Dataminers

Relaxing and intuitive.

Dataminers takes the familiar logic behind classic mine-detection puzzles and transforms it into a more elaborate turn-based hacking adventure. Instead of dealing with a plain field of hidden explosives, players become ethical hackers breaking into heavily protected corporate data towers. Each location is essentially a dangerous digital environment where careful deduction, movement, and tactical decisions determine whether an infiltration succeeds. Developed by Electrocosmos and published by Application Systems Heidelberg, the game builds considerably more around its central puzzle mechanic than its simple premise initially suggests. At the heart of the experience is numerical deduction. Information displayed around the environment indicates where dangerous data mines may be hiding, forcing players to interpret clues before moving into uncertain territory. Anyone familiar with Minesweeper will recognize the underlying logic almost immediately, but Dataminers makes the formula more involved by turning the puzzle board into a place that must actually be navigated. Choosing a safe route becomes just as important as correctly identifying hazards, and careless movement can quickly unde…

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Very cozy, unexpectedly addicting, sometimes enraging if you're too confident in your ability to crunch numbers like I am. My hopes were high for the campaign mode, but this is actually a full roguelite-puzzle game with no story going on. Different modes felt a bit flat to me, with no real vibes differences between one another - for instance, I felt no real pressure in the modes that are supposed to make your palm sweaty even though I see how the design is pushing in that direction. Zen mode is totally my jam, a relaxed and meditative experience. The game nicely balances between deductive thinking and push your luck moments, and sound design really lean into the addictive component. Overall a very solid minesweeper-like.

I really like this game! The basics are quickly learned but the different items you can get and use during the campaign bring some new mechanics to every playthrough. I find the music and the voice actress very fitting and love that you are able to play in different modes depending on the difficulty you want for the game. If you want to fulfill the different challenges during the campaign it forces you to think your choices through and not just idly clicking the panels. And even if you want to do that, there is an option - play zen mode!

Just 3d minesweeper