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The Hex

Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
90%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
94% User Score Based on 2,778 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsLinuxLinuxMac OSMac OS
Buy Nowfrom $1.87
Buy NowGet on Steam$9.99Buy NowGet on itch.io Store$10

About

In "The Hex," players navigate a tabletop role-playing game come to life, exploring a mysterious map and uncovering the stories of seven different characters. Each character has unique abilities and mechanics, ranging from text-based adventures to action-packed sequences. The game's narrative-driven gameplay and innovative format offer a fresh take on the RPG genre, with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere and storytelling.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
The Hex screenshot
+4

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,779 reviews
story421 positive mentions
grinding65 negative mentions
  • Incredibly creative with a rich story that keeps players engaged.
  • Unique gameplay that blends multiple genres, providing a fresh experience.
  • Strong meta-commentary on the gaming industry and player-developer relationships.
  • Some gameplay segments can feel tedious and drag on too long.
  • Graphics may be off-putting to some players, resembling old Flash games.
  • Not all mini-games are fun or engaging, leading to a lack of overall enjoyment.
  • story
    1,027 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "The Hex" is widely praised for its depth, creativity, and intricate narrative structure, weaving together multiple character arcs and gameplay styles to create a compelling murder mystery set in a meta-commentary on the gaming industry. Players appreciate the rich storytelling, filled with twists and emotional moments, though some note that the gameplay can feel tedious at times, potentially detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences, with many considering it a standout entry in Daniel Mullins' portfolio.

    • “The story itself is thrilling, strange, and even flirts with horror at times.”
    • “It tells a story that could only ever be told through a video game.”
    • “The story is refreshing and novel for a video game; it's one of those stories that will stay in my mind and make me wonder about all the what-ifs.”
    • “However, the story suffers from some pacing issues that are caused by the puzzles and gameplay.”
    • “The narrative itself is painfully predictable and so there is very little tension as the plot develops.”
    • “The gameplay falters a little bit from time to time, and I'm not entirely sure if it's always in service of the story, but it never takes away from the interesting story.”
  • gameplay
    594 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "The Hex" is characterized by its diverse and genre-blending mechanics, allowing players to experience various gameplay styles that reflect the backstories of different characters. While many players appreciate the innovative approach and narrative integration, some criticize the gameplay for being simplistic, tedious, or lacking depth, often feeling more like a vehicle for storytelling than a standalone experience. Overall, the game is seen as a unique exploration of video game culture, with its engaging narrative often overshadowing the gameplay's shortcomings.

    • “The gameplay is fun, and the story is amazing.”
    • “The hex is a puzzle game, framed as a point-and-click adventure; however, you explore a number of gameplay genres throughout.”
    • “The gameplay never overstays its welcome before completely changing, so it doesn't ever get repetitive.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, everything is very surface-level - nothing will really draw attention for an extended period of time.”
    • “The gameplay can get a little tedious at points, but not annoying enough that I wanted to put the game down.”
    • “Unfortunately, the actual gameplay almost always focuses on shallow genre parody - every chapter has a unique brand of suck at play.”
  • graphics
    153 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players initially finding the art style unappealing or reminiscent of older flash games. However, as they progressed, many noted that the visuals grew on them, appreciating the unique blend of styles that corresponded with different gameplay genres. While some criticized the graphics as crude or cluttered, others felt that the charm and storytelling more than compensated for any visual shortcomings, making it a worthwhile experience despite its aesthetic flaws.

    • “The constantly fluctuating graphics style of the hex lends itself really well to the story and different styles of gameplay, staying true to the source material it's riffing on without straying from the aesthetic choice of the hex itself.”
    • “The graphics show various pixelated 2D video game styles and is quite nice to look at.”
    • “Despite very good reviews, the aesthetics were a bit off-putting for me and I hesitated for a long while before pulling the trigger and finally buying this one.”
    • “The weakest part is its pretty crude art style, but if you get beyond that, it's an amazing experience with several twists and turns.”
    • “I almost didn't play this game based on the art style alone.”
    • “It’s a phenomenally ugly game, which is unfortunate, but if you can look past the graphics, there's a lot to like here.”
  • humor
    124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, wit, and self-awareness, often drawing on meta-commentary about the gaming industry and its tropes. Players appreciate the mix of dark and light humor, with many finding it genuinely funny and engaging, though some feel that certain jokes may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with intriguing storytelling and inventive gameplay mechanics, making it a standout experience for fans of quirky indie titles.

    • “Funny, smart game with enjoyable characters and inventive use of its premise!”
    • “The writing is sharp, humorous, and deeply unsettling at times, which makes it hard to forget long after you’ve completed the game.”
    • “The game is genuinely funny and takes shots at everyone including the player, streaming platforms, the game industry, tropes within games, and indie developers just to name a few.”
    • “I was on the verge of putting it down several times, be it because it was unfunny, bordering on cringe, and tedious. What kept me hooked was the achievements, but that's just me.”
  • music
    86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and variety, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as memorable and perfectly timed to enhance key moments. While some found the music occasionally grating, the overall consensus highlights its ability to immerse players in the game's atmosphere, with unique tracks tailored to different levels and gameplay styles. Composed by Jonah Senzel, the soundtrack is described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and enjoyment.

    • “There were a few moments where the game changes, and the soundtrack slams in at just the right time, and the characters react to it, and it sets the vibes so well. It was done in such a memorable way I think about it weeks later and go 'wow, that moment was really cool.'”
    • “The soundtrack was also amazing and once again diverse with on-point sound design; I'll totally add a bunch of these tracks into my playlist.”
    • “You'll become helplessly invested in these meaningful characters, aided by a dynamite soundtrack that catches you off guard again and again.”
    • “Music's not very good, and playing it feels like playing an old Newgrounds flash game, and not in a fun way.”
    • “Yes it drags itself too much at some points, it could have had a more consistent soundtrack, and it could have been more special than it is, but it still is a very unique experience.”
    • “The music is ok I guess, I don't recall any moment where the music made me go like 'oh shit', but it's well used.”
  • grinding
    67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many sections described as boring or drawn out. While some appreciate the story and unique ideas, they note that the gameplay can feel like a chore, requiring patience to push through repetitive tasks and slow pacing. Despite these criticisms, a few players still recommend the game for its narrative, suggesting that those willing to endure the grind may find rewarding moments.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Unfortunately, when it comes to the hex, everything about the game was tedious, including the 'deconstructive' narrative which perhaps could've uplifted the headache-inducing gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay itself just wasn't particularly fun or challenging, often bogged down by needlessly tedious elements.”
    • “I wanted to explore the story, I just didn't want to jump through tedious gameplay hoops to do so.”
  • atmosphere
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, effectively complementing its dark themes and engaging narrative. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a gripping ambiance through its art style, sound design, and varied gameplay, reminiscent of Daniel Mullins' previous works. While some players found the atmosphere captivating and immersive, others noted that it occasionally overshadowed the gameplay experience.

    • “If you enjoyed Daniel Mullins' 'Inscription,' this game shares many of the same elements including meta commentary on games and game design, unsettling atmosphere, and an engaging mystery at its core.”
    • “The atmosphere is part of what makes both this and 'Inscription' so enjoyable.”
    • “The music and tone are also great, evoking the general feel of each of their game types in each stage, while helping to suffuse the inn with the dark and moody atmosphere that a murder mystery point-and-click adventure game should have.”
    • “The atmosphere ranges from eerie to intense.”
    • “But all I got was a mediocre story sprinkled with eerie atmosphere.”
    • “Reviewing this game is difficult because I essentially have to judge if the story, setting, ideas, and atmosphere outweigh the terrible gameplay.”
  • emotional
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from joy and nostalgia to sadness and inspiration, with many players noting its ability to create deep connections with characters and their stories. While some critiques mention flaws like rough gameplay and a lack of voice acting that diminish emotional impact, the overall experience is described as an emotional rollercoaster that resonates with gamers on a personal level. The game's unique blend of humor, touching narratives, and commentary on the gaming industry contributes to its emotional depth, making it a memorable experience for many players.

    • “This game is an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “The story of his journey is very inspiring and emotional.”
    • “At the end of the day, the true story of Rootbeer Bob and his place in all this was an emotional turn, one that makes any creative person contemplate their responsibility to both their fans and their creation.”
    • “It's just an inconcise, boring story that drags on forever.”
  • replayability
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it limited due to a strict storyline, while others appreciate the potential for multiple runs to uncover secrets and achieve completion. Features like chapter selection and the ability to carry data over enhance replay value for some, but overall, opinions vary widely, with many suggesting it may not warrant frequent revisits.

    • “The story line is fairly strict, but the secrets and different mechanics give this game replay value.”
    • “I really enjoyed and am currently replaying this game; the replay value is high, especially with it later being broken up into chapters that can carry data over to each other.”
    • “Plus a whole truckload of replayability thanks to secrets.”
    • “It took me about 5 hours to complete and that's ok for its price, but I don't see this having any real replayability.”
    • “There is no replayability.”
    • “Not very replayable, but still highly recommended.”
  • stability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with numerous bugs and glitches reported by users, some of which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences like freezes and soft locks. However, these glitches are sometimes embraced as part of the game's unique charm, contributing to its innovative storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Overall, while stability issues are prevalent, they can also enhance the experience for some players.

    • “In fact, there is another level of the game where it glitches and gives you cheats or help, and this help arrives as the puzzles show up, so you're not even allowed to try to solve them when they appear.”
    • “If your PC is older (like mine), some action-heavy scenes, especially the top-down shooter sequences, will cause short freezes and FPS drops, even with the quality bar set to lowest.”
    • “This game is riddled with bugs and glitches.”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid optimization, running smoothly with consistent performance on various platforms. However, some users feel that additional optimization could enhance the experience further.

    • “The game runs smoothly on deck.”
    • “It runs smoothly with consistent performance.”
    • “A bit more optimization would have been nice though.”
    • “You'll have to find a murderer while reliving the best and worst moments of the character's performances in their respective video games.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is highlighted as a strong point, featuring cool designs and engaging dialogue that enhance the narrative. Reviewers praise the excellent storytelling, noting that it culminates in a meaningful commentary on gaming and game development.

    • “Very good story and character development.”
    • “Excellent storytelling and character development culminates in a poignant commentary on gaming and game development.”
    • “Cool character designs and pretty funny/interesting dialogue every once in a while.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for poor marketing and branding, with the game's title "the hex" being deemed unappealing. Additionally, the promotional materials mislead players into expecting a whodunnit experience, which ultimately detracts from its perceived value.

    • “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra money.”
    • “I was really disappointed by the paywall mechanics; it feels like the game is designed to push you into spending more.”
    • “The in-game purchases are not just cosmetic; they significantly impact gameplay, which is frustrating.”

70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Buy The Hex

6h Median play time
5h Average play time
5h Main story
12h Completionist
4-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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