Schell Games’ Puzzle Sculpt departs from its Windows desktop min-sweeping roots, instead embracing spatial puzzle-solving on Apple’s Vision Pro.
Puzzle sculpting involves meticulously carving out a precise form from a seemingly random block using both logical thinking and a dash of good fortune. Accessible solely through passthrough views when enabled, Puzzle Sculpt’s single-minded focus demands user attention, precluding multitasking capabilities for now; a brisk tutorial guides players through mechanics, requiring undivided attention throughout.
The numerical value displayed on each cube indicates the number of cubes in the preceding row that are part of the completed sculpture. You can clear any row of blocks with a zero on its face, for instance, because there’s no block to hold it in place throughout the entire row. By folding your fingers together, you then direct your hand in the direction of the row of blocks to sweep them clear of existence. As the blocks effortlessly align, the thrill of satisfaction surges forth, akin to triumphantly erasing a perfectly formed Tetris line with a swift swipe of the hand.
Even when your entire row is obscured from view, the subtle interplay between light and shadow creates a refined yet necessary sense of presence to the sculpture, as if it were an object occupying its own space within the room. You may just as well pin an excerpt anywhere in the article and rotate it around to gain a fresh perspective on it from multiple angles.
The intention is to refine a masterpiece by systematically eliminating elements that seem incongruous and confidently preserving those that are undoubtedly essential. When three blocks are stacked consecutively and each bears the quantity “3” on its entrance, you can confidently identify them as belonging to the final structure.
With Schell Games claiming that they’ve merely scratched the surface of the game’s potential, it remains unclear just how many puzzles – a staggering 50 or more, according to their estimate – players will need to overcome to fully unlock the title’s secrets. I’ve indulged in countless hours of Minesweeper on various 1990s PCs, having previously devoted considerable time to solving Sudoku puzzles on paper, and Puzzle Sculpt effortlessly aligns with these nostalgic experiences. Here’s the improved text: That’s perhaps the primary sport I’ve played on Apple Vision Pro, which has been both okay and authentic enough to recommend to those with the headset who should consider trying out an Apple Arcade subscription to experience the satisfying feeling of clearing a line.
Puzzle Sculpt, a captivating new title from Schell Games, is now available to play exclusively on Apple Arcade.
