Ramify Demo

Although complex adventures and intricate mysteries usually attract a lot of attention, simple puzzle games have just as much success if they feature the right elements. In fact, they can be really addictive sometimes, especially if the levels are short and can be re-played without getting too repetitive. Hence, minimalistic design is a very sought-after quality in video games nowadays.

Ramify is a 2D puzzle game in which you have to tackle simple-looking riddles that put your patience and your wits to the test. The goal is to clear all the tiles by clicking on them a couple of times, although more mechanics are introduced along the way. However, the core idea remains unchanged throughout the game, which means that you constantly get better and better at it.

In short, the tiles have to be clicked until they release projectiles in all directions, and these projectiles also act as a click when they reach nearby tiles. You have a limited number of clicks at your disposal, which means that you really have to coordinate the explosions in order to get as many free moves as possible. It sounds pretty straightforward, but it’s not nearly as simple as you might think at first.

As mentioned before, things get more complex later on, mainly because new elements are added between the tiles. On top of that, the number of tiles you have to deal with increases as well, so it’s that much more difficult to concentrate when you have to take so many things into consideration. Granted, trial & error is still a viable solution, depending on how patient you are.

The graphics are kept to a minimum, and this is actually one of the game’s strengths, because the minimalistic design makes it easy to concentrate on the actual puzzles. On the other hand, it can make the levels feel a tad repetitive, even if the patterns change every time. It’s not a huge issue, especially since the mechanics are engaging enough to distract you from the graphics.

In the end, Ramify delivers in terms of replay value, fun factor and gameplay mechanics, in spite of its apparent simplicity. Hence, if you like brain teasers and you do not mind the lack of visual complexity, Ramify can easily keep you busy for a few hours.