Spacechem

Okay, I LOVE puzzle games. I'm not the greatest at them, but I usually fare quite well when playing entries in this varied genre (World of Goo, Braid, Wetrix+, etc...). This game has a fair difficulty curve, but becomes so wonderfully challenging. I also love that it shows you how you performed against a distribution of all Spacechem players. I the end, it's a hard puzzle game you must play if you at all like puzzles.

That's the only word I could find that really describes this game. It is beautiful. I am, professionaly, a mathematician and a logician. This game makes plentiful use of both of those characteristics at absolutely all times, in ways that go beyond the algorithmical thinking required in much algorithmical work. I have read the author's opinion on the game, and quite honestly, I disagree with him; because where he points out flaws, I see only qualities. SpaceChem applies what it calls "Fake Chemistry" wonderfully, creating an environment that makes science seem more interesting to the non-scientifically oriented. It forces one to think constantly, differently from other puzzle games that throw out a dozen weak puzzles before finally giving you an average one, or poorly designed adventure games that force you to look up a guide or spend fruitless hours searching for an illogical solution. SpaceChem is flawless, and is what all puzzle games should aspire to be. I recommend it to anyone, at all ages and of all interests, both as a passtime and as a mental challenge, both as a way to develop logical thought and to learn persistance and discipline. I say the following as a fact, and not as an exaggeration: If I was in charge of a school, I'd make kids play this. At least an hour per week. I know I'll have my kids play it, when I have them. I am a better person for having found it.

This is the most amazing puzzle game I have ever played. If you enjoy programming or logic, it is a must. You will be challenged and humiliated, face impossible problems and feel like a genius for solving them in an efficient manner. Only to find out you did below average compared to the other players. The story is also very well written and will keep you motivated to get through the game no matter how hard it gets. And after you're done with the game - or even before you're done - you'll be revisiting the stages just to find better solutions and improve your rank.

There is only one answer but it's the formulas and methods that can be your own. I really like that your results are compared to other players, there are many levels I've completed and redone to see how someone did it with fewer symbols or less cycles. Sometimes the challenge is not completion but efficiency.