More than a decade after its initial release, the Hexcells trilogy of logic puzzle games by solo developer Matthew Brown remains a benchmark for the genre. Released between 2013 and 2014, these titles offered a unique blend of Picross, Minesweeper, and Mosaic, wrapped in a minimalist aesthetic with a deeply satisfying interactive soundtrack.
The core gameplay of Hexcells involves a grid of hexagons, most of which are orange, with some containing guiding numbers. A number indicates how many of the adjacent hexagons must be colored blue. For instance, a '3' means three adjacent hexagons need to be blue, while a '0' signifies that none of the surrounding hexagons should be colored. The challenge lies in deducing which specific hexagons to color based on these clues and the information revealed as tiles are selected or eliminated. New mechanics are introduced progressively across the trilogy, adding layers of complexity such as row and column indicators similar to Picross, special cells that highlight surrounding areas, and bracketed numbers indicating whether blue cells must touch or remain separate.
A Series of Refinements
The original Hexcells, released in September 2013, was a strong debut but was considered somewhat easy by some players. This was quickly addressed with Hexcells Plus, released just three months later, which introduced more challenging puzzles and refined mechanics. The trilogy culminated in September 2014 with Hexcells Infinite. This final entry raised the difficulty to what is described as its absolute peak, offering larger or, in some cases, smaller grids and more intricate puzzle designs that felt witty and expertly crafted. The game's ability to re-teach mechanics through challenging scenarios rather than explicit tutorials was particularly lauded.
Enduring Appeal and Developer's Legacy
Beyond the Hexcells series, Matthew Brown has explored other puzzle genres with titles like SquareCells and CrossCells. He later ventured into more complex games such as Cypher and Alchemia, and in 2024 released Epigraph, a game focused on deciphering a new language. Despite these other projects, the author expresses a persistent desire for another 2D logic puzzle game from Brown that could replicate the cerebral satisfaction of Hexcells. While other games, like Tametsi, have offered similar experiences, none have quite matched the perceived perfection of the Hexcells trilogy.
The complete Hexcells trilogy is available as a bundle for a modest price, a value proposition that underscores its lasting appeal. The combination of elegant puzzle design, a pleasing visual presentation with subtle shattering effects upon tile elimination, and a relaxing, interactive ambient soundtrack contribute to its reputation as a standout in the logic puzzle landscape.