Syzygy

About

Syzygy is a single player puzzle game. It was developed by riccardo.caprari and was released on November 20, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Syzygy is an enigmatic game focused on the ability of morphing at will a square world into triangles and hexagons

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

Syzygy features a unique and innovative gameplay mechanic that involves manipulating different tile shapes, providing a fresh and engaging puzzle experience.
The game is visually charming with a minimalist aesthetic and a relaxing atmosphere, complemented by a well-designed soundtrack that enhances the gameplay.
The level design is clever and gradually increases in difficulty, allowing players to develop their skills and enjoy a satisfying sense of accomplishment after solving puzzles.

The game lacks a comprehensive tutorial or instructions, which may leave some players feeling confused about the mechanics initially.
There are some quality of life issues, such as limited audio settings and occasional control problems, particularly when using a controller.
The game's title and marketing may not effectively attract players, potentially limiting its audience despite the quality of the gameplay.

gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
52%
16%
Syzygy offers a unique and engaging puzzle gameplay experience centered around the ability to change the environment's tiling between triangles, squares, and hexagons. The game introduces new mechanics gradually, ensuring players are challenged without feeling overwhelmed, and the clever level design encourages thoughtful analysis of how these mechanics interact. While it presents a significant challenge, the polished execution and innovative gameplay make it a standout in the puzzle genre, appealing to fans of similar titles like Baba Is You.
- “Syzygy is a puzzle game with one major gameplay element: your character is able to change the tiling of the environment to either consist of triangles, squares, or hexagons between each movement.”
- “The level design is clever, and the mechanics are well-introduced and don't overstay their welcome.”
- “Learning how the mechanics interact with each other was quite fun!”
- “The main mechanic is swapping between a hex grid, a normal square, and a triangle grid.”
- “All the puzzles are solved by analyzing the level and the way the three tile shapes and other game systems affect the gameplay.”
- “I've been aware of this game for some time now, and was worried the gameplay might be too limited, that it would end up like a lot of indie puzzle games, with bigger and more trial and error type complicated levels instead of more challenging puzzles, but I was totally wrong!”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its polished integration with gameplay and art style, others find the warping effect—where the music speeds up or slows down based on the player's shape—irritating and disorienting. Many users expressed a desire for an option to disable this feature for a more consistent listening experience. Overall, the music is seen as a divisive element that may not appeal to everyone.
- “The art style and music might not be for everyone, but I personally love it!”
- “It fits very well with the gameplay, and it feels really polished, with the music and even the UI changing as you change the tile's shape.”
- “[i]syzygy[/i] is a fabulously fun puzzle that stands out by its unique nature and fun puzzles, and not by its artwork or music.”
- “The background music would be okay except that the decision was made to warp (speed up or slow down) the track depending on which shape you're currently displaying, so that the music becomes very irritating and disorienting, constantly changing as you cycle through shapes.”
- “It would have been nice to provide the option to toggle that off and just let the music play normally.”
- “I am not the biggest fan of the music in this game and it could be improved.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The game's graphics feature a charming pixel-art style that many players find appealing, particularly in the design of the main character and intriguing level names. However, some reviewers feel that the artwork does not stand out significantly and that the game's appeal lies more in its unique gameplay than its visual presentation.
- “Aesthetically, the game is very charming.”
- “The main character is adorable, the pixel-art style and designs are fun, and the level names are intriguing.”
- “The art style and music might not be for everyone, but I personally love it!”
- “The artwork does not stand out.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the unique mechanic where the changing geometry of the levels alters movement options, creating a sense of tension and adaptability that resonates with players. This dynamic interaction evokes feelings of frustration and triumph as players navigate the shifting landscape.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is intricately woven into the game's design, with attention to detail evident in character designs, background elements, and UI components, enhancing the overall narrative experience as players transition through different levels.
- “There are so many details to look out for when transitioning between the level geometries, whether it be character designs, background elements, or even the UI elements themselves.”