Picross 3D: Round 2

Genre: Picross Puzzle

Players: 1

.

Review:

Picross 3D: Round 2, released on 3DS in 2016, is a take on the Picross formula that has you solving puzzles in three dimensions, spinning the puzzle around to inspect its sides and marking or carving away blocks based on the number hints found on their sides. This game is the sequel to the 2009 Nintendo DS game Picross 3D, and while other regions got a physical cartridge, US audiences can only purchase this game on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

The presentation in this game is outstanding, with the blocks slightly rounded at the edges, and chipping away at them produces a satisfying crumbling noise, while correctly painting them can often result in them taking on a new shape as if you’ve carved away the excess. What’s more, the presentation here gives players plenty of options, both to select a preferred background image and preferred music to play as you’re solving puzzles.

While the gameplay here is based on Picross, the 3D nature of the puzzles means that your numerical indicators will work differently than a traditional Picross puzzle. You work with two colors, orange and blue, each which must be marked appropriately. And depending on whether the number on the face of a block shares space with another number, stands alone, or is surrounded by a circle or square, all indicate different things.

To the game’s credit, it includes an interactive tutorial that does a wonderful job teaching players not only how to play the game, but some of the proper strategies for figuring out puzzles. Unfortunately, this tutorial is somewhat lengthy, something that may be an unfortunate necessity given how this take on Picross is naturally more complex than a traditional Picross puzzle.

However, once you get through the tutorial and have a basic understanding of how to play this game, you’ll find it to be an extremely compelling experience, and if you’re anything like me you’ll be tempted to spend hours chiseling away at blocks to uncover the different figures inside. And although $30 is a bit pricey for a Picross game, this game includes 300 puzzles, so I’d argue that it’s worth that amount.

Due to the lengthy tutorial and more complex nature of this game’s take on Picross, it may not be for everyone, but I would strongly argue that most puzzle fans with a Nintendo 3DS should consider this an absolute must-buy, especially since it will become far more difficult to play when the Nintendo 3DS eShop closes in March. After that point, you’ll need to import a copy of the game and mod your Nintendo 3DS to play imports. Do yourself a favor and grab this game now so you can enjoy it without all that trouble.

tl;dr – Picross 3D: Round 2 is a version of a Picross Puzzle game that has players solving the puzzles in 3 dimensions, painting cubes in two different colors and chiseling away the excess. It’s a bit more complex than standard Picross, and as such the tutorial is somewhat long, but once you learn how to play this is an extremely compelling Puzzle game. In the US, this game is only available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop, so be sure to download it now while you can, before the Nintendo 3DS eShop closes in March. Puzzle Game fans should consider this a must-have, so don’t miss it!

Grade: A-

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