2023
Just trust me when I say that I get big M&M's: The Lost Formulas vibes from parts of this game, and THAT is something truly amazing
2001
In short, it's picross meets minesweeper.
That is to say, that although the premise and goal is identical to that of all the picross games you've played already, there is one major twist: when you successfully fill in the correct color of a square, the game clues you in on its surrounding squares (excluding diagonals), with a number of 0-4 indicating how many neighboring squares are the same color. This is the minesweeper element - sort of in reverse though, since the clues lead you to squares you're meant to click rather than avoid.
Why does the game need that? Well on top of things, the color clues are actually fundamentally different from your typical picross fare as well; the order of colored sequences isn't implied by the clues, only the number of squares present in the row/column for each color. This makes the game more challenging while maintaining the picross feel, something I personally appreciated.
The game is in Japanese only, I think? So it may be difficult to navigate the game's menus which are already a bit unconventionally laid out. But I feel like giving this game some active credit, since it's one of the few picross games I've encountered that genuinely innovates on the genre. At least, it's the first I've played that has either of the two mechanics I described, and the 2001 release date makes me believe that it might have started the ideas.
To my knowledge, the game's puzzle reach up to 30x20 size, which is pretty considerable given the challenge added by new mechanics.
If you can overcome the language hurdle, give it a go!
That is to say, that although the premise and goal is identical to that of all the picross games you've played already, there is one major twist: when you successfully fill in the correct color of a square, the game clues you in on its surrounding squares (excluding diagonals), with a number of 0-4 indicating how many neighboring squares are the same color. This is the minesweeper element - sort of in reverse though, since the clues lead you to squares you're meant to click rather than avoid.
Why does the game need that? Well on top of things, the color clues are actually fundamentally different from your typical picross fare as well; the order of colored sequences isn't implied by the clues, only the number of squares present in the row/column for each color. This makes the game more challenging while maintaining the picross feel, something I personally appreciated.
The game is in Japanese only, I think? So it may be difficult to navigate the game's menus which are already a bit unconventionally laid out. But I feel like giving this game some active credit, since it's one of the few picross games I've encountered that genuinely innovates on the genre. At least, it's the first I've played that has either of the two mechanics I described, and the 2001 release date makes me believe that it might have started the ideas.
To my knowledge, the game's puzzle reach up to 30x20 size, which is pretty considerable given the challenge added by new mechanics.
If you can overcome the language hurdle, give it a go!
the fact that this game (being an april fools' game) was intended to never be updated, yet already has had two in its first week, says a bit about the potential. It might not be a game that you'll play consistently over a month but the gameplay loop is pretty satisfying.
at this point, the game is a bit of a novelty, with no player stats or anything of the sort available, but the exaggerated, tongue-in-cheek animations plus the absurdity of gunplay between medieval knights is just plain fun. the game deserves some respect for its map originality too; the undulating and spiraling roads not only appear unreal and highly imaginative, bringing a visceral energy into traversal, but encourage players to think more actively about navigation and staying on path in a way I haven't really experienced in another battle royale until now.
the pacing is great too. i found that road encounters between you and another duo happen fairly regularly, but not too often; plus, the added challenge of attempting to aim while zooming through the hills is tense and exciting. games are also pretty short too (10 minutes maximum), letting you get back in it quick.
if you're a fan of battle royales, give knightfall a try; it's only 6 bucks at the time of this review. it's a simple game right now, but I've seen enough streamers give it attention that I'm willing to share my thoughts if it means the developers will think more about adding the depth that this game is definitely ready to fulfill.
at this point, the game is a bit of a novelty, with no player stats or anything of the sort available, but the exaggerated, tongue-in-cheek animations plus the absurdity of gunplay between medieval knights is just plain fun. the game deserves some respect for its map originality too; the undulating and spiraling roads not only appear unreal and highly imaginative, bringing a visceral energy into traversal, but encourage players to think more actively about navigation and staying on path in a way I haven't really experienced in another battle royale until now.
the pacing is great too. i found that road encounters between you and another duo happen fairly regularly, but not too often; plus, the added challenge of attempting to aim while zooming through the hills is tense and exciting. games are also pretty short too (10 minutes maximum), letting you get back in it quick.
if you're a fan of battle royales, give knightfall a try; it's only 6 bucks at the time of this review. it's a simple game right now, but I've seen enough streamers give it attention that I'm willing to share my thoughts if it means the developers will think more about adding the depth that this game is definitely ready to fulfill.