HEX: Origins

Review

What do you call a shape who has six sides? You’re dead right, it’s a hexagon. Now, imagine a multiple number of hexagonal tiles joined together, what would you call that? Wow, you guys are so good! It is indeed a pattern. Let’s make it slightly more difficult. What would you call a pattern of hexagonal tiles which must be filled with coloured hexagons connected together as a shape, while making sure one side of each hexagon touches another hexagon of the same colour? So. . . you’re stuck now, hey! It’s simple. . . it’s Hex Origins, of course!

Hex: Origins is a casual puzzle game which offers over eight hundred levels within four types of modes, as well as a level editor to create your own maps.

As you might already know, I am a big fun of puzzle games, and I must admit that Hex: Origins grabs my attention straight away. As I mentioned above, the game offers four types of gameplay, which are: classic, flow, exploration and treasure hunting.

The first two are very similar and have three levels of difficulty available. However, you must successfully win a certain number of stages to unlock the next difficulty. The main difference between the two modes is that in the flow mode, you have to make sure a flow of the same colour has been established between the emitter and receiver, which are located at each extremity of the pattern. For example, if the emitter and receiver are of the colour blue, you have to make sure a flow of blue hexagon tiles is connected from one to the other first, and secondly, that you manage to cover all remaining tiles to win that stage. The exploration mode is pretty much building a pattern until you use all remaining moves. And the treasure hunting can be unlocked when you find maps during the classic or flow modes.

The gameplay is very simple but extremely addictive. Let’s take the classic mode, for example; a pattern of empty hexagon tiles will be displayed on your screen. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll be presented with five different shapes of hexagons; some will have two, three or even more coloured hexagons. You might have two blue hexagons or one orange and one blue. What you have to do is to use those to fill in the pattern of empty tiles in a specific number of moves to win the stage. As soon as you win the stage, you will receive coins as well as other rewards, such as maps for the treasure quest levels, or power ups.  Power ups are pretty useful when the level of difficulty is rising. One of them is the bomb. By activating it, you’ll be able to clear a certain area which in turn can help you finish a stage.  Delete your previous move, or even recolour a tile, to help you finish the level and score three stars for it. With the coins you earned, you can purchase additional power ups at the store, which can be extremely handy if you have none left.

Graphically, the game runs well, looks ok and the soundtrack is very smooth.