Strange Jigsaws

Strange Jigsaws is a cryptic puzzle game based on the idea of combining jigsaw puzzles with various surprising rules. Assembling the pieces of each puzzle isn't just a matter of finding the right shape and image; it's mostly about understanding the additional quirky logic that applies there. A spiritual sequel to the free game 20 Small Mazes, Strange Jigsaws is just as inventive and amusing while including even more puzzles.

The jigsaws are mixed with so many videogame tropes that you couldn’t sum up the entire gameplay if you tried, but just to give you an idea: one of the early puzzles involves combining hamburger ingredient pieces in such a way that rules like “cheese and tomato are not next to each other” are satisfied. Another one involves retrieving deceptive pieces outside of the puzzle area. There are also twists on automation games, clicker games, interactive fiction games, treasure hunt maps… The list goes on.

Part of what makes the game so lively and satisfying is that your brain has to fire up in many directions before locking in on the mental requirements for each puzzle. Does it involve logical reasoning? Pattern recognition? Language comprehension? Spatial visualization? You don’t need to be extra proficient in any of these, but you have to find which one to focus on.

Although the game doesn’t have much of a story going on, it’s got bits of funny writing (and a heartfelt undertone) that go hand in hand with the cheekiness of many puzzle rules. There’s no in-game hint system, but FLEB provides an official guide [archived version] on his website. Some of the puzzles rely on colors or sounds, and the game includes the appropriate accessibility options for players who might require them.

This description was written by Oriane Tury.