FlipSum - A Puzzle By Claris Richter

A simple yet extremely satisfying logic and deduction game with relaxing music is a like a gentle massage for the brain:)) Other than the ( exit game button ) it would have been fun to be able to compare your progress with the other players and see who is the current world champion especially that the game has infinite puzzles ! The one page rules should be simple to translate to other languages and get the game more fans around the world.

“FlipSum feels like Sudoku’s clever cousin who decided to wear a hoodie and speak only in numbers. You’ve got a grid full of digits and your job is to decide: flip them positive, negative, or cancel one in each row/column, simple rules, but the logic hooks you deep. The minimalist look and relaxed pace make it perfect when you wanna unwind but still feel sharp. On the flip side, after a while the puzzles can blur into each other because the core mechanic stays pretty constant. If you’re up for a chilled-brain workout, this one nails it. 『無限の数字の中に、ひらめきは一瞬だけ光る。』

FlipSum is a really simple puzzle game, but I actually liked how quickly it gets me thinking. The basic idea is that I have a grid of numbers and need to decide whether each number should be positive, negative or cancelled so that every row and column reaches its required total. It is clearly inspired by Sudoku, but I think the flipping and cancelling mechanic gives it enough of its own identity. I can understand everything I need to know very quickly, which makes it an easy game to pick up when I just want something quiet to play. The main puzzle mechanic is where most of the fun comes from. I have to look at the target numbers and work backwards to figure out which numbers can stay positive and which ones need to be flipped or cancelled. Only one number can be cancelled in each row and column, which adds an extra restriction that makes the later puzzles require more careful thinking. I like that the rules are simple but the actual solutions can take a bit of working out. It gives me that nice feeling of gradually spotting what the puzzle is trying to make me notice. There are four difficulty levels, so I can increase the challenge when the easier puzzles start feeling too comfo…

This is a nice game, but poorly implemented. With additionnal QoL features, this could easily be sold 5 to 10 euros/dollars. Pro: [list] [*] rules are simples [*] difficulty seems well targeted [*] this is a nice puzzle format overall [/list] Cons: [list] [*] screens are embarrasingly slow to load (4 to 5 seconds), each time you go from one puzzle to another, or when loading the title screen [*] there is a severe lack of quality of life ; I would recommand to implement the following: [list] [*] Very important: [list] [*] a 'quit game' button [*] being able to switch puzzle, or even better, to pick a puzzle number, or among a list of same difficulty puzzles (being stuck on one puzzle, and not being able to pass it is very frustrating) [*] an undo/redo option (with keyboard) [/list] [*] Somewhat important: [list] [*] adding more colors/types to color cells, to help with reflexion. I know it would break the ease with which one can use the mouse to color, but it could be only with left click, after choosing among a list of colors [*] adding free notes (with mouse drawing for example) [/list] [*] Minor: [list] …

This was actually fun to play. The soothing music while playing does not intrude at all and the puzzles make you think, especially after you THINK you have the correct solution and then you see something you missed and have to backtrack and fix it. Fun distraction and gets the brain cells working. Going to be awhile before I even attempt sensei mode.....

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