Quell Zen

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 32 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Quell Zen Game Cover
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Quell Zen is a meditative puzzle game featuring serene music and stunning visuals. The player navigates a droplet through 140 levels by sliding it to collect teardrops while avoiding obstacles. With no time limits or penalties, Quell Zen encourages a relaxed, contemplative approach to problem-solving.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews
music7 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • Quell Zen offers a relaxing and soothing puzzle experience with beautiful graphics and an excellent soundtrack that enhances the gameplay.
  • The game introduces new mechanics and challenges while maintaining the core elements that fans of the Quell series love, providing a satisfying level of difficulty.
  • With over 200 levels and a charming story conveyed through letters, Quell Zen is a well-balanced and polished installment that keeps players engaged.
  • Many players feel that Quell Zen is the weakest entry in the series, with increased complexity and longer levels that can lead to frustration.
  • The new mechanics and level designs have been criticized for being overly demanding, making the game less enjoyable compared to its predecessors.
  • Some players miss the voice acting and cohesive presentation of earlier games, finding the story and aesthetic in Quell Zen to be less appealing.
  • story13 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it minimal and secondary to the gameplay, others appreciate its intimate and emotional depth, conveyed through written letters. The narrative is described as charming and personal, resonating with players on a deeper level, particularly in its themes of love and perseverance. Overall, the story enhances the atmospheric experience for those who connect with it, despite some criticism regarding its execution.

    • “And the story makes it all.”
    • “It's an absolutely beautiful story of love.”
    • “Complete each section and, in a series of letters, a touching story unfolds.”
    • “The story was about as useless as in 'Memento', but now the competent voice acting is replaced with badly-written letters.”
    • “This is the only Quell game with a story, which is conveyed not through the backgrounds or voiceless pictures, but through the written letters.”
    • “Aside from the very charming Japanese theme in this game, there is the story.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall immersive experience while solving puzzles. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke a sense of tranquility and melancholy, although some note that it may not align perfectly with the game's Japanese aesthetic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's calming atmosphere.

    • “The simple but pleasing visual style is unobtrusive, while the gorgeous soundtrack infuses the game with a degree of melancholy.”
    • “This together with the accompaniment of a relaxing soundtrack enables a pleasant immersion as you progress.”
    • “I grew up with the classics and heard plenty of amazing video game music in my life - but whoever composed the music for this game needs to be paid much more than they currently get.”
    • “Unfortunately, the music doesn't seem at all Japanese to me.”
    • “It's still soft, soothing background music for solving puzzles, but I'd think they would choose something more fitting to the theme.”
    • “There are just some meditation-related buzzwords like 'tranquility' and 'zen' as well as pseudo-literary texts (that are completely unrelated to the actual game) thrown in, and the very good sound design includes soothing background music.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay features a mix of familiar and new mechanics, offering various modes and a unique puzzle experience across 13 chapters. While the game introduces innovative elements like the black hole and reverse direction, some players find the complexity overwhelming compared to its predecessors. Overall, it balances challenging puzzles with a relaxing atmosphere, appealing to fans of the genre.

    • “Quite a few different gameplay modes, including those that fans will be familiar with along with new ways of playing that are revealed as the game is played.”
    • “This game is very 'zen' both in story and in gameplay, and it's totally a 'must have' for every fan of challenging, but at the same time relaxing puzzle games.”
    • “The complexity is just too much – in theory it'd be great: more levels, fancy overarching theme and all the mechanics from the predecessors.”
    • “This game again adds new mechanics to the series, but unfortunately ones I mostly did not enjoy.”
    • “The general mechanic of this game is that you control a raindrop that, when you press a direction, constantly travels until it hits a wall or obstacle - similar to ice puzzles in many other games.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics are generally praised for being aesthetically pleasing and relaxing, complementing the soothing soundtrack and challenging puzzles. However, some users expressed dissatisfaction with the new Asian theme, preferring the visuals of previous titles. Overall, the presentation is well-received, contributing to the game's relaxing atmosphere.

    • “Nice, relaxing graphics and soothing soundtrack mixed with truly challenging spatial puzzles.”
    • “The whole presentation is aesthetically pleasing, so I can give the game a thumbs-up.”
    • “Relaxing music, great graphics, etc. The very embodiment of a relaxing puzzle game!”
    • “I didn't like the new Asian theme and aesthetic; Memento is easily better looking.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    Quell Zen excels in creating a refined atmosphere that blends elements from its predecessors with a captivating Japanese theme, making it a standout in the puzzle genre. The game features a heartfelt narrative that enhances the immersive experience, appealing to players of varying skill levels.

    • “This is where Quell Zen scores big - combining the ever more refined atmosphere of the first three games with a Japanese theme is a total hit. When I saw the game, I just wondered how the creators didn't think of this earlier.”
    • “Complete with a simple but heartfully told little story, Quell Zen is one of the most atmospheric puzzle games I've ever played, with a difficulty level matching my capabilities and attention span well.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability after achieving 100% completion, but players can still return to it occasionally for a relaxing experience.

    • “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.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find that while some levels in the game are cleverly designed, many are merely average, and a significant number are criticized for being tedious and frustrating, contributing to a negative grinding experience.

    • “A few levels are undoubtedly quite smart, the majority is decent if uninspired, but sadly there are quite a few bad apples that are just tedious and frustrating.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and often becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
    • “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the experience feel more like a job than a game.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect has received criticism for its reliance on advertisements, which users feel detracts from the overall experience, failing to deliver on promises of relaxation or uniqueness.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
    • “I find the in-game purchases to be overpriced and unnecessary, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The reliance on ads and microtransactions ruins the immersion and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply engaging, as it unfolds a touching story through a series of letters, allowing them to connect with the characters and their experiences on a personal level.

    • “Each section completes a touching story that resonates deeply with the player.”
    • “The emotional journey is beautifully crafted, leaving a lasting impact.”
    • “As the narrative unfolds, it evokes a profound sense of connection and empathy.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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