I have never been a puzzle game kind of guy. I am able to start one and get many completed levels out of the experience, but there's been many times where I just simply cannot finish it. Honestly, I get bored. I find puzzle games tedious and repetitive, to a point of indifference in completing them. So when I watched the trailer for the game Blek, I was cautious, but at the same time, I was intrigued - Blek looked different. Although I had my personal concerns that this was just another puzzle game, Blek seemed to offer a fresh take on the genre. And it absolutely does.

 

Developed by kunabi brother, Blek first entered the gaming world in December 2013 as an iOS title. Now, having never played that version, there was some concern that the transition over to the Wii U wouldn't work. There have been mobile games that, when coming out for consoles, feel like the previous version "stretched" out. That is to say, it doesn't feel like a new console game. 

 

However, when I first began playing Blek, those concerns instantly disappeared. Blek is a game that fits perfectly with the Wii U, and utilizes the GamePad flawlessly. 

 

Blek begins simply enough in its first level, placing the player within an almost blank canvas, the Blek logo placed on one side and a blue dot on the other. In the middle, a hand moves back and forth under a curved line, implying the drawn gesture for you. It's the only tutorial of the game that you will need. Once you draw your curved line, the gesture will continually repeat itself until it reaches the blue dot and moves you to the next level. Blek is open-ended and free-flowing, meaning that you can tackle the multitude of levels in any way you see fit. Just draw what you like, and that gesture will repeat itself until it hits every coloured dot (which completes the level) or careens off-screen (which restarts the level). It sounds easy enough, but the game gets rather difficult as you move forward, with more complex dot placements and new challenges (avoiding little black holes that will suck your line into an endless pit of darkness, etc.) to conquer. It is totally relaxing to play, and never frustrating, as there are so many ways to tackle a level that you can try something new every time you fail. It's pick up and play style (you will continue where you left off when you come back to the game) is a great fit for the game, as you can play it for 3 or 30 minutes, without feeling bored as it continually throws you something new to solve. Even if you feel bored, you don't have to complete many levels to feel a sense of accomplishment before turning the game off and returning later.

 

Graphically, Blek is as straightforward as its gameplay. It showcases a gorgeous minimalist, Bauhaus inspired art-style, that meshes completely with the game design. Without the art-style, the game wouldn't work. Sound wise, Blek carries almost complete silence throughout the game. The only sounds you will hear are the popping of dots when you're lines make contact, or the muttering/mumbling of some omnipresent line god who feels bad when you lose the level. Although it would have been nice to have some sort of background music, the utter silence is almost meditating, as you wallow in your own thoughts while completing levels. 

 

If you're a fan of puzzle games, Blek is a must have. For those on the fence, the $5.99 price tag may not convince you, but it offers enough replay value (by simply redoing levels in different ways) to justify a buy. Blek is a smart, beautiful, relaxing, and free-flowing fun puzzle game, and its simplicity and art style make for an addicting and easy on the eyes experience that is completely unique to the Wii U library.