A paradox can be best described as something that contradicts itself while being true and a reality at the same time. Famous paradoxes include feeling more tired when standing than walking and how it is impossible for God to not exist if he happens to be omnipotent. These really act as brain teasers and ‘Super Hexagon’ is no exception. It has a gameplay that is so simple that it can be considered trivial and downright ancient in design, but actually playing through it is simply mind blowing.
Gameplay
There is nothing too complicated about the game at all; the player is taken to a level where they have control of a small triangle that has to be maneuvered between different shapes that move across the screen and act as obstacles. Touching any one of these walls will result in an instant loss. This seems simple enough, but the reality is that it is actually really difficult.
Playing the game reveals to what extent it can cause the player to tear their hair out. The shapes that always rotate do so at a great speed and managing to get through the slim walls is the only means of escape. In addition, the patterns constantly change and move around as do the shapes so it is nigh impossible to predict a set patter that can be used for aid. The only fact that helps the player is that the shape formed in the end is a hexagon and this is where the name comes from.
The colors constantly shift and change confusing the player ever further and it looks as if though one is starting right into an inter-dimensional portal waiting to be sucked right in. This difficulty actually acts as an incentive to keep on playing, trust me when I say that it will reduce the player to a sniveling screaming wreck but still manage to force him to pick up the phone and try again. It is pretty scary in that way.
The varying levels of hardness start from Hard and go on to Harder and Hardest which is just one indication that this is how the game was meant to be designed. One can call the creators diabolical or sadist, but that doesn’t ruin the enjoyment of the game. The real astounding part is that the game has three further difficulties that are unlocked once the previous are beaten and one can only wonder at what hell awaits the player there. This is of course considering if they manage to complete the Hardest difficulty first!
The bad thing about this difficulty is the player will die very often, so often that it will soon become a routine. However, this is alleviated by the fact that all that is required is a touch on the screen which will completely reset the stage and the player can get back to struggling to get some time on the scoreboard. The levels can be selected and easily and can be done as many times as possible. If it is any comfort, the levels change and upgrade after every 10 seconds or so and this can be a huge milestone as ten seconds in such a game is a commendable milestone.
Graphics and Sounds
The textures of the game are simple, but still fresh and clear. They mirror the gameplay as they are minimalistic to the extreme yet still are more than enough of what is required to provide engaging visuals. This factor truly does provide a great deal of depth to the app but there is just one problem, which involves the constantly changing colors. If the level upgrades to a color scheme that is bright and vivid such as red and white, then it literally hurts the eyes and looking at the screen is a pain and can make concentration difficult.
The audio on the other hand is utterly perfect as it matches fast tempo of the game perfectly. As the pace of action increases to near climatic conditions one can literally feel the heart beat in synchronization with beat of the music which is saying a lot. The captivating gameplay is indeed accentuated by the superb sounds that are on display.
Conclusion
Overall, the app really does provide on its promise of giving the player excitement and thrill all through such a simple concept. Super Hexagon takes players to a whole new level of exhilaration and there are few others that can match it in this respect.
It can be downloaded for $2.86 from Play Store.
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