Can of Wormholes

Can of Wormholes is a block-pushing puzzle game about a sentient tin can that is carried between grid-based puzzles by a writhing mass of worms. The game is built on seemingly simple mechanics, but their surprising depth is showcased in a new way in each level. Bolstered by an innovative hint system that offers guidance without taking away the “aha!” moments, Can of Wormholes is a difficult puzzler that remains approachable for players of all skill levels, and it went on to receive the “Game of the Year” title at the 2024 Thinky Awards.

Each puzzle scatters worms of different lengths across a grid of tiles which can be solid ground, hazardous voids, or walls. Provided with Snake-style control of one of the worms, your basic goal is to fill one or more target holes by carefully maneuvering into it or by pushing another worm. As each hole can only be filled by a worm of identical shape and size, you will gradually master techniques to reshape, reorient, resize, and otherwise manipulate the blocks—and yourself.

Although each of the overworld’s sections introduces just one or two new mechanics, you’ll learn something new about these concepts in every level. Even something as fundamental as the rules behind your worm’s movement are nuanced enough that the first zone of this block-pusher is completely blockless without feeling too simple. As you observe how new mechanics interact with earlier ones, you’ll build your knowledge of a cohesive system of ideas that will entice you to keep exploring.

Even as the wriggling mass of interwoven concepts steadily grows, careful level design keeps it from writhing out of control. While grids in Can of Wormholes are generally compact and easy to parse, elegant solutions are hidden in plain sight. Insight-based solves allow the game to avoid excessively busy grids and keep the game challenging while avoiding veering into frustration.

Although difficult, Can of Wormholes stays approachable through its innovative “Gain Insight” hint system. If you come to an impasse, each puzzle has a corresponding mini-puzzle that presents a more isolated demonstration of the original puzzle’s featured mechanic. You will need to observe it carefully in order to truly understand the principle at play rather than just mimic its motions. Since you’ll still need to apply this new insight to the more complex puzzle, it provides just enough of a nudge for you to cross the finish line on your own.

Can of Wormholes is presented in a delightfully bizarre package. Small details like watching your worm-legs scutter around as you walk and the vibrant decor of the overworld fill the game with personality. While the game contains very little explicit narrative, there are just enough story morsels present to fill you with wonder as you explore the game’s strange world.

While the bulk of the gameplay takes place in self-contained grids, you’ll gradually discover clever meta-puzzles that went undetected all along. With clues woven into the overworld and within the grids themselves, the final act reveals just how interconnected each element of Can of Wormholes was from the start.

This description was written by Andrew Nicholson and edited by Oriane Tury.