This is a review of Picross S7, the latest in Nintendo’s long-running puzzle series. The game features over 100 puzzles that are broken up into themes like nature and cities. It also includes an option to create your own puzzle tiles with unique patterns.
You may be wondering why I’m taking the time to evaluate another another Jupiter Picross S game. Sure, a special edition like Picross S: Genesis and Master System Edition makes sense, but one of their flagship games? What’s the goal of it all? Normally, I’d agree with you, but Picross S7 is the first game in the series to have advancements that make its predecessors seem less polished and feature-rich. Yes, I’m writing a complete review for a brand-new Picross S game only because it has touchscreen controls. It is deserving of praise.
These nonogram puzzles have a deceptive quality about them. They seem uninteresting at first, but after you figure out how to solve them, they become quite addicting.
Picross S7 is similar to any previous Jupiter-developed picross game in terms of content. You have your conventional picross puzzles, as well as some variants like Mega Picross, which is still disappointing, and Color Picross, which is still amusing and thought-provoking. Clip Picross may also be found as a prize after playing the game for a long time. Finally, there are a few massive 30-minute puzzle problems that took an age to complete. While the designs aren’t as thrilling as solving a puzzle based on a Sega character, there’s enough variation to keep your picross craving satisfied for a while.
Color Picross is a fun game to play. It’s still a delight.
The actual star of this game isn’t the graphics (which are basic but adequate), the music (which is subpar at best), or the hundreds of puzzles available. No, the introduction of touchscreen-based controls is the reason why Picross S7 is so much superior than any of its predecessors, something I, along with thousands of other Picross fans, have been asking Jupiter for quite some time.
Touch-based controls are divided into two categories: Hold and Toggle. Toggle “unlocks” the touchscreen with a single push of a button, whereas Hold “locks” it only when you hold down a button beside it. I preferred Hold since it enabled me to fill up complete lines and even tiny problems all at once, but both defaults are excellent. Touch controls are recognized by every menu and button, enabling you to play the whole game with one hand if you so want.
The greatest challenges in Picross S7 are the massive 3030 puzzles. Unfortunately, there aren’t many of them.
It always surprises me how a single feature may dramatically transform a tried-and-true puzzle concept. Picross S7 is more of the same, which isn’t always a bad thing for us nonogram junkies, but the long-awaited inclusion of touch-based controls elevates this sequel to the point that it renders its predecessors obsolete. Now, if Jupiter releases a follow-up to its Sega-themed puzzle collection with these revolutionary new control possibilities, we may soon have the ideal nonogram collection.
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It appears like any other Picross game from Jupiter, but it lacks the excitement of solving puzzles based on video game characters. |
For so long, I’ve been hoping for touchscreen controls in a Picross game. It does, as promised, enhance the overall gameplay. |
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The audio, like the images, isn’t horrible, but after playing another Picross S game with a licensed soundtrack, it seems a little less passionate. |
Picross S7 compensates for its quirky puzzle designs by including touch controls and several massive 3030 tasks. |
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Final Score: 8.0 |
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Picross S7 is now available on the Nintendo Switch.
On Switch, the game was reviewed.
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