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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: Draw Puzzle
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:Your scores are saved after you've finished a puzzle (or section, in the Jigsaw mode). You aren't able to save a work in progress though. If you need to step away for a moment, press ESC to bring up the pause menu and stop the level's timer. Time needed per session:Coloring in an entire puzzle only takes a few minutes, and there is a time limit on most levels, so this is a game that can fit in just about anybody's schedule.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians There's nothing to worry about here, as this is basically a video game version of a coloring book. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/draw_puzzle_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/draw_puzzle_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/draw_puzzle_2.jpg)
Game Overview
A lot of people probably passed over this game, as coloring games tend to be fairly boring. Many are just the video game equivalent of a color-by-numbers kit, providing a number of simple images that users are expected to color in. Draw Puzzle looks like it's more of the same, but there's actually a twist to it.
When you initially view a level, you'll only see the image's shape and a lot of colored dots. A couple of these dots will have numbers on them, and these are your starting points. The rules are simple: to color the image in, you need to draw lines connecting dots of the same color and number. The numbers indicate how many squares get filled in with each line (counting the dots themselves), and the lines aren't allowed to cross.
For example, a pair of adjacent dots with the number 2 on them simply need to be connected. On the other hand, a pair of dots labeled with a 7 requires you to draw through open space, making a line that starts on one dot and covers five blank squares before it reaches into the final dot. Since this line may not cross existing lines, you'll need to be careful to leave enough space for other nearby lines. Of course, you may freely erase existing lines, so misplacing a few is only an issue if you're trying to earn all three crowns on a level.
Every time you connect a pair, more pairs will reveal themselves. This will eventually lead to every dot on the playfield displaying their numbers, and you'll be able to finish the level. There is an option to have every dot display its number at the start of a level; but since this just looks like chaos to me, I don't recommend enabling it.
Now about those crowns: with the exception of certain game modes, every level has three goals, and you'll be awarded a crown for each goal you complete. The first goal is to completely color in the image. The second crown is awarded if you can color in the image within a given time limit. Most of these time limits are fairly generous, so you can reasonably expect to earn two crowns per level. The final crown is only awarded if you can finish the level without erasing more than a limited number of lines. This limit depends on the level, and larger levels tend to give you more leeway, but it's still going to be the most difficult of the three crowns to earn.
If you're looking for something different and like quieter games like solitaire or mah jongg, I'd suggest trying this one. There are scores of levels to try, and with the built-in level editor and ability to share your custom puzzles with other players, you'll be busy for a long while!
When you initially view a level, you'll only see the image's shape and a lot of colored dots. A couple of these dots will have numbers on them, and these are your starting points. The rules are simple: to color the image in, you need to draw lines connecting dots of the same color and number. The numbers indicate how many squares get filled in with each line (counting the dots themselves), and the lines aren't allowed to cross.
For example, a pair of adjacent dots with the number 2 on them simply need to be connected. On the other hand, a pair of dots labeled with a 7 requires you to draw through open space, making a line that starts on one dot and covers five blank squares before it reaches into the final dot. Since this line may not cross existing lines, you'll need to be careful to leave enough space for other nearby lines. Of course, you may freely erase existing lines, so misplacing a few is only an issue if you're trying to earn all three crowns on a level.
Every time you connect a pair, more pairs will reveal themselves. This will eventually lead to every dot on the playfield displaying their numbers, and you'll be able to finish the level. There is an option to have every dot display its number at the start of a level; but since this just looks like chaos to me, I don't recommend enabling it.
Now about those crowns: with the exception of certain game modes, every level has three goals, and you'll be awarded a crown for each goal you complete. The first goal is to completely color in the image. The second crown is awarded if you can color in the image within a given time limit. Most of these time limits are fairly generous, so you can reasonably expect to earn two crowns per level. The final crown is only awarded if you can finish the level without erasing more than a limited number of lines. This limit depends on the level, and larger levels tend to give you more leeway, but it's still going to be the most difficult of the three crowns to earn.
If you're looking for something different and like quieter games like solitaire or mah jongg, I'd suggest trying this one. There are scores of levels to try, and with the built-in level editor and ability to share your custom puzzles with other players, you'll be busy for a long while!
Points of Interest
Over 200 levels
The Normal game mode, on its own, has 165 unique levels. Although the game will automatically advance you through them in a specific order, you're free to play them in any order or even repeat levels you've already cleared.
The other modes bring the total to about 270 levels, not counting the Random mode, which generates new levels on the fly.
The other modes bring the total to about 270 levels, not counting the Random mode, which generates new levels on the fly.
Multiple Game Modes
This game comes with four game modes. Most of the content is found under the Normal mode, which isn't all that surprising. The Jigsaw mode plays very similarly; the main difference is that instead of working on a small image, you'll be coloring in sections of a big one. This is also slightly harder, as you don't get to see what the section will look like until you've finished it.
The remaining two modes are more unique. In the Challenge mode, you're trying to earn a high score instead of crowns. Connecting dots quickly enables a point multiplier, so you'll need to work fast and without mistakes to earn the most points and a spot on the leaderboards. Lastly, the Random mode generates a pattern for you to solve. These patterns don't have many colors, and are easily cleared within a few seconds.
The remaining two modes are more unique. In the Challenge mode, you're trying to earn a high score instead of crowns. Connecting dots quickly enables a point multiplier, so you'll need to work fast and without mistakes to earn the most points and a spot on the leaderboards. Lastly, the Random mode generates a pattern for you to solve. These patterns don't have many colors, and are easily cleared within a few seconds.
Steam community features
Each level has an achievement tied to it, giving this game a frighteningly large number of achievements. All you need to do is complete a level to earn the associated achievement, which feels a bit too easy in my opinion. I think players would find it more rewarding if they only earned an achievement when they earned all three crowns on a level, but alas, I'm not in charge.
In addition, this game features a level editor. Not only can you make your own levels, you can also use the Steam Workshop to share your masterpieces and try levels created by other players. This effectively results in an endless amount of content for you to enjoy!
Finally, for those few players who would be interested in them, there's a set of Steam trading cards available for this game too.
In addition, this game features a level editor. Not only can you make your own levels, you can also use the Steam Workshop to share your masterpieces and try levels created by other players. This effectively results in an endless amount of content for you to enjoy!
Finally, for those few players who would be interested in them, there's a set of Steam trading cards available for this game too.
Concerns and Issues
Potential issues with some images
As this is a puzzle game based on connecting colored dots, there isn't that much room for offensive content. At most, there are images based on fantasy monsters and some images based on holidays, such as Santa Claus or reindeer. A few images, such as one of the included jigsaw puzzles, feature Halloween imagery like jack-o-lanterns or cartoon witches.
Surprisingly, one of the Normal mode levels, the one named "Minister", appears to be a simplistic depiction of Jesus Christ.
Surprisingly, one of the Normal mode levels, the one named "Minister", appears to be a simplistic depiction of Jesus Christ.