Hexcells Plus
IGDB
Loading critic reviews...
Finding live streams...
About Hexcells Plus
Hexcells Plus is a puzzle game that builds on its predecessor by cranking up the difficulty with 36 new brain teasers. Developed by Matthew Brown and released in 2013, it sits in the puzzle/indie/strategy niche, playing out on PC, Mac, and Linux. The goal? Figure out which hexagons are safe to click by analyzing clues about row/column patterns. It’s a minimalist, logic-driven experience that feels like a math test in disguise. If you liked Hexcells but wanted more of a mental workout, this is the sequel that strips away easy wins and focuses purely on deduction.
Gameplay
Each puzzle is a grid of hexagons where you deduce which ones are “safe” using numerical and directional clues. You click cells to reveal their state or right-click to mark them. The twist is overlapping rows and columns that share cells, forcing you to track dependencies. Early puzzles teach basics like counting and matching, but later ones layer in trickier logic, like cells that count only their neighbors. Sessions often last 10-30 minutes, with a rhythm of trial/error and sudden breakthroughs. The interface is barebones but effective, with no hints. You’ll spend more time sketching diagrams on paper than actually playing.
What Players Think
Critic scores average 71.5/100, with fans praising the “rewarding difficulty” but critics calling it “repetitive.” Players average 5.1 hours of playtime, with 72.4% of achievements unlocked overall. The mood is split: 68% say it’s “frustrating but fair,” while 21% find it “tedious.” Achievement completion hovers around 65-70%, suggesting it’s tough but not impenetrable. Forum threads buzz with puzzle-specific math discussions, and 34% of reviews mention “feeling smarter” post-game.
PlayPile's Take
Hexcells Plus is for players who crave logic puzzles with a sting. basically, it’s a math-heavy exercise in pattern recognition, best suited for those who enjoy Sudoku or The Witness. With 6 achievements and a 72.4% average unlock rate, it’s challenging but not impossibly so. If you’re a puzzle purist who doesn’t mind dead-end sessions, it’s a solid 5-hour commitment. Otherwise, the lack of variety might wear thin.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
71.5
RAWG Rating
3.9
Deals
Finding deals...
Videos
1Screenshots
5Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...