Picross S5 (Nintendo Switch) Review

First of all, Picross S5 is not substantially different from the previous entry. Simply speaking, it is the same game with different puzzles. However, for a genre like this, that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, this is much appreciated. After all, this is exactly what players of the previous titles want: more puzzles of the same sort.

For a puzzle title that does not offer a lot of variety, Jupiter Corporation sure has made it special with the different modes to choose from. These are the traditional Picross mode, the trickier Mega Picross, the somewhat unique Colour Picross, and the rewarding Clip Picross. Additionally, for those who want a challenge, there is an Extra mode that offers some very time consuming (and therefore very enjoyable) puzzles, as well as extra levels if save files from older series entries can be found on the console.

When booting up for the first time, a tutorial is offered. This is great for first-timers but can be skipped by longtime players, which is appreciated, as the rules stay the same after all. The traditional Picross mode offers a decent amount of new puzzles that will take a while to complete (at least without using the help functions). Mega Picross is a bit more complicated by allowing numbers to overlap in 2 rows or columns. This offers an often incredible challenge.

In Colour Picross, the numbers are in different colours, and squares have to be filled in according to number and colour. This is a fun (and still relatively new) take on puzzles. The only downside in this mode is that there are fewer puzzles available than in other modes.

By playing through the traditional Picross mode, puzzles for Clip Picross will be unlocked. Solving each individual grid on one Clip Picross page will reveal a large picture that is part of a short story. Puzzles usually increase in size and difficulty as you progress; however, larger size does not automatically mean harder difficulty; it just depends on how the grid and numbers are laid out.

One of the best parts of the Picross S series is its ease of navigation. Not only is the main menu easy to scroll through but also the settings and the real-time gameplay itself are as well. The button mapping can also be changed if desired. For beginners, there is a number of helpful tools available to be turned off or on in the settings, such as autocorrecting mistakes or the hint roulette. For seasoned players, these features may not be necessary but offering them as a possibility allows for both new and experienced players to enjoy this title. Picross S5 also offers several different kinds of background music to choose from, making for some variety. While the soundtrack as a whole is not incredibly exciting, it is a nice little extra to have some choice here.

Despite the simplicity of the gameplay, the different modes allow for some diversity while playing, and the number of puzzles available is definitely more than adequate. Depending on whether help functions are used, the game can be finished quickly, or it can take longer - that part is up to the player. Tricky puzzles can be given up on and tried again with no penalty, which is relaxing and can reduce stress caused by overthinking your strategy. As such, this title is a great pastime for puzzle lovers that just want to chill out.