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About Redact
Redact is a minimalist puzzle game developed by Xioanz that released on January 30, 2026, for PC. It’s a short, single-player experience centered around a deceptively simple mechanic: a single button press. The game’s narrative branches based on whether you actively engage with prompts or let them pass. Set in a abstract, low-poly environment, it leans into experimental storytelling, where your attention, or lack thereof, shapes the outcome. The elevator pitch? A 20-minute brain teaser that uses inaction as effectively as action.
Gameplay
You spend most of Redact staring at a screen, waiting for text or symbols to appear. The core loop is binary: press the button to "acknowledge" a prompt, or do nothing and let it fade. Each decision alters the sequence of events, creating a branching path that feels more complex than its simplicity suggests. The challenge isn’t in timing or reflexes but in predicting how your choices will cascade. Sessions are short, most players finish in 15, 25 minutes, but the game rewards replays to test alternative routes. Controls are stripped to basics: one key for all interactions, making the experience feel like a high-stakes game of “press spacebar if it feels right.”
What Players Think
Redact holds a 4.5/5 average on PlayPile, with 78% of players completing it. Community moods are split between “curious” (62%) and “contemplative” (38%), while 12% report “frustration” from ambiguous outcomes. Average playtime is 22 minutes, with 89% of players finishing their first run under 30 minutes. One review calls it “a masterclass in minimalist design,” while another gripes, “feels more like a prototype than a finished game.” Achievement data is sparse, only 3% of players unlock the hidden “Silent Path” ending by never pressing the button.
PlayPile's Take
Redact is free, so it’s worth a playthrough for fans of experimental puzzles. Its strength is its novelty: turning inaction into a mechanic. But the lack of guidance and sparse feedback might alienate those wanting clearer stakes. If you enjoy games like Baba Is You or get satisfaction from dissecting abstract narratives, this is a quick, thought-provoking detour. Otherwise, it’s a brief curiosity with little long-term appeal.
Game Modes
Single player
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