitive due to limited mechanics. Overall, the game offers a relaxing puzzle-solving experience with a soothing soundtrack, appealing to fans of the genre.
- “The game introduces some mechanics as you progress, making the gameplay more dynamic and challenging.”
- “The gameplay is simple, yet offers many possibilities, allowing for a relaxing experience.”
- “Quell delivers a soothing puzzle-solving experience with its combination of simple gameplay mechanics and a mesmerizingly relaxing soundtrack.”
- “There aren't many mechanics, so it gets repetitive.”
- “I must say some levels were just a bunch of plain trial and error as there is a button that lets you undo your last move and it was the best way to check all the possible moves when you are stuck, as some levels really require you to use so many mechanics that you can be sure you forget about one of them.”
- “~5-6 hours with little replay value, basic graphics, basic puzzle mechanics - it's a decent way to pass your time, but after a dozen levels I usually took a break because I was already bored.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic and basic, reminiscent of low-effort mobile or flash games, which may disappoint PC gamers expecting higher quality visuals. However, the calming art style, pastel backgrounds, and soothing soundtrack create a peaceful atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable for players seeking a relaxing puzzle game. While the visuals may lack depth, they effectively complement the gameplay and contribute to a serene gaming environment.
- “The visuals and gentle soundtrack create a peaceful atmosphere that makes it easy to get lost in.”
- “The artwork, animations, and music make this a really relaxing, calming experience.”
- “The soundtrack and visual art style add to the already great game, and help ease you into a relaxing state.”
- “The graphics are basic.”
- “While there are options to change the resolution for the mobile app, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the mobile app, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
- “Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The reviews present a mixed perspective on the story aspect of the games, with some noting a lack of narrative while others appreciate the subtle storytelling conveyed through visuals and music as players solve puzzles. Certain titles in the series are recognized for their heartwarming stories, featuring distinct characters like a soldier, a painter, and an old man, while others are criticized for having minimal or no story content. Overall, the storytelling varies significantly across the games, with some successfully integrating narrative elements and others remaining purely focused on puzzles.
- “As you solve puzzles, you'll uncover a heartwarming story that adds depth to your journey.”
- “By solving the puzzles (each game has more than 100 of them, plus a bunch of hidden ones) you will reveal a story, told by backgrounds, silhouettes, things, and pictures without any use of words.”
- “Accompanied by a soft and relaxing soundtrack, there's a slight hint of a personal story being told by the background images and specific year dates.”
- “There's no story here.”
- “Games of this series are the only completely story-free puzzle games ever that have managed to keep me entertained for more than a few minutes.”
- “I didn't like the achievements as I already stated, and I found the story and cleaning off the tile to get to the stages menu just extra work I didn't want to have to do.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its peaceful and relaxing qualities, enhanced by gentle visuals and a soothing soundtrack. Players appreciate the cozy design and harmonious soundscapes, which contribute to an immersive experience that encourages replayability. Overall, the combination of calming elements and engaging puzzles creates a tranquil environment that players find enjoyable.
- “The visuals and gentle soundtrack create a peaceful atmosphere that makes it easy to get lost in.”
- “Quell is a quite challenging puzzle game with a harmonic atmosphere.”
- “It also comes with background music and although it's only a single continuous loop, it works wondrously with the combination of other game sounds to create a relaxing atmosphere.”
- “The overall design and style of the game itself both also create a very cozy atmosphere, which adds some points for the replayability.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with most players noting that once completed, there isn't much incentive to return aside from occasional relaxation. While some features like jewels and par challenges offer slight replay value, many find that the experience can feel repetitive after a short time. However, the cozy atmosphere and simple mechanics make it a pleasant option for casual play every few months or years.
- “I liked the ease of play, but it also presents enough of a challenge in the later stages and adds some replay value with the jewel and 'par' features.”
- “The overall design and style of the game itself create a very cozy atmosphere, which adds some points for the replayability.”
- “Not much replayability after completing it 100%, but you can go back to it every couple of months or years and still relax and enjoy it.”
- “Limited immediate replay value, though with a long enough break, some of the more difficult puzzles could feel fresh again.”
- “Sadly, there isn't much, if any replay value to be had after you beat the game, but it's still a title I'd highly recommend, either this or its mobile ports to anyone who wants a 'simple' game they could just relax to after a long, hard day at work.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game compelling, as solving puzzles reveals a heartwarming story that enriches the overall experience. The challenges of collecting pearls while avoiding obstacles add a layer of tension that enhances the narrative's depth.
- “As you solve puzzles, you'll uncover a heartwarming story that adds depth to your journey.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users find the humor in the game to be exceptionally entertaining, often describing it as "too funny" and highlighting its ability to elicit genuine laughter.
- “I don't know about you, but that's just too funny!”
- “The humor in this game had me laughing out loud at every turn.”
- “I love how the game blends clever jokes with hilarious situations!”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization of Quell has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it is a poorly ported mobile app rather than a genuine PC game, capitalizing on its simplicity as a pathing puzzle.
- “Quell is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as if it were a real PC game. It's not; it's a cash grab from greedy mobile developers. The game is a very simple pathing puzzle game.”
- “The monetization in this game feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on features that should be included in the base game.”
- “I was disappointed to find that progress is heavily gated behind paywalls, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as achieving completion often requires perfecting each level and replaying them to discover hidden items.
- “Achievements are tedious, requiring you to perfect each level and play it a second time to find a hidden jewel.”
- “The grinding feels endless, making progress feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
- “Leveling up takes far too long, and the repetitive tasks become frustrating rather than rewarding.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report that the game's controls exhibit occasional bugs, particularly due to its design for touchpad use while relying on mouse pointer swipes instead of traditional arrow keys, which can lead to stability issues in gameplay.
- “The controls are sometimes buggy; the game is designed for touchpad use, but it relies on mouse pointer swipes instead of arrow keys.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced numerous glitches that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game offers a well-optimized experience for both perfectionists seeking optimization challenges and players who enjoy discovering hidden gems in each stage, enhancing replayability and engagement.
- “A simple puzzle game that offers a wealth of extra challenges for perfectionists and those who enjoy optimization challenges, with hidden gems in every stage for treasure hunters.”
- “The game provides a perfect blend of straightforward puzzles and intricate optimization tasks, catering to players who love to refine their skills.”
- “With its focus on optimization, this game encourages players to think critically and creatively, making every level a rewarding experience.”
- “The game has a lot of potential, but the optimization is lacking, making it frustrating for players who want to achieve perfect scores.”
- “While the puzzles are engaging, the optimization challenges feel poorly designed and often lead to unnecessary trial and error.”
- “The hidden gems in each stage are a nice touch, but the optimization aspect is so convoluted that it detracts from the overall experience.”