"PUSH" is a Puzzle Game All About Pushing Your Buttons
"PUSH" ($0.99) by Maciej Targoni is a zen-like puzzle game about pushing buttons. If you enjoyed other recent puzzle games like Lynk and Linelight, then you're bound to enjoy PUSH.
Let's face it — life gets stressful, and we all have different ways to de-stress. My preferred way is to kick back with some video games, preferably puzzles as I find them relaxing yet stimulating, and a great way to pass the time. While I feel like I've tried pretty much every puzzle game there is on the App Store, I can't help but keep an eye out for new ones as they release. So when I heard of "PUSH" a few weeks ago, I had to check it out. It's another great game from the minds behind Klocki, Zenge, and Art of Gravity.
App Feels Like
App Feels Like
Visually, PUSH is gorgeous with a minimal art style that's simple and pleasing at the same time. Like the other games from the developer, it's fully rendered in 3D, with a dash of optical illusion magic going on. While it's not a perspective puzzle like Monument Valley, the angle at which you view things in PUSH depend on how the object is rotated. PUSH makes use of a no-frills color palette that consists of soft pastels and various shades of white, gray, and black. The subtle glows of the buttons as you push them or successfully complete a puzzle are soothing.
Animations are subtle, smooth, and fluid with no lag on my iPhone 8 Plus. PUSH also has a tranquil atmospheric soundtrack that plays in the background, which I found delightful. The clicking sound effects are also a nice touch. Overall, the developer did an excellent job with PUSH's visual and audio design.
Like many other puzzle games before it, PUSH is level-based. Players must complete the puzzle that they're currently on before they can move on to the next one. The goal is easy and straightforward: push the buttons and figure out the correct sequence so that all buttons are pressed. There are no move restrictions, time limits, points, or stars to worry about, so you can play the game at your own pace.
Controls in PUSH are effortless and intuitive. To push a button on the object, just tap on it. Of course, things get much more complicated as you progress. Eventually, you'll have to figure out the correct sequence to push the buttons in, otherwise, previously pushed buttons are depressed, so you lose progress! Some stages involve large objects with multiple sides, so you have to rotate to see all of the buttons. Once all of the buttons are pushed and stay down, then you've successfully solved the puzzle.
While this all sounds easy, it's not. You'll begin to find buttons that are appear to have a numbered order to them, but you still have to figure out if they're supposed to be pushed in ascending or descending order. Then there are buttons with directional arrows on them, cubes to push around on the stage, and much more. The beginning is easy, but once new tiles are added, PUSH gets tricky.
PUSH is another gem of a puzzle game from Maciej Targoni that does not disappoint.
PUSH is another gem of a puzzle game from Maciej Targoni that does not disappoint. The game looks stunning with a simple and clean aesthetic, and the music is definitely helpful in easing your mind and soul after a long day. While there are no tutorials or guides to help you understand, I found everything to be rather straightforward and easy to pick up on your own. Controls are simple enough, and the difficulty curve is gradual.
There's a lot of good stuff going on with PUSH, but this is not a game for everyone. If you don't like puzzle games that make the gears in your head turn, then this game isn't for you. This is a game that is relaxing and stimulating, so if you're in the mood for something with more action, then PUSH is not what you're looking for. But if you do want a challenging puzzle that doesn't put much pressure on you, then PUSH is worth a purchase.
The verdict
Overall, PUSH is a great puzzle game to add to your iOS game collection. The graphics are eye appealing and the sound is charming. While it explains nothing, you're able to pick up on the game mechanics as you tinker around, so it's friendly enough for everyone. I do wish that the game provided some different color theme options, just to spice things up a bit, but it's not a big deal. It's unclear how many levels there are, because you have to go through them in linear fashion. But from what I see, there's plenty of content for the price.
I recommend giving "PUSH" a try if you're a fan of sequence puzzle games. You can find "PUSH" on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $0.99. There are no in-app purchases.
