OCTOPTICOM

[u]In short:[/u] OCTOPICOM is an entry-level logic game about processing light signals. The game follows the style of Zachtronics, but is much simpler and shallower. Optional optimization challenges are more demanding and account for more than half of my playtime. I found some enjoyment in the game, but since it's marred by bad UI, controls and design decisions I'm having a hard time recommending OCTOPICON at full price. If you like these kinds of games and can stomach a somewhat rocky user experience it's fine to pick up on sale. [u]In long:[/u] As with many light-based games, [b][u]gameplay[/u][/b] revolves around additive colour mixing. You start with a pre-built emitter for white light, some inputs applying colours and outputs. Using mirrors, colour filters and switches you are tasked with transforming the input into the required output. For how many parts crowd your toolbox, your selection of useful components is surprisingly limited. In the end 2 kinds of transistor-like gates (default open with off-switch, default closed with on-switch) and a delay/storage part will do 98% of the heavy lifting in terms of computational logic. The game is cycle-based, but their number is set…

Could do with a lot more polish but this is a novel and interesting concept for this kind of game so it's definitely worth checking out if you're into the genre.

Octopticom makes an entry into the computer-design puzzle space with a simple twist; thinking in colors. Seeing your creation beaming said colors everywhere offers a seratonin hit to rival actually completing the puzzle. Only negative is the UX being rough around the edges, though it's negligible once you work out the oddities.

Hits all the Zachlike buttons, and deserves more attention. The UI has some lo-fi retro charm but can be clunky, maybe a remaster could blow up bigger.

Reject electronics, embrace optics.

Elegante em sua simplicidade, este jogo é um bom passa-tempo de lógica, sendo divertido e educacional ao mesmo tempo. O jogo é um bom exemplo de como dá para fazer coisas legais sem gráficos exuberantes e sem exigir máquinas super potentes. Dá vontade de tentar montar um computador fotônico de verdade! O jogo usa o básico do básico de óptica, e te explica tudo que for necessário. Não há entrelaçamento de fótons, nem ainda Lei de Snell e espelhos/lentes curvos. Ainda assim, explora bastante o conceito de filtros, composição de luz e reflexão. Uma versão avançada deste jogo, envolvendo componentes ópticos mais diversificados, e até incluindo fenômenos quânticos como a própria polaridade - visível e mensurável macroscopicamente - seria o paraíso CDF. Porém, do jeito que está, não deixa nada a desejar. É desafiador e gotosinho. Recomendo pra galera cabeça, pra quem curte computação e/ou lógica, e pra galera que quer ficar empolgada com óptica.