Neuroshima Hex on iPhone is a quick-playing, well-executed version of the board game on iPhone.  Taking it one step further, the same developer (Big Daddy’s Creations) has released a puzzle version of Neuroshima Hex called Neuroshima Hex Puzzle.

Neuroshima Hex Puzzle contains 100 different puzzles to solve.  In each puzzle, players are given one turn to solve a situation.  Therefore, players get 3 tiles and they must place just 2 of these so that their base has more hit points left compared to all their enemies after the turn has been executed.  So, it plays exactly the same as the main game but is a series of 100 single-turn scenarios as opposed to full games.

For those who haven’t played Neuroshima Hex, it’s a turn-based combat game where player place 2 out of 3 drawn tiles on a hex-grid and each unit has different attacks (melee and range) as well as other skills.  When a battle tile is played, all units open fire (in their initiative order) and casualties are removed.  The goal is to destroy your opponents’ HQ tiles.  It’s an engaging tactical challenge.  [A full review of the iPhone game is here.]

Obviously, it’s an advantage to have played the main game but the puzzle game does take players through some introductory puzzles (and the app contains the full rules too) so new players could dive in with this app without playing the main game app.

I’ve played almost half of the scenarios so far and have really enjoyed it.  I actually played it a lot just before turning in for the evening on my recent trek abroad.  If you’ve played Neuroshima Hex then you probably know what to expect; also, it’s a bit like the iPhone Carcassonne solitaire mode.  It’s amazing how many options and tactics you can find from just placing 2 out of 3 tiles and there’s always the drive to find the solution especially when you know it’s in there somewhere.

My only main negative is that the progression through the puzzles – I like that you unlock 10 puzzles at a time as it gives you choice but I get frustrated that you have to solve all 10 to unlock the next 10.  The problem with this is that a single puzzle can block your progress and lock off the rest of the app.  I would much prefer it if you unlock each block of 10 puzzles by solving 8 or more of the previous block – that way you could still progress and come back to any puzzles that you struggled with.   A couple of other minor negatives are that sometimes I just want to skip the whole battle animation (not just tap to skip 1 stage of it) so I can fast forward when I’ve played a puzzle lots of times already, plus the short story text at the start of each puzzle is a bit silly but that’s easily skipped.  However, these are minor issues.

Overall, the app is an engaging challenge and really good to dip into as a time-filler (but often becomes engrossing).  It gets quite tough quite quickly so I’m under no illusions that I’ll be completing this any time soon.  It’s always a good sign if an app constantly makes you think “just one more level” and Neuroshima Hex Puzzle does that and still manages to deliver variety in the puzzles too.

As I expected from this developer, the app is extremely well executed, looks great and flows smoothly.  See the official site for more details.  I’m looking forwards to Big Daddy’s Creation’s  next apps: Army of Frogs and (especially) Caylus.

James.

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