The Puzzle Maker: Cebba’s Odyssey Review

Genres: Casual game, Indie game, Strategy

Developer: Arcaneworks Inc.

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS

Publisher: Arcaneworks Inc.

The Puzzle Maker: Cebba’s Odyssey is a grid-based puzzle game created by Arcaneworks using the GameMaker engine. Admittedly, this game piqued my interest because older women are rarely shown on game covers, and I was eager to play something that relied on my head rather than my ability to think quickly or carry more weaponry. So, let’s check it out and see if the gears in my skull are still turning.

So, who exactly is Cebba? Well, she’s the titular Puzzle Maker, a smart woman who has spent her entire life creating the most fiendish of riddles. However, she has been searching for a successor for several years. Many have attempted and failed, but perhaps you will be different. To succeed her as the next great Puzzle Maker, you must solve all 200+ trials. Along the way, you’ll learn more about Cebba and her life because the puzzles are based on her experiences, and you’ll eventually figure out why she’s doing this.

I think the tale is decent, but not really compelling. It gives a justification for introducing the different puzzle aspects that appear throughout the game, and it is a welcome break from racking my brain, but it feels skippable. Actually, you can skip the story and return to the puzzles with a few button presses. I like the graphics and music, which have good sprite work that brings pawns to life and a calm soundtrack to help you think, which you will do a lot of during your playing.

Puzzles take place on a 7×7 grid and feature two types of units: player-controlled Agents and static, predictable Enemies. To solve a puzzle, you must employ your agents to eliminate all adversaries. It should go without saying that this is easier said than done, given that agents only have two actions: mobility and a unique skill, and there are several obstacles that can either help or hinder you when completing the level.

While these puzzles appear simple on the surface, they will put your brain to the test by requiring you to set up the correct chain of events to solve them. As you learn more about the Puzzle Maker’s past, more features appear, such as spikes, pushers, and different sorts of units and terrain. At times, you will have to make sacrifices in order to complete a level, such as fighting your own soldiers to drive them into the correct position or allowing them to die so that an opponent can eliminate its own buddy.

These levels can be extremely difficult to navigate, even in the early grasslands where you begin your trip, yet you are not completely alone. There are numerous helpful features to guide you in the proper route, such as redoing your moves and tips, which you may turn off if you prefer to solve it yourself. The tips supplied are sufficient to get you started and grasp the process, but they do not provide a complete solution. It’s up to you to figure out the steps, even if it means looking blankly at the computer for several minutes until something clicks. When it finally clicks, it’s quite satisfying to see “Puzzle Complete” appear after you’ve expertly employed every component and possibly found a more efficient solution than planned. If you are really stuck, you can skip the puzzle and come back to it later. There is no punishment, as far as I can determine.

But what’s the point of a Puzzle Maker if you can’t create your own brain teasers? This is why there is a Puzzle Editor. It starts locked until you beat the first chapter, but as you progress through the chapters, you’ll unlock the new puzzle elements, allowing you to create increasingly challenging levels. Of course, you can share your levels with interested people, such as friends, or upload them online. Now, the editor was in Beta at the time of review, but aside from a few things I wanted to clarify (such as how to rotate units), it’s simple to use and comprehend, so the only challenge with the editor is creating an appropriately complex puzzle.

Now, let’s get into the details. Puzzle Maker should not put too much strain on your machine, so you should have a seamless experience throughout; nevertheless, I did run into a few glitches. For starters, when I first launched the game, I took a snapshot of the title screen, as I typically do for reviews, and it crashed. Also, for some strange reason, when I used my controller, there was some artificial stick drift when I choose whether or not to enable general tips. Nothing wrong with my sticks, I verified later, it just did that. Finally, despite completing the in-game achievements, the Steam achievements did not unlock. An update addressed this issue, but nothing changed for me.

The Puzzle Maker: Cebba’s Odyssey is an awesome puzzle game that will challenge and amaze you at every level. The solutions are elegant and gratifying to work out, yet they never feel unjust. The only concern I have with the game is that it might use a little more polishing. I really recommend picking this product if you want to really put your intellect to the test by arranging the pieces and watching them fall into place.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 86%

Controls: 83%

Aesthetics: 88%

Content: 85%

Accessibility: 82%

Value: 84%

Overall: 85%

GREAT!

Summary:

“The Puzzle Maker: Cebba’s Odyssey” transports players on a vivid and cognitively engaging journey through imaginative settings replete with intricate riddles and hidden secrets. Its gameplay is both fascinating and demanding, requiring inventive thinking to complete each level. The aesthetics are outstanding, with gorgeously crafted landscapes that transport you deeper into Cebba’s world. The controls are fairly smooth, though some of the mechanics may take some time to perfect. For puzzle fans, this voyage is a gratifying and unforgettable experience that keeps them going back for more.