We're delighted to bring you the latest edition of Alan Hazelden's Thinky Third Thursday newsletter. Alan is the founder of studio and publisher Draknek & Friends and designer of renowned puzzle games like A Monster's Expedition, Cosmic Express, and A Good Snowman is Hard to Build.
Recent news from Draknek & Friends
Sokobond Express, José Hernández's mashup sequel to Sokobond and Cosmic Express, is out now for iOS and Android. In the UK it already hit #6 in the puzzle category, putting it in great company!
Submissions for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant close in 2.5 weeks - if you're a developer from an underrepresented group working on a thinky puzzle game, we strongly encourage you to apply!
Some exciting LOK Digital news: it was recently featured in a double page spread in EDGE Magazine issue #402, is a finalist for Indie Game Contest 2024 in Strasbourg, and will be at IndieDevDays in Barcelona. Stay tuned, as we'll have more news to share real soon!
Recent thinky highlights
Slime Stretch, by Alan Hazelden (web) Push slimes around to reach the exit of each level. I made this game for the recent GMTK Jam 2024, and I'm very happy with the result - among other things, it has the high honour of containing some of my most Bonfire-Peaks-esque puzzle design since Bonfire Peaks.
CATO: Buttered Cat, by Team Woll and GCORES PUBLISHING (Windows / macOS) If cats always land on their feet, and toast always lands butter side down, what happens when you stick the two together? This is a charming, silly puzzle platformer about using the paradox to leap, jump and spin your way through the weird and wonderful levels.
Maxwell's puzzling demon, by muratsubo Games (Windows) This thermodynamics-focused puzzler fits firmly into a category of puzzle games I affectionately call "cursed" - it's not for casual players, but fans of hard block-pushing games might find that this becomes their new obsession.
Can of Wormholes, by munted finger (Nintendo Switch release) One of the best puzzle games of 2023 is now available for Nintendo Switch! Can of Wormholes is a delight, and it seems perfect for Switch.
Sokobond Express, by José Hernández and Draknek & Friends (iOS / Android release) As mentioned above, Sokobond Express is now available for iOS and Android. Our latest published title, it feels very at home on mobile and we think you'll love its puzzle pathfinding. If you do enjoy it, please consider leaving a review, it'll be a great help!
UFO 50, by Mossmouth (Windows) And finally, this is not primarily a puzzle game, but it does have puzzle games in it and one of the categories you can filter games by is "thinky"! UFO 50 is a collection of 50 games made by a fictional company for an alternate history games console. I haven't had time to dive in myself yet; it sounds like many games won't be for everyone but the variety should mean there's at least a few that you'll love.
Upcoming games to watch for
Miss Paint, by Twice Twice Studios (Windows / macOS demo available) Use simple drawing tools to edit an image that's also a platforming level. I had a pleasant time with the demo - it looks simple but it surprised me a few times.
Locator, by Dormin (Windows open playtest available) Fans of deduction games like Return of the Obra Dinn and The Case of the Golden Idol should check out Locator - a sci-fi game about receiving photos from a crashed astronaut and figuring out where they were taken. I had a great time playing the playtest build and am looking forward to more!
Thinky releases from the past month
Free games:
- Slime Stretch, by Alan Hazelden
- Mushroom Picking, by Nyri0
- Get Some Helium, by LightPotato
- Noctiluca, by Le Slo
- The Inspector, by Drowning Fish
- Thicket, by RETROWILL
- Screen-Crossed Lovers, by Maid
- Little Dipper's Big Adventure, by Pip and Aspen
- Many other games made for GMTK Jam
- Reversi Sokoban, by yuji_ap
- Book Presser, by regularzuzu
- AKKETT, by TENEX_KEZIKAI
- ColorCoordination, by El Demso
- Reliquia Park, by Parachor
- SAY>HI, by bylin
- Croquet Conundrum, by Lummie Thief
- Circlemount, by Hempuli
- Raide, by Kultisti
- Freshly Frosted (iOS / Android release), by The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild and Snapbreak Games
- Carrie's Adventures in Substandard Piping, by Dee <3
Paid games:
- Divide By Sheep 2, by Victor Solodilov, Denis Novikov and tinyBuild ($4.99)
- Ducks in a Row, by Goofy Gourd Studios ($5.99)
- Tactical Breach Wizards, by Suspicious Developments ($19.99)
- Puzzle Dungeon!! Earthmage Erin, by Starpixel Studios ($4.90)
- Can of Wormholes (Nintendo Switch release), by munted finger ($19.99)
- Maxwell's puzzling demon, by muratsubo Games ($14.99)
- MAZAICA, by Hamster On Coke Games ($2.99)
- CATO: Buttered Cat, by Team Woll and GCORES PUBLISHING ($9.89)
- Line Time, by FaMo9 Studio and 2P Games ($5.39)
- Sokobond Express (iOS / Android release), by José Hernández and Draknek & Friends ($5.99)
New demos:
- Puzzle Depot, by Laughing Manatee Games
- Nurikabe World, by Hemisquare
- Miss Paint, by Twice Twice Studios
- Block Shop, by Foolbox Studio
- Zen Garden, by Ineko Games
- Total Reload, by TORSHOCK
- CLONY, by YORUROJI
- Locator (Playtest), by Dormin
That's it!
What did you think of the slightly different format this month? Please get in touch with your feedback!
This article is also available via Alan Hazelden's Thinky Third Thursday newsletter.
Disclaimer: Thinky Games is part of the Carina Initiatives and may have professional relationships with individuals and businesses related to the subject of this article. Please see our Editorial Policy for details.
