What the Hex! is Going On? Agave Games’ New Soft Launch
Casual puzzle game lovers, it’s time to pay attention—Agave Games just dropped a new title into soft launch, and if you’ve been following their recent $18 million investment, you know the industry has its eyes on them. The game? What the Hex!—a mix of color-sorting puzzles with a Monopoly GO! style town-building meta. I played it, and here’s the scoop on what it’s all about, how it plays, and why people are curious about Agave’s next move.
A Hexagonal Spin on Sorting Puzzles
If you’ve played Hexa Sort, you’ll feel right at home with What the Hex! The gameplay is simple but strategic: you stack and merge hexagonal tiles of the same color to clear space and meet level goals. Sounds easy? Well, not so much. The game doesn’t hold your hand for long—later levels introduce more colors, trickier placements, and the ever-present risk of running out of space.
But what really grabbed me was the art style. It’s colorful, polished, and just plain satisfying. Every move comes with smooth animations, and when you finally clear a tricky stack? Chef’s kiss. The core gameplay has that addicting, “just one more level” pull—right up until you run out of lives (more on that later).
Building Meta: A Monopoly GO!-Style Twist
What sets What the Hex! apart from other sorting games is its meta progression. As you beat levels, you earn in-game currency to construct buildings in different themed locations. Right now, the soft launch version features a tropical island setting where you build things like tiki totems and lighthouses. Each new town you “upgrade” unlocks the next area, giving you a reason to keep playing beyond just the puzzles.
It’s a formula that’s worked wonders for games like Monopoly GO!, and it makes sense why Agave is going this route—it adds long-term engagement, and let’s be real, building cute little villages is just fun.
Soft Launch Feedback: What Players Are Saying
The art and gameplay seem to be the biggest positives, with some players calling it “addictive and satisfying.” The difficulty level is worth noting, though. I personally found myself running out of lives pretty quickly, which might frustrate some players. No major complaints yet, but the real test will be when the game goes global and more feedback rolls in.
Where Are the Events?
Right now, What the Hex! doesn’t seem to have any limited-time events or seasonal content. This makes sense—soft launches usually focus on core gameplay before adding live events later. That said, I’d be shocked if we don’t see some sort of event-driven content after the official launch, especially given how crucial events are in keeping mobile players engaged.
Agave Games’ Big Investment: What It Means
The buzz around What the Hex! isn’t just about the game itself—it’s also about Agave Games’ recent $18 million Series A funding. That’s a massive amount for a casual mobile game studio, and it means they have serious backing to expand and develop new titles.
Investors like Balderton Capital (who previously backed Dream Games and Peak Games) see Agave as a potential $100M+ revenue company. That’s a bold claim, but if What the Hex! performs well, Agave could prove they’re not a one-hit wonder. This funding also means they’ll likely be pumping more resources into What the Hex!—whether that’s better updates, stronger user acquisition, or just higher-quality games moving forward.
Final Thoughts: Will What the Hex! Be a Hit?
Right now, What the Hex! is in a good position. The gameplay is fun, the visuals are top-notch, and the building meta adds extra depth. That said, its real success depends on a few key factors:
- How well does it balance difficulty and monetization?
- Will events and social features make the game more engaging?
- Can Agave turn soft launch excitement into a full-blown global hit?
It’s too early to call, but if their track record is anything to go by, What the Hex! could be Agave’s next big win. One thing’s for sure—people are watching closely.
Analysis by Aylin Yazıcı. Feel free to contact me.
