Magicube

Magicube is a “simple” puzzle platformer. The platform aspect is only there for the gameplay, no dexterity is required, only thinking.

What I meant by “simple” is that the game looks cheap, and puzzles seem ridiculously easy at first glance. People who don’t read reviews have next to no chance to find this game interesting just by looking at the Steam page. And that’s a shame, because this is one of the most cleverly-designed puzzle games I’ve played.

In Magicube, there are only a few things you can do : go left, go right, jump (the height is just enough to go on top of a cube) and summon a magicube. You simply throw the spell left or right, and it summons the magicube when there’s an obstacle. The steam description says “no jump without thinking” but there’s also an undo button (it can be misunderstood).
You can only summon one magicube at a time, and the goal of the puzzles is to put it on top of the pillar present in each level. That’s extremely basic, the only other elements in the game are various kinds of cubes you can push, and that’s all.

The genius of Magicube is how it manages to create incredibly difficult levels with next to nothing; and they are also extremely small. It’s hard right from the beginning and one can only be in awe of such a good design. And I’m not overtstating it, you’ll really wonder how an empty level with 2 normal cubes can be that problematic.

Magicube is a prime example of quality over quantity, there are “only” 50 very small and simple-looking puzzles but they all have a precise, different and very clever solution. The game is 15-20 hours long, and considering everything I’ve said, that’s massive. The price is also as ridiculously small as the levels.

A perfect puzzle game and a very easy recommendation, I really hope to see more puzzle games from this dev.

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Developer: nebu soku
Publisher: nebu soku
Platform: Steam – Windows
Release Date: June 30, 2023