Polyoshapes Review

Game: Polyoshapes
Genre: Puzzle, Casual, Indie
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer | Publisher: UnSweet
Controller Support: No
Steam Deck: Tested Playable
Price: US $ 2.99 | UK £ 2.49 | EU € 2,99
Release Date: June 27th, 2024

A review code was provided, thanks to UnSweet

Placing shapes just the way they fit in a given space is something many people enjoy. Making things tidy and organising stuff is what made games like A Little to the Left and Unpacked so popular. Polyoshapes by UnSweet is based on the same principle but goes back to its basis, using wooden blocks that you can place.

Polyoshapes puzzle example. Nice wooden blocks, that have a woodgrain and shadow and just look really good — Nice wooden blocks, that have a woodgrain and shadow and just look really good

Fitting the Blocks

Polyoshapes will make you think of old-school wood puzzles and is pretty straightforward. You have a box and a set of blocks in different sizes, and it’s up to you to make them fit snugly. As the levels progress, the complexity increases, requiring you to figure out how all the blocks will fit.

You don’t have to worry about making mistakes, but you do need to finish a level to be able to progress. The game encourages you to try different ways to fit the shapes. Spatial insight might help, but I feel it’s very much about trial and error. There’s no rush though, so you can just just take your time and enjoy the process.

Polyoshapes puzzle example — The box comes in different shapes.

There are 60 levels to play through, each with its own Steam achievement. That means plenty of chances to show off your puzzle-solving skills!

All Natural Wood Colours

One of Polyoshapes’s standout features is its beautiful wooden aesthetics. The blocks look like they are made of wood in several natural wood colours. They fit well and are not too fiddly to place.

Polyoshapes puzzle example. The block you're placing is outlined in white — Filling not one but two books is an extra challenge. The block you’re placing is outlined in white.

I played the game on the Steam Deck and was happy that it worked well. The L2 and R2 buttons play a crucial role in picking up a piece and placing it, and the L and R buttons zoom in and out. Paired with soothing music, the overall experience is very calming, making it easy to lose track of time as you immerse yourself in solving each puzzle.

Polyoshapes puzzle example. There are subtle background changes too, this time a wooden background — There are subtle background changes, too.

Conclusion for Polyoshapes

Polyoshapes is a good addition to the puzzle genre. Its combination of strategic gameplay, beautiful aesthetics, and soothing soundtrack makes it a good game for anyone looking for a relaxing yet challenging puzzle experience. And the price is great for many hours of puzzle entertainment.

Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot