Cylinder: Puzzles Returned is a forthcoming puzzle action game that provides its spin on classic titles. I have been an avid puzzle game player since the early 1990s, so I had to experience this take on the genre. After hours of hands-on experience, I wanted to remark how it stands out from other games with its mechanics, modes, and unlockable content.
Cylinder twists the familiar objective of matching four blocks of the same color. Players move a 2×2 cursor across a cylinder and rotate blocks to form matches. These matches work as long as the blocks are connected so that they can be entirely vertical or horizontal or even be S or L shapes. Rotating the cylinder and making matches feels organic in a way that is easy to pick up and play. On the other hand, being unable to see the entire playfield at a glance inherently requires some rotation and a bit of frantic movement. Players can use a controller or a mouse to play, and the game clearly shows the respective rotation buttons on the screen. Although prior puzzle game experience is not required, puzzle game maestros familiar with Puyo Puyo, Puzzle League’s 3D Mode, or Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo’s console modes will feel right at home.
The puzzle game genre contains colorful motifs, and Cylinder is no exception. The blocks shine as players move their cursor across the cylindrical playfield, and players can pick from a slew of skins. Adventure Mode also starts with a lab motif that pivots to other worlds, like a Mesoamerican-inspired temple and an East Asian courtyard. Each background provides plenty of visual flair with sizable statues and architecture that frame the cylindrical playfield. Adventure Mode is also full of wacky, off-the-wall characters that practically share nothing besides their cartoony visual style. Still, their banter and bickering about cylinders are amusing.
The bulk of Cylinder’s Adventure Mode consists of Puzzle Mode stages in which players have limited turns to solve each puzzle. Cylinder’s puzzles often require a fair amount of deliberation. Figuring out which rotation to make typically takes some trial and error, but it is satisfying to clear the right pieces and see stacks of blocks fall into place. Later worlds throw unique parameters into the mix, such as detonating opposite parts of the playfield, and these can often be a doozy. Adventure Mode also includes stages where players continually clear blocks and versus matches against computer opponents.
A few features also bolster the game’s replayability. Cylinder involves accumulating points to unlock cosmetics like character palettes and frames. Players can collect points by clearing stages and clearing optional daily, weekly, and monthly missions. The game also has plenty of straightforward lifetime achievements to chase as well. Furthermore, players can create their puzzles using an in-game editor and share their creations.
A particularly notable feature is the game’s versus mode, which supports up to four players simultaneously. Players pick from one of three win conditions: the last player to survive, the first to reach a designated number of points, and clearing as many objectives as possible in the allotted time. One twist is reminiscent of fighting games in that players build a Super Meter and decide when to unleash attacks upon the other opponent’s field. Each character has a different attack that includes respawning cleared pieces and preventing blocks from being rotated. Players can even build the meter to three levels to intensify their attack before unleashing it on their foes. The game also has an extensive list of togglable sliders and adjustable settings so players can tweak settings to their liking.
Cylinder: Puzzles Returned is slated for release on September 3, 2024 on Steam, and it will launch on consoles in the future.
