LightRay

Difficulty : 2/5 (Normal) Global : 2.5/5 (Good) Curator page : [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44695991-Anokturnus/]Anokturnus[/url] LightRay is the new ReThink spin-off series and this is its first game; it's actually exactly ReThink but locked in a top-down view. This game stays very basic, it's probably the ReThink game with the fewest mechanics and types of cubes. So if you've never played ReThink or thought the latest games were too hard, LightRay is perfect for you. And if you're waiting for ReThink 5 like me... well you'll still have a good time because Yaeko always makes good games. LightRay is pretty balanced despite being limited in its mechanics, you'll still find some interesting challenges (what often lacks the Evolved series). The game also takes place in the outside world, allowing for more diversity. ReThink has always been in the same giant white complex (and that's fine) but those environments you see in LightRay are different and more colorful, a breath of fresh air. I just need to mention that I encountered twice the same bug, I suddenly got stuck without being able to move the camera with the keys. Exiting/entering the puzzle fixes it but if …

The unusual presentation is rather confusing at first: It displays the controls, but doesn't explain the elements, the rules, what is interactive and what isn't. Maybe it assumes we've played previous entries in the series, which I didn't (I'm not interested in their 1st person view.) As a result, the first puzzle is to figure out the navigation and the gameplay, by trial and error, and by clicking on everything. Once settled in, it's pleasant to manipulate, to look at, and even to listen to. The one issue left is visibility. The first step of each level is to figure out the one camera angle that lets us see the entire puzzle. Basically, I kept wishing for more zoom out capability, Then I could never tell apart the mirrors and the splitters, for they are tiny in the distance, share the same shape, and bear too similar a mark. These 2 details I would gladly see improved for comfort. The interface is for the rest pretty neat, with a clear menu, excellent auto-saves (of each level, as is, viewport included, highly convenient,) plenty of options (keybinding, accessibility...) and nearly full-mouse control ('nearly' because the camera panning on screen edges happens to be glitchy, the…

When I play these games I have to lower the graphics as far as they go just to hit 20FPS, and it's worth it every time.

I really enjoyed this new touch on the ReThink-formula. In my opinion, the top-down view allows for a better focus on the actual puzzle, instead of having to run around in first-person and sometimes losing track of the overall picture. It's refreshing to see this new perspective in these games. There were only a few puzzles in here that required serious thinking, but I kind of like it this way. However, that doesn't mean that this is an easy game, and it's probably still too hard for the absolute casual gamer. Oh, and I loved the very last (extra) puzzle sooo much! This is the stuff I'm in for. The game has a few small bugs, like getting stuck with the camera (you can just click the button to get to the previous level to "fix" that or reload the game), a few small texture problems, and I had a broken cube in one level, that didn't even belong to the level, but nothing too serious or game-breaking.  Overall, I had a great time with the game, and I recommend it. I can't wait to see, what Yaeko is cooking up next. ;)

A great puzzle game with engaging puzzles and the same sophisticated environments and crisp graphics we've come to expect from this developer in the ReThink and ReThink | Evolved series of games. In my opinion, these LightRay games would be a great precursor to the ReThink series - both have engaging and intelligent puzzles and the LightRay puzzles are similar to the wall mounted puzzles in those games. These puzzles seemed easier than the ReThink series (or maybe I'm just getting good at them!) I must confess, however, that I really prefer the zen-like tranquility of the immersive open world ReThink and ReThink | Evolved games and the ability to wander freely and just enjoy the scenery, so I sincerely hope the developer creates more of them. The LightRay environment feels very artificial - almost like a model railroad kind of vibe - and the ability to rotate the camera but not pitch it up or down feels limiting. Still fun and enjoyable though. Similar to: Archaica: Path of Light [i](but LightRay is much more sophisticated[/i]) Rethink ([i]recommend playing LightRay games before ReThink or ReThink | Evolved[/i])

If you have played the ReThink series, then the design is going to look familliar. But the isometric point of view allows to grasp complex puzzles in an easier manner. LightRay trades the immersion, and some cinematic aspect of ReThink, for a better ergonomy. Consider it a more arcad-ish experience. Puzzles are moderately difficult. The hard ones were fair, and I have been happy being stuck on those. They obviously arrive at the end of the game. Only one puzzle has a few target hidden from the player's pov, if one forgets to turn the camera. Again, an easy recommendation.