ReThink

ReThink is a first-person beam reflection game about an inmate required to prove their worth through a series of puzzles. These puzzles are exclusively based on light, combining classic laser redirection with color mixing. With its beautiful futuristic environment, calming music and satisfying puzzles, ReThink offers a smart and relaxing experience.

A typical ReThink level consists of laser sources, fixed spots on the ground where you can activate cube relays, and receptors scattered around the room. You’re given a limited number of cubes at the start of each level, which you activate by clicking on selected spots. The goal is to set up the cubes so that the lasers are correctly redirected to each receptor, opening the door to the next room. The game stays on the easy side; many rooms can be solved with leftover cubes.

The challenging part—and what makes the identity of the whole ReThink series—is the color mixing: the lasers and receptors are all colored and they need to be matched. For example, a yellow receptor needs a yellow laser to be lit up; and to get that yellow laser, you need to merge a red and a green laser by sending them both towards the same cube.

The basic cube has a single beam output, but later on you’ll find cubes that split the incoming laser into two diagonal signals, or cubes that decompose the light into primary colors. The cubes can only be placed in certain spots and they can only be rotated in eight directions, so the placement never requires raw precision from you (contrary to games such as The Talos Principle), just a thorough study of the room.

Despite taking place in a giant complex which is evocative of Portal’s chambers, ReThink is a pure puzzler with an extremely light story. The atmosphere of the game is very relaxing, featuring clean futuristic visuals and a soothing iconic music that remains the same throughout the series.

ReThink was first released in 2017, but it was heavily reworked for a new version in late 2018. The original game included some timing elements, platforming sections, and a few bonus pieces of lore. The new version removed the action gameplay entirely, focusing instead on new and improved puzzles. Both versions feel like completely different games and, although the new ReThink is the main course, the original one is still available from the Steam launcher.

ReThink is the first game of a very prolific series divided into several branches:

• The classic ReThink branch refines the formula and gets harder and harder with each game, targeting a more experienced audience.
• The ReThink | Evolved branch lets you take and position the cubes wherever you want, bringing more freedom and new mechanics while being more on the casual side.
• The LightRay branch keeps the core of the classic ReThink but locks you in a top-down view, allowing a better overview of the puzzles at the cost of exploration.

This description was written by Andréas Andrieux.