The Hex

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,941 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Hex Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,941 reviews
story300 positive mentions
grinding42 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of multiple genres, providing a fresh and engaging experience.
  • The story is intriguing and filled with unexpected twists, keeping players invested throughout.
  • Daniel Mullins' writing and character development are exceptional, creating memorable and relatable characters.
  • Some gameplay segments can feel tedious and drag on longer than necessary, leading to moments of boredom.
  • The art style may deter some players, as it resembles low-quality flash games.
  • The gameplay mechanics are often simplistic and may not provide enough challenge for some players.
  • story690 mentions

    The story of "The Hex" is a complex and engaging narrative that intertwines multiple gaming genres, offering a unique exploration of video game culture and character development. Players navigate through a murder mystery while uncovering deep themes related to game design and the lives of its characters, resulting in a rich, meta-commentary that keeps them invested. Despite some pacing issues and gameplay that can feel tedious, the overall storytelling is praised for its creativity, humor, and emotional depth, making it a standout experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “What the hex lacks in gameplay, it makes up for with one of the most interesting stories I've experienced in any game, and one that could only be told as a game story as well.”
    • “The hex subverts your expectations as a player and individual, transforming its story and gameplay without warning, always working perfectly, and yet, leaving space for awe by showing you how it's done, effortlessly.”
    • “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.”
    • “The intro to the story seems extremely basic, or even oddly paced.”
    • “However, the story suffers from some pacing issues that are caused by the puzzles and gameplay.”
    • “The story was not good enough to make it worth the mediocre gameplay, often the 'unfun' gameplay had its reasons but still a game that is not fun just simply isn't fun.”
  • gameplay409 mentions

    The gameplay in "The Hex" is characterized by its diverse and genre-bending mechanics, offering players a series of short segments that shift between various gameplay styles, from platformers to RPGs. While many players appreciate the creativity and novelty of these transitions, some find the gameplay to be simplistic or tedious at times, often serving more as a vehicle for the narrative rather than a standalone experience. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging story and clever meta-commentary, though opinions vary on the depth and enjoyment of the gameplay itself.

    • “The writing and characters are very charming, the tone is on point with its creepy atmosphere, and the gameplay is surprisingly enjoyable and full of variety.”
    • “The level of interconnectivity between different genres, gameplay systems, and narratives is simply ingenious.”
    • “The gameplay evolves as the characters change and each one is given just enough screen time to flesh out their mechanics and character to a satisfying level but not so much that the pacing suffers.”
    • “I found the first two gameplay segments, [spoiler](weasel kid and chef bryce)[/spoiler] tedious and boring.”
    • “The gameplay is very basic, and kind of jank (by design, it will make sense in the end) and is secondary to the meta narrative.”
    • “The gameplay was so damn boring it totally ruined any interesting ideas or mechanics the game had to offer.”
  • graphics94 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players finding the art style unconventional and initially off-putting. While some describe it as crude or reminiscent of early Flash games, others appreciate its charm and how it complements the game's narrative depth. Overall, players suggest that despite the unappealing visuals, the engaging story and gameplay make it worth experiencing.

    • “Fun to look at, and it's a nice mix of different graphical styles for the different games.”
    • “The art styles are sometimes simple yet effective, and sometimes just astonishing.”
    • “An incredible game with an incredible storyline, visuals, and soundtrack!”
    • “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 got this game with a bundle and put off trying it out for a long time because, to be honest, I find the art style rather ugly.”
    • “It's a phenomenally ugly game, which is unfortunate, but if you can look past the graphics, there's a lot to like here.”
  • humor78 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and meta-commentary on the gaming industry, with many players finding it genuinely funny and engaging. While some reviews note that the humor can be hit or miss, particularly in relation to the story's depth, the overall consensus is that the game successfully blends humor with various gameplay styles and genres, making it a unique and entertaining experience. However, a few players felt that the humor sometimes lacked emotional investment or was overshadowed by gameplay mechanics.

    • “I didn't laugh this hard at a game probably ever, but the humor is mostly on point if you have played a lot of video games.”
    • “Very funny satirical game about the typical tropes in various video game genres with lots of surprises and cool moments.”
    • “The humor is great and the parodies of a wide range of different video game genres and tropes are a lot of fun.”
  • music54 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its variety and quality, often highlighting the composer's talent. While some players found certain tracks repetitive or less impactful, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience, fitting the mood of each level and contributing to the game's atmosphere. Many reviewers noted the soundtrack's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from upbeat to eerie, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The music, the artwork, the shock factor, the story flow.”
    • “A banger soundtrack to top it all off and you have perfection.”
    • “The soundtrack makes everything better!”
    • “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.”
  • grinding44 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often boring, with many segments feeling drawn out and lacking engaging mechanics. While some appreciate the story and novelty of the gameplay, the repetitive tasks and slow pacing detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to a mixed reception regarding its replay value. Many recommend approaching the game with patience, as the narrative may ultimately reward those who endure the more monotonous elements.

    • “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.”
    • “It's an interesting idea, and some of them are fun, but they can get a little tedious, especially since it's six different flashbacks in the middle of what's actually a really short story.”
    • “The secrets of Legendaria have way too much grinding/same battles; I understand that Daniel Mullins (creator of the game) probably wanted to point out how grindy many real RPG games are, but for the love of God, please, I almost stopped playing this game on my travel to the first boss.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming writing, eerie tone, and engaging storytelling, reminiscent of Daniel Mullins' previous works. While many players appreciate the unique blend of creepy elements and humor, some find the gameplay lacking, leading to mixed feelings about whether the atmospheric experience compensates for it. Overall, the game successfully creates a gripping and immersive environment that captivates players, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay.

    • “The writing and characters are very charming, the tone is on point with its creepy atmosphere, and the gameplay is surprisingly enjoyable and full of variety.”
    • “The hex is a masterpiece in game design, atmosphere, and storytelling.”
    • “Amazing story and characters, eerie atmosphere, and just the right amount of humor.”
    • “Reviewing this game is difficult, because I essentially have to judge if the story, setting, ideas, and atmosphere outweigh the terrible gameplay.”
    • “But all I got was a mediocre story sprinkled with eerie atmosphere.”
    • “I was expecting cryptic lore, unsettling atmosphere, and an engrossing experience, but after playing the main campaign, the game gave me something more than that.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, from deep connections with characters and touching narratives to criticisms of a lack of emotional investment in certain areas. While some players find it to be an unforgettable emotional rollercoaster that resonates with their experiences in gaming, others feel that the story can drag and lacks meaningful interactions. Overall, the game is praised for its humor and heartfelt moments, particularly in the stories of specific characters, making it a memorable experience for many.

    • “This game is an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “A must play for anyone who feels an emotional attachment to video gaming.”
    • “The story is surprisingly touching, and one of the funniest ones ever penned for gamers by a gamer.”
    • “It's just an inconcise, boring story that drags on forever.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability is notably problematic, with numerous bugs and glitches reported by users, including soft locks and performance issues on older PCs that lead to freezes and frame rate drops during action-heavy scenes. However, some players appreciate the intentional glitches that enhance gameplay, such as providing cheats or assistance during puzzles. Overall, while the game has its charm, its stability issues can significantly impact the experience.

    • “This game is riddled with bugs and glitches.”
    • “Not to mention it's buggy, and can soft lock in many cases.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the opportunity to revisit for achievements and explore different mechanics, others find the strict storyline and length detract from its replay value. A few users express a willingness to return after some time, but many agree that the game lacks strong incentives for repeated playthroughs.

    • “The replay value is amazing; I replayed portions of the game a few times to get all the achievements, which took me about 13 hours.”
    • “The storyline is fairly strict, but the secrets and different mechanics give this game replay value.”
    • “There's not much replay value, but I may come back to this in a couple of years on a snowy or rainy night to try and get the achievements I missed.”
    • “It took me about 5 hours to complete, and that's okay for its price, but I don't see this having any real replayability.”
    • “There is no replayability.”
    • “There's not much replay value, but I may come back to this in a couple of years on a snowy or rainy night and try to get the achievements I missed.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the game performs well on the platform, providing a smooth experience; however, some users feel that additional optimization could enhance performance further.

    • “The game runs smoothly on deck.”
    • “A bit more optimization would have been nice though.”
    • “The game struggles with optimization, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during critical moments.”
    • “I experienced significant lag and long loading times, which really detracted from the overall gameplay experience.”
    • “Despite the interesting concept, the poor optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
  • character development3 mentions

    The character development in the game is praised for its engaging storytelling and well-crafted designs, featuring humorous and interesting dialogue. Reviewers highlight the depth of the narrative, which 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.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game's monetization strategy may be misleading, as promotional materials suggest a whodunnit experience that doesn't align with the actual gameplay, leading to disappointment among players.

    • “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy without spending money.”
    • “I was really disappointed by how much the game pushes in-app purchases; it feels like a cash grab rather than a fun experience.”
    • “The constant ads and prompts to buy premium content ruin the immersion and enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy The Hex

Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5hMain story
12hCompletionist
1-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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