There are plenty of puzzle games on the Xbox Store that want to tie your brain in knots. Fading Clouds takes a gentler approach. Instead of timers, impossible difficulty spikes or hundreds of mechanics to remember, this latest release from Afil Games is built around one simple idea – every cloud you step on disappears behind you.
Launching today on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC for £4.19, it’s another budget puzzler looking to tempt players after a quiet hour or two of problem-solving.
At A Glance
- Game: Fading Clouds
- Developer: Afil Games
- Publisher: Afil Games
- Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Price: £4.19
- Genre: Puzzle
Think Before You Take The First Step
Every level begins with the same question: how do you reach the star without cutting off your own route?
The answer changes as Fading Clouds introduces new mechanics across its 30 handcrafted stages. Clouds crumble away beneath your feet, others can be restored, and before long you’re planning several moves ahead, looking for a path that leaves you somewhere to stand at the end of it all.
It’s an easy concept to understand, but one that gradually asks a little more of you as the journey continues.
Fading Clouds never rushes you either. There’s no countdown clock and no penalty for stopping to think. The colourful pixel-art presentation and laid-back atmosphere fit the gameplay well, making this the sort of game that’s easy to dip into between bigger releases. And with only thirty levels, it’s also a fairly compact experience, making it ideal for anyone after a quick gaming session rather than a week-long commitment.
We’ve Already Been Walking On Clouds
We’ve already reviewed Fading Clouds, awarding it 3/5. We enjoyed its straightforward puzzles and appreciated that it wasn’t yet another Sokoban clone, although there is no doubt that it is both very short and fairly easy. As that review concluded: “If you’ve got a little disposable cash and a love for easy-peasy puzzles, then Fading Clouds is a decent punt.“
Whether that sounds like good value at £4.19 will likely come down to how much you enjoy a relaxed puzzle game.
If you’re looking for something calm to fill an evening, Fading Clouds could be worth adding to your library. It’s available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC for £4.19, running three different flavours – Xbox Series X|S Optimised, for Xbox One, and for Windows PC.
