When you think of Tiles, the first thing that comes to mind, is probably a bathroom or kitchen, at least more so so than pretty awesome up and coming puzzle game Tiles from Romans I XVI Gaming.
Tiles is a modestly simple premise; get your little square (or rather, Tile) to the end goal. Easy peasy! Or, at least it is, until you have to decide what path to take, knowing at some point you're going to have to backtrack -- only problem, is that once you've passed over the tiles, they disappear.
It's moments like this that give Tiles a somewhat platformer approach to the game. Sure, Tiles as a whole is a puzzle game, but once you have to categorically take a rather "can I make it" way of thinking -- which, as you may guess, leads to a lot of frustrating moments; which is by no means a bad thing -- you begin to look at Tiles as less of a puzzle game, and more of an amalgamation of both dexterity and mind.
Tiles is the type of game that constantly punishes with each mistake, but overwhelmingly rewards with the feeling of real success once you beat a level.
Each time I'd fail a level, I'd mutter the same words each time "right, I've got it this time", and it's this type of addictive nature that alleviates you from any anger, by giving you the near unlimited option of just waiting, planning and simply praying that you've cracked it this time, only to probably fail a few more attempts before you figure it out.
Aesthetically, Tiles is a simple top down grid, with brightly colored tiles, and whilst this is at first glance, a very simple and minimal look, it by no means takes away any of the depth or ingenuity that Tiles has to offer. Simply put, what Tiles lacks in looks, it more than makes up with content, and boy is there a lot.
With 90 increasingly difficult built-in levels, there's enough to go at on your own for a handsome while, but Tiles also offers it's own built in level editor, where you can create and share your own levels, or just play some local multiplayer with up to four friends. There really is a great deal of content, more so than any generic puzzle game out there would give you.
But then again, Tiles isn't a generic puzzle game, it's a frustrating, punishing hell-spawn of a game, that also grants you immense rewards once you can master it. And for £2.79, it's a bloody good steal!
Review Overview
☆☆☆☆
Four Stars out of Five: Highly Recommended
Tiles (PC,Steam)
Summary : Tiles is at first glance, a simple puzzle game. But after completing the first few levels, it quickly turns into a punishing, yet rewarding gem, with almost limitless replay value, and at £2.79, it's great value too.
We were sent a review code for Tiles, but neither the developer or publisher had any influence in the review outcome.
I caught up with Austin Sojka, the creator and developer of Tiles, who very kindly sat and answered some questions!
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