Hook: Full Version by Maciej Targoni
Pushing buttons is an easy act, one of many easiest but simplest mechanical gadgets on this planet, straightforward to know. Hook: Full Version is designed round this act: merely urgent buttons to unravel puzzles.
Pushing All of the Proper Buttons
Hook introduces the button-pressing mechanic slowly at first; urgent a button retracts a line on display. The sport slowly turns into extra complicated, as some strains might block others, that are in flip linked to different buttons. That is the place the principle gameplay mechanic lies: urgent buttons within the right order in order that they don’t block and aren’t obstructed by – different strains.
Discovering the proper order for every puzzle is rewarding. It’s a minimalistic core idea, however Hook does a variety of cool variations so as to add complexity. For instance, later puzzles function switches which can be remotely activated throughout the display as a substitute.
Others function overlapping strains, which suggests the strains on prime have to be retracted first. One other variable is the flexibility to vary line instructions through line-rotating switches. The sport throws sufficient little adjustments to make puzzles really feel completely different from each other whereas additionally ramping up the problem in a rewarding method.
Quick and Sweeet
A lot of the sport’s 160 puzzles are rewarding, and since they’re bite-sized, it mitigates any frustration you might need if every stage was extra time-consuming. Nonetheless, later puzzles sufficient transferring elements to fulfill these on the lookout for a real problem.
General, Hook has a cell game-style method with quick puzzles that don’t take an excessive amount of time to finish.
Its minimalist method to puzzles bleed into its audio and visible presentation, too. The monochromatic method to visuals provides off a chilly, nearly bleak vibe.
Hook opts for ambient sounds within the background; ocean waves, chirping birds, gentle piano tones, and comfortable reverberating bells make it really feel nearly like a meditation app. I preferred these inventive selections, which give the sport a calming Zen ambiance.
Sinking the Hooks In
Being an entire version, this model additionally consists of Hook 2. It’s very very similar to the primary sport, providing extra of the identical – which isn’t a nasty factor – but additionally a serious distinction: the flexibility to rotate puzzles.
Puzzles in Hook 2 exist on a 3D aircraft versus a flat 2D one. This mixes up the sport in some enjoyable methods. Traces could be hidden or obscured if not seen from the proper angle, making digicam rotation an added complexity.
There isn’t a lot unsuitable with these video games, however they do have some minor points. For instance, I want navigation with a controller was extra exact, particularly in Hook 2, since many buttons aren’t perpendicular due to the digicam rotation, which implies that transferring to a different button is finicky. It’s not a serious difficulty, however I observed it every now and then in puzzles with many buttons on display.
One other nitpick is that I want the digicam would rotate a bit sooner in Hook 2, or not less than allow you to maintain down a button to maneuver it at a sooner pace. I think about this difficulty can be lessened by mouse or touchscreen controls on different platforms. Once more, a minor difficulty within the grand scheme of issues, however nonetheless noticeable.
The Verdict:
Hook: Full Version gives sufficient puzzles to maintain you entertained for a handful of hours. It’s a chill, simplistic puzzle sport with a satisfying issue curve. I loved my time with it and would advocate it to followers of the style.
Hook: Full Version is on the market through the Nintendo eShop and the Microsoft Retailer.
Try the official trailer for Hook: Full Version beneath:
