Picross DS

Picross is a prolific series of nonogram puzzle games, and I'm constantly surprised that they're able to come up with hundreds of new puzzles for each title. Although it's not the first entry in the series, Picross DS can be credited with bringing the series back to the West after Mario's Picross flopped, and I'm grateful that it did! Picross has become a go-to series for me thanks to the simple pick-up-and-play style, and the addicting buzz from solving each puzzle.

Picross DS is loaded with cute grid-based drawings to uncover, and it has enough content to last for ages. I think part of it's success can be attributed to it's accessibility. The game guides players from easier puzzles to harder ones, allowing them to learn the ropes and develop strategies as they progress. It also allows play via the buttons or the touch screen, depending on player preference. As I prefer using buttons, I'm glad that touch screen play wasn't forced as it was with countless other DS titles.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every Picross game that I've played before, and the DS entry is no different. The game is both fun and addicting, and the accessibility makes it easy enough to pick up and play. With that in mind, I can easily recommend this title to any puzzle-lovers, and honestly, almost anyone else looking for a calming gaming experience.

Although the game is no longer being distributed, you can learn more about it here (as of 9/21/20): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picross_DS

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