A
A well-crafted puzzle game possesses similar characteristics to a well-written poem: exactness, gracefulness, and a gradual sense of meaningfulness that reaches its peak in the peaceful joy of a realization. Additionally, originality is crucial, as neither a poem nor a puzzle game can thrive in the realm of copying. Finity, an innovative and creatively designed puzzle game by Sebastian Gosztyla, encompasses all of these elements and beyond.

On a 4×4 grid, there are 16 tiles of different colors. You can move an entire row or column by swiping in either direction. The grid is circular, so if a tile is pushed off one side, it will reappear on the opposite side. The goal is to align three tiles of the same color, causing them to disappear from the grid and be replaced by new ones from the top.

Up until now, everything has been fairly simple. The unique aspect of Finity is that tiles have a limited number of moves before they become locked in place. This means that their row or column cannot be moved until the tiles are cleared. People who try to move tiles carelessly will quickly get stuck. Each move reduces the available options, and eventually a careless player will find themselves unable to make any moves, similar to being trapped in a prison cell. When you try to move a locked line, the phone vibrates and you can feel your mistake through your fingers.

Soon, Finity becomes apparent as a game that requires careful thinking and strategic planning, similar to a game of chess. It is necessary to predict the next move and ideally, the three subsequent moves. You have time to consider your moves, unless you choose the tempo mode where your actions are accompanied by a lively musical track that requires you to keep up with its fast beat. In this mode, the game takes on a calming and hypnotic quality as its touch, sound, and visuals come together to create a captivating mental challenge that is both relaxing and difficult.

Source: theguardian.com