Finding Calm in the Humble Puzzle
When I was younger, the humble jigsaw sat at the lowest rung of my puzzle game options. I don’t know why, but it just didn’t connect with my youthful brain. Give me a word search, a spot the difference, or a cryptic crossword, and I was as happy as Larry.
Yet as I got older, I started to appreciate the jigsaw much more, as I realised that the patience required to build a picture from a thousand pieces is incredibly relaxing.
And as I’ve aged even more, I’ve discovered that puzzle games on my Xbox have become my favourite pastime. Solid Void – Topsy Turvy World is a new entry that mixes jigsaw puzzles with nonograms, and it is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.
Decoding the Nonogram
I think everyone will be familiar as to what a jigsaw is, but some might not be so sure about nonograms. Simply put, a nonogram is a picture logic puzzle set on a grid. Players are required to fill in the squares with shaded areas or leave them blank, dictated by numbers on the axis. Sound confusing? I was completely lost at first, but once you start, it quickly becomes simple to work out, until, of course, the difficulty level begins to rise.
Piecing Together Pieter Bruegel the Elder
There isn’t a straight narrative here, as you might expect, but there is a sort of story you can piece together because there is a distinct purpose to completing the puzzles.
The game utilises the paintings of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, a renowned Dutch Renaissance painter from the 16th century. His famous works, which are featured here, include The Hunters in the Snow and Children’s Games. They are amazing pieces of art, and it is quite a treat to gradually unlock them as you work your way through the 250 puzzles. You even get some information about the artworks as you reveal them, which I found genuinely interesting.
The Dual-Stage Challenge
The game operates on a dual puzzle structure. The first stage involves the nonogram aspect. Here, you are presented with a grid, small initially, but much larger later on, and numerical clues along the edges. You need to deduce which parts of the grid must be shaded grey or black, and which should be left alone. Do this correctly, and it reveals a pixelated image. The early nonogram sections are simple, and a tutorial allows you to slowly get to grips with the system and learn how to solve them.
As you progress, Solid Void – Topsy Turvy World does get tricky; you will be faced with larger grids and spend a lot longer working on the solutions. What works so well with this game is that the difficulty spike is gradual rather than a sharp curve. This allows you to invest your time and adapt to the pace, rather than being put off by a sudden demand for brainpower.
The Jigsaw Evolution
The second half of the experience is the jigsaw section. After completing the nonogram, you receive image fragments to piece together to recreate one of Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s paintings. It isn’t a traditional jigsaw with tiny pieces you might lose down the back of the sofa, but rather something more akin to Tetris-sized blocks.
Both elements are cleverly linked, and you must complete one to access the other. Again, the challenge increases on a gentle curve rather than a steep one. I would note, however, that if you don’t enjoy both of these puzzle styles, there isn’t much else for you to get out of the game.
Presentation-wise, it is a simple affair, so don’t expect lots of bells and whistles. That being said, there is something I really liked about the contained nature of the visuals. The menus are clear and concise, as is the layout of the puzzles themselves. The big bonus was seeing and being reminded of the works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which sent me down an internet rabbit hole to discover more.
A Bargain Entry for the Strategic Mind
As a puzzle fan, Solid Void – Topsy Turvy World will more than scratch an itch, even if you aren’t particularly familiar with nonograms. I loved how the two puzzle types combine to create such an interesting overall concept, and watching the paintings slowly come to life is deeply satisfying and fascinating.
Best of all, Solid Void – Topsy Turvy World is under a fiver, which is an absolute bargain for 250 puzzles. So, if you’re feeling up for a challenge, give Solid Void – Topsy Turvy World a go.
Important Links
Solid Void – Topsy Turvy World: A Twisted Puzzle Worth Slowing Down For? – https://www.thexboxhub.com/solid-void-topsy-turvy-world-a-twisted-puzzle-worth-slowing-down-for/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/solid-void-topsy-turvy-world/9NX4N9G0KH9B/0010
