Hexcells (2014)

Developer: Matthew Brown
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Casual, Indie, Strategy
Rating: 4.8 of 5, 5,908 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.5 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

a calm but challenging puzzle game where you methodically deduce each hexagon's state in a minimalist, ambient setting.

minimalistrelaxinglogic puzzleambientdifficulttouch-friendlyhex gridshort

What players say

Players compare it to minesweeper with hexagons and extra logic rules, and they love that no guessing is ever required. The game is short, about one to two hours, with soothing music and satisfying audio design. Some wish it were longer or had more levels.

Screenshots

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More by Matthew Brown

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.