The Heist Review

This game is a collection of four different puzzle types all wrapped up in the guise of the classic heist. A secret reward is protected behind a heavily fortified safe and each line of defense is bypassed by completing the requisite number of puzzles.

The game actually starts with a phone call. Yes, that's right, a phone call. Sophia, the game's mysterious guide, makes a call through a convincingly realistic incoming call screen. By "answering" this call and holding the phone up to an ear, players will receive Sophia's instructions and encouragement. These periodic interruptions don't serve much in the way of gameplay, but they do offer some atmosphere that is usually non-existent in puzzle games. The inclusion of some type of story, no matter how simple the context, is a welcome addition.

Each puzzle type is different enough from the next that the game offers a good deal of variety, and the puzzles don't need to be completed in any specific order so there getting burned out on a certain puzzle type isn't likely. There is a block sliding puzzle type not unlike Unblock Me, a sudoku-like stone arranging puzzle type, a block pushing puzzle type, and a sliding puzzle type to round out the collection. Each puzzle type has several levels of difficulty beginning with the almost ridiculously easy to get players aquatinted with each puzzle type. However, since there are no formal instructions on how each puzzle works, starting off so simply is a must.

Each line of the vaults defenses is deactivated by obtaining a certain number of difficulty points. The more difficult the puzzle, the more points are obtained. Once enough points are obtained and all the vault's defenses are neutralized, the vault will open to reveal an actual prize. We're not going to ruin that surprise here, but the games puzzles are often reward enough. Still, the added incentive of a prize at the end of the game makes things that much more interesting.