SOLAS 128

Steer clear if you are looking for a casual game, nothing is explained at all. You are expected to work out the controls as well as the mechanics of the game on your own. While most is fairly simple, no where does it show/say (in fact there's virtually no text at all in the game only cryptic symbols) that to solve 1 room you have to go back and forth to previous rooms, sometimes ripping up the solution to try and solve the new problem in a room 2 screens away. The mechanics of the different colours and "devices" make no sense most of the time either. Steer clear if you want a game you can just "solve a few levels" in 5 minutes as all you will get is repetitive boredom and a huge dose of frustration. If instead you can fight this then it is maybe for you, but don't count on it!

This game really surprised me, I've played « laser + mirror » puzzle games before, yet this game has gone above and beyond with unique puzzle constructions with some really satisfying answers. The interactions in the entire game feel logical and lend themselves to bizarre complexities. Especially Area 7 was incredibly satisfying to play, the construction of which visually I can only describe as mesmerizing. One thing I do quite dislike is that not all achievements reward your hard puzzling and 100%'ing but rather put focus on things I find antithetical to enjoyment in puzzle games. However I have put that behind me and will do without some of the achievements and consider having 100%'d the game. All in all the developers, (including whoever worked on music and visual appeal!) did an incredible job. It's as of writing also on sale in a Humble Bundle, if you don't have it and find it interesting I'd highly recommend checking out.

SOLAS 128 takes a familiar concept involving beams, mirrors, and interconnected pathways and turns it into a sophisticated puzzle experience where rhythm is just as important as spatial reasoning. Developed by Amicable Animal and published by Armor Games Studios, the game revolves around directing synchronized pulses through increasingly complicated networks. At first, rotating mirrors and guiding a signal toward its destination seems straightforward, but the mechanics quickly expand into something much deeper. Different colors, pulse timing, collisions, filters, prisms, and other devices gradually transform each puzzle into a miniature electronic system that must be carefully understood. One of the game's strongest qualities is the way its puzzles are connected rather than presented as an ordinary sequence of independent stages. There are more than 150 puzzle screens spread across a larger interconnected environment. Signals can travel beyond the boundaries of individual areas, meaning something accomplished in one section may become important somewhere else. This structure creates a genuine feeling of exploration. Progress becomes less about completing a numbered level and more about understanding how different sections of an enormous machine communicate with one another. The puzzle mechanics become increasingly elaborate without losing sight of their basic rules. Players rotate mirrors to redirect pulses, manipulate their paths, combine signals, separate colors, and coordinate events so that everything reaches the proper location at the correct moment. Timing adds another layer to the usual laser-routing formula. Two signals may need to arrive simultaneously, for example, so simply finding a physically possible route does not necessarily solve the problem. This forces players to consider distance, synchronization, and interaction rather than concentrating entirely on geometry. Difficulty rises considerably as additional concepts are introduced. Early puzzles provide enough room for experimentation, while later sections expect the player to apply previously learned ideas in increasingly unconventional ways. There are moments when a complicated arrangement can initially look overwhelming, particularly when numerous pulses are moving simultaneously. However, solving these situations is extremely satisfying. Watching a previously chaotic network suddenly operate with perfect synchronization gives the game a distinctive sense of accomplishment. Its more demanding sections may frustrate players who prefer straightforward casual puzzles, but those who enjoy persistent experimentation should find plenty to appreciate. Visually, the game embraces a minimalist neon aesthetic that fits its electronic subject perfectly. Dark backgrounds make the colorful signals and geometric mechanisms stand out clearly, while the constant movement of pulses gives otherwise abstract environments an energetic quality. The presentation can become particularly impressive after completing a complicated network because the finished solution resembles an animated circuit board synchronized to music. Accessibility is also thoughtfully handled. Since color is mechanically important, the game supplements colors with recognizable glyphs and shapes while providing options intended to improve visibility and contrast. This makes the puzzle logic less dependent on color perception alone. Music is more than atmospheric decoration. The synthwave and chillwave soundtrack works directly alongside the rhythmic movement of the pulses, helping the world feel like an interactive audiovisual composition. Successfully constructed routes move with the beat, making complicated solutions satisfying to both watch and hear. Sound effects reinforce individual interactions without overwhelming the soundtrack. The result can be surprisingly relaxing during experimentation, even when the underlying puzzle is difficult. The game also avoids relying heavily on traditional stor…