Prism

A fellow puzzle addict, I was excited to discover Prism, a colorful yet familiar spin on 2048, which remains one of the best computer games that I’ve ever played. As great as it is gameplay-wise, writing down numbers seemed so bland for me because combining colors cushions a visual delight that I keep hearing from other players as a distinctive magic from the game-between. The goal — combine tiles of the same color to create new colors and increase your total score — is cleverly engaging and requires strategic foresight, particularly in terms of keeping tiles in a corner for optimal possible moves. It’s fun and mildly addictive, yes, but I like that there’s a level of challenge that keeps each session novel and encourages you to beat your previous high score. Trying to gain access to all colors provides a satisfying feeling of progression. In short, Prism nails that sense for a puzzle game that is simple to play but gives players of all levels something to come back to again. It’s a reflection of how the game balances simplicity and complexity so it’s not too easy or impossible — a smart way to spend your free time.