Amidst the recent surge of puzzle games, Hexa Sort by Lion Studio Plus presents a distinctive approach. Implementing a sorting mechanic, players are tasked with arranging hexagons of the same color to eliminate them, making room for subsequent piles. Hexa Sort adds to the array of puzzle games offered by the international publisher Applovin.
Core Game Loop
The gameplay of Hexa Sort is easily grasped from the outset. Players are tasked with sorting 10 hexagons of the same color to clear the stage and earn as many Stars as possible to progress through the levels. The choice of hexagonal shapes is particularly clever, as the polygon’s high sides can introduce challenges along the way. In games with straightforward mechanics like this, the level design becomes the most intriguing aspect. To challenge players, blocking off certain areas and diversifying the colors of the hexagons can create a stir and keep them engaged.
Game Economy
The game’s economy is straightforward, with players primarily pursuing Gold, as it serves as the game’s hard currency and is required to purchase boosters, which are various features aiding players in completing levels. Additionally, Multi-Color hexagons serve as resources for building areas, which players obtain by successfully completing levels.
Game Monetization
IAP
The microtransactions section is second to the Ad Monetization and will present itself as bundles of Gold, Remove-ads bundles, battle pass or Piggy bank offer.
Ad Monetization
Players can watch Ads to clear the board (there are some hexagons that are blocked and can be available by watching an Ad) and to receive more resource at the end of a level or at the daily rewards.
Conclusion
I believe that Hexa Sort has the potential to be a pioneering game in the puzzle genre by utilizing the sort mechanic. However, there are several aspects that need addressing:
- Visual Style: Hexa Sort captivates its audience with precise animations and a wide color palette. Similar to Twisted Tangle by Voodoo, the visual aspect can often be a deciding factor in whether players choose to play your game or not.
- Social Aspect: Unfortunately, this game lacks any social features altogether. As you know, I advocate for the implementation of social aspects extensively, as I believe it is a crucial element for the game’s longevity.
- Engaging LiveOps: Hexa Sort utilizes various events, some of which are pseudo-social like the race event, to compete for players’ screen time. It’s evident that engaging players and incentivizing them to play more will have a positive impact on the game’s revenue trends.
