Hexic
Description official descriptions
Hexic is a puzzle game by Tetris mastermind Alexey Pazhitnov. Originally released as a free online game included with MSN Messenger 6.0, a commercial, enhanced, downloadable version, Hexic Deluxe, was released soon after. The Xbox 360 version, Hexic HD, comes preinstalled with all Xbox 360 premium units. It improves upon the original game with high-definition television support, achievements and score tracking through the leaderboards.
The game shows a board filled with red, blue, light green, dark green, yellow, pink, and purple hexagons. The object is to select three adjacent pieces and choose the rotation direction, causing the pieces to rotate until a match of three same-coloured pieces is created (a cluster) or until they return to their original position. When a cluster is created, the pieces disappear and new ones are added from the top.
Advanced strategies are required to handle bombs. These count down with every move you make. To clear them from the board, you have to form a cluster with it. When the bomb detonates, the game is over. You gain additional points by including stars, creating chain combos or by forming a cluster with a special pattern. When you manage to surround a single piece with six same-colour pieces, a flower star appears. Flowers stars rotate all pieces around it. If you manage to surround one piece with six flower stars, a black pearl is performed. To win the game in the Marathon mode, you have to create a black pearl combo. There are different final combos possible and the most impressive one requires you to create a flower of black pearls with a black pearl inside.
The main game modes for Hexic Deluxe and Hexic HD are: Marathon*: unlimited gameplay without time pressure until a black pearl combo is formed or a bomb detonates.
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Timed: get as many points as you can before time runs out. Forming clusters provides a time bonus and star flowers reset or expand the time.
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Survival: 50 levels where you need to score as many points as possible. Cleared pieces are not replaced by new ones and the remaining ones are locked into the board for the next round. These locked pieces can no longer be moved, but you can remove them by creating clusters with star pieces. The game ends when the entire board is filled with locked pieces.
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Critics
Average score: 81% (based on 13 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.2 out of 5 (based on 19 ratings with 1 reviews)
Colorful fun marred by frequent game-overs
The Good
The general feel and vibe to Hexic is pleasing. A subtle, futuristic soundtrack accompanies your rotating hexagons in order to achieve a 'match' -- i.e. bringing together three of the same colored pieces, which are removed from the board, a-la Tetris. If you can complete a 'flower' pattern, which seems to happen as much from happenstance as from deliberation, you get a little silver hexagon that alters the gameplay somewhat. It's like getting a Tetris -- great when it happens but it can be frustratingly elusive to achieve, once you have acquired a taste for them.
The Bad
The only problem is that after a few stages, the game starts introducing bombs. You are allowed 10 moves to try to clear them with two correspondingly-colored hexagons, or they detonate and render your game terminated. No fun at all! I was not looking for a harsh challenge when I loaded up Hexic, I just wanted to space out for a few minutes. No dice though, because you have to restart the game, and all your precious progress is lost. And by progress, I guess I mean points. It doesn't matter. The game is rather rude for interrupting your play session with its mean bombs. But I suppose the designers couldn't envision a game that doesn't put your enjoyment in frequent jeopardy. Horrible bastards.
The Bottom Line
A fun little veg-out game that is all too eager to jar you back to reality with its timed explosives. For shame. If I wanted my day ruined by bombs I'd go to Iraq.
Xbox 360 · by Chris Wright (85) · 2009
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Related Sites +
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Wikipedia: Hexic
Article in the open encyclopedia about the game. -
X360A achievement guide
X360A's achievement guide for Hexic HD.
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Sciere.
Windows Mobile, J2ME added by Kabushi. Xbox One added by MAT.
Additional contributors: Starbuck the Third, Kennyannydenny.
Game added September 27, 2006. Last modified April 25, 2023.