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About The Xen
The Xen is a fast-paced puzzle roguelike where you race against the clock to sum numbers on a 5x5 grid. Fancysquare’s indie strategy game drops you into a single-player loop of quickfire challenges. Every move counts, literally. You start with random numbers and must combine them to reach 10 before the timer hits zero. Released in 2025 for PC, it’s a brain-burning blend of math, timing, and risk. The goal? Survive as long as possible in increasingly chaotic grids. Think Sudoku under pressure. The elevator pitch: it’s Tetris for mathletes, but the stakes are your attention span.
Gameplay
Each round you’re given a 5x5 grid of numbers. You tap arrows to select cells and press space to merge adjacent tiles. Your target is 10, any combo that hits it clears. The catch? Every second ticks down a 30-second window. Miss the mark, and the grid shifts, forcing you to adapt on the fly. Two modes: one where you place new numbers, another where you chain combos. Controls are basic but frantic, arrow keys and spacebar feel like a gamepad. The grid resets every 30 seconds, creating a loop of high-pressure decisions. You’ll memorize number patterns, but the real test is reacting when the unexpected pops up. A wrong merge could cost you the run.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 28,000 ratings. 72% complete the base game, averaging 3.5 hours per playthrough. 65% of reviews are positive, while 35% call it “too punishing.” Community moods split between “focused” (48%) and “frustrated” (32%). Snippets include “Addictive but unforgiving” and “Great for short bursts but grinds fast.” Critics highlight its replay value, but note a 40% drop-off after the first hour. Achievements total 12, with 30% of players hitting full completion. Most common complaints? “No way to slow down” and “Too many random number placements.”
PlayPile's Take
The Xen is for players who thrive on tight, twitchy puzzles. At $19.99, it’s a low-risk test of reflexes and strategy. Casual players may tire of its relentless pace, average playthroughs end in under four hours. But for fans of math-based roguelikes, the 30-second rounds and 12 achievements offer decent replay. Don’t expect a relaxing session. If you can handle the stress of a ticking clock and random grids, it’s a sharp mental workout. Otherwise, save your brainpower for something less... numerical.
Game Modes
Single player
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