Hexologic Review

Hexagons Have Never Been So Fun
By Edwin Velez
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch
Released on June 12th, 2018 for Switch. Also on iOS, Android, Steam 
Developer: MythicOwl  Publisher: MythicOwl

Back when Sudoku was all the rage stateside (circa 2005?), I was swept up in the fun. Sure I was only in gradeschool, but even as a preteen I found enjoyment in the brain teasers, second only to chess and reading. But those hobbies died out the older I got, and sudoku quickly became a fad, like Silly Bands, Fidget Spinners, and countless other hot topics that grew cold by the following year. Still, it was and still is a great form of a puzzle. But like annual car releases, you have to keep your puzzles sexy, and entertain new ideas, features, and hell, new shapes. That’s where Hexologic comes in.

Hexologic is a unique puzzler, inspired by Sudoku in nature. Along a grid of, well, hexagons, it is your job to add one, two, or three units to each tile. The end goal? Build up and add across the tiles to match the number listed at their tail end. Not following? Check out the pictures below, get an idea, and then we will catch up.

Ok, hopefully you have a bit of a better idea now. So the concept is initially simple, but it quickly grows deeper and deeper. And it is damn good. I love the casual but effective approach the developers took at teasing our brains. Like any good puzzlers, Hexologic paces itself, teaching you the ins and outs of new concepts when introduced, all while continuously growing more difficult and becoming more rewarding in the process. It is easily one of the best puzzlers on Switch, making its mark in the genre for both casual and hardcore enthusiasts. For the hardcore fans, there are certain level sets that unlock periodically that will REALLY test your mental fortitude. But for the rest of us, the base levels do just fine, maintaining a challenge while staying fun and inviting. 

The zen music in the backdrop fits the bill, but it is not for me. I played with the sound off typically, but if you are into that sort of thing, the Asian string and flute filled tracks should do the trick. The color palette works wonders, however. The soft colors are flush with an easing vibrancy, and the clean, crisp look of the lines while actually playing are extremely sleek. It simple, but highly effective.

I did not intend on reviewing Hexologic, but I am certainly glad I was given the chance. It’s charming, relaxing, and has the right amount of bite in the challenge department. With over 60 levels, its $3 price tag is a no brainer. The experience won’t last forever, but what you get out of it you will easily remember. For those that enjoy a good puzzler, or miss the golden days of Sudoku and long for its uprising, please check out Hexologic.

*Note: A copy of the title was provided for the purposes of the review
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 Final Score: 9/10

+Simple, Charming, and Effective
+Relaxing
+Right Amount of Challenge