Oxytone

Genre: Unlimited Pattern Puzzle

Players: 1

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Review:

Oxytone is an Unlimited Pattern Puzzle game released on PC in 2023 and ported to Nintendo Switch in 2024. This game has players placing down hexagonal tiles with lines drawn on them, aiming to connect the lines with the aim of connecting as many as possible into one long chain.

The presentation here is minimalist but good, using a starry sky background and simple 2D objects for the hex tiles, with a shining light indicating where your chain ends. This is joined by a subdued atmospheric soundtrack that works well for the quiet and contemplative nature of the game. Overall, while not impressive on a technical level, Oxytone’s presentation feels perfect for the sort of game this is.

While multiple games have done variations on the “hex and lines” puzzle format (Kittens and Yarn was a particularly excellent take on it), Oxytone sets itself apart by not being a game about figuring out a pre-designed “bespoke” puzzle, but instead giving players a series of randomized pieces and letting them try to decide on the best placement. It’s a clever alternate take on the puzzle design that really helps to make for a compelling gameplay experience.

However, the randomized nature of the game design is also a problem here, as you can never be quite certain what piece you’ll be getting next, which makes it extremely difficult to plan anything out in the long-term. You’ll frequently find yourself really wanting to double back on a long line you’ve set up for yourself to rack up massive points, only to find the pieces you get keep forcing you away. You can dispose of pieces you don’t want, but with a limited supply this sort of choice seems self-defeating.

It would have been nice if there were some sort of limited power-up to connect to exactly the line you want to reach, or permanently block off a line that leads to a dead end. For that matter, some sort of indicator which lines are “dead end lines” would be extremely helpful. But honestly, even a “next piece preview” would have been nice. Also, the lack of a multiplayer is really disappointing. The one extra feature this game does have, touchscreen controls, isn’t particularly exciting, as this game plays far better with traditional gamepad controls.

Still, even with the frustration of being unable to effectively plan ahead, Oxytone is delightfully relaxing, a superb time killer and one that wonderfully captures the “just one more round” feeling you hope for with this sort of game. Yes, there’s plenty of room here for improvement, but what’s here is excellent, and well worth this game’s $8 price.

tl;dr – Oxytone is an Unlimited Pattern Puzzle game where players place randomized hexagonal tiles with lines on them to connecting as many lines as possible in a chain. This is a creative spin on an older puzzle design, and while there’s a frustrating inability to plan too far ahead, overall this is a delightfully compelling and relaxing Puzzle game well worth its low $8 price tag.

Grade: B-

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2024 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: Best Puzzle Game, Most Overlooked

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