Review: Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons (Nintendo Switch)
When I want to relax or unwind before bed, I enjoy playing two specific types of games: farming sims and puzzle games. My favorites are Harvest Moon and Picross because of their calming music and stress-free gameplay. So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered a game that combines both elements. Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons is a Picross game themed around Story of Seasons, featuring puzzles, music, and other aesthetic elements from the series. But is it only for SOS fans, or can anyone enjoy it? Let’s find out.
For those unfamiliar with Picross games, each puzzle starts with an empty grid of squares with numbers on the sides. By filling in the correct squares, you unveil a hidden picture.
The images in Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons are inspired by items, characters, animals, and buildings from the Story of Seasons games. As you solve puzzles, your farm in the background grows with each completed challenge. It would have been nice to have more interaction with the farm, though.
The game features music and sound effects from the Story of Seasons series, adding a nostalgic touch for fans. The puzzle screen is designed for focus, with changing colors and melodies based on the seasons. Don’t expect much excitement in winter!
Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons offers 350 levels and 5 collage puzzles for plenty of content. Completing groups of puzzles earns achievement badges, making for a rewarding experience. Plus, you can replay them all over again.
Themed Picross games, like Legend of Zelda or Mario versions, tend to be more enjoyable. Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons offers a themed experience for both Picross and Story of Seasons fans, making it a must-play for enthusiasts of both genres.
Whether you love Picross, Story of Seasons, or both, this game is worth trying out. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you start, you’ll find it incredibly addictive, especially if you enjoy puzzles and pixel art.