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Play Overview
Hexcells (2014) is a puzzle game that extends Minesweeper with a hexagonal grid and more ways to determine which cell contains the mines. You use the number clues on cells and rows to identify which are black and which are blue. It stands out for the laid-back aesthetic and the deduction needed to gradually decipher the grid through careful reasoning.
Each level is a grid of hexagonal cells. To complete the level, you must deduce the colour, blue or black, of every cell. When clicked, the black cells show you how many adjacent blue cells they have. On the outside of the grid, additional numbers indicate how many blue cells are in the corresponding row, and whether they are continuous or not.
As you use this information to mark black cells, further information reveals how many adjoining blue cells they have. This enables you to work around the grid identifying the colour of each cell until it is completed. A measured and considered approach throughout is essential as you carefully assess what information you have and what it can be used to do. However, if you do make a mistake, it simply increments the Mistake counter and you continue going.
The result is a game that offers a unique challenge in each of its hand-crafted puzzles. While each can be solved in your own way, they offer an unfolding web of information that has been beautifully planned. While it can get tense as you carefully asses your next move, the satisfaction you get from completing each level makes it all worthwhile.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Hexcells 17 months ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 5 months ago.
Each level is a grid of hexagonal cells. To complete the level, you must deduce the colour, blue or black, of every cell. When clicked, the black cells show you how many adjacent blue cells they have. On the outside of the grid, additional numbers indicate how many blue cells are in the corresponding row, and whether they are continuous or not.
As you use this information to mark black cells, further information reveals how many adjoining blue cells they have. This enables you to work around the grid identifying the colour of each cell until it is completed. A measured and considered approach throughout is essential as you carefully assess what information you have and what it can be used to do. However, if you do make a mistake, it simply increments the Mistake counter and you continue going.
The result is a game that offers a unique challenge in each of its hand-crafted puzzles. While each can be solved in your own way, they offer an unfolding web of information that has been beautifully planned. While it can get tense as you carefully asses your next move, the satisfaction you get from completing each level makes it all worthwhile.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Hexcells 17 months ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 5 months ago.
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Play Style
This is a Deduction game with Puzzle elements. This is a single-player game.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Duration
Play Time: This game will take between 2 hours and 5 hours to complete. The levels in the original Hexcells game typically take a few hours to complete overall, although the time varies from person to person as there is no timed component of the game. Hexcells Plus contains harder levels, so it typically takes longer to complete, and Hexcells Infinite has an unlimited number of levels, so it can be played indefinitely.
Benefits
This game is good if you want to:
Age Ratings
Rated 4+ on the Apple App Store.
Skill Level
8+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. The levels require patience and a careful, measured approach. Lots of strategy and logical thinking through the information you have is essential, and you also need to be able to cope with making a mistake.
Costs
Hexcells usually costs £2.49.
In addition to the original Hexcells, there is Hexcells Plus, which features more challenging levels, and Hexcells Infinite contains randomly generated (but possible) stages.
Hexcells
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.
In addition to the original Hexcells, there is Hexcells Plus, which features more challenging levels, and Hexcells Infinite contains randomly generated (but possible) stages.
Game Details
Release Date: 19/02/2014, updated in 2016
Out Now: Mac and PC
Skill Rating: 8+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Deduction and Puzzle
Accessibility: 21 features
Components: 2D Overhead and Grid
Developer: Ma 77 hew Brown (@Ma77hew_Brown)
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