Active Neurons 2 Review

We are faced with a brand new year and a reset for me to crack on with some game reviews. Let’s forget what 2020 was and bring on 2021.

My first review of the year is Active Neurons 2 by Sometimes You. Another game from them, I have had  the pleasure of reviewing. This simple puzzle solving game tests your logical mind-set to uncover the inventions of humanity.

The basics of the game is easy to understand. You have dealt with a white square and you have to navigate your way to the highlighted areas. The first couple of levels gives you a basic tutorial on how to play and then the rest is up to you to figure out how to get around the board using nothing but Up, down, left, right and backwards movements.

Pressing one of these directional buttons moves your square but you can’t stop it until it reaches something that stops it. Whether this be the edge of the playing field, solid squares or barriers. This is where the logic of the puzzles come into play. Assessing each intricate movement precisely to anticipate where your square will end up is key. I found myself on the beginning of a new level, sitting there and thinking through the best way I thought possible to get to the finishing point.

There were only a couple of the maps that really got me stuck and I had to press the ‘restart’ button a few times just to reset to start over again. This costs nothing by the way. You are also given the opportunity to use the ‘solution’ button, but really, who should be using that?

Besides that, let’s talk about how it is as a game. The gameplay is very smooth. I didn’t come up against any issues with input lag or and the directional input was smooth. The field area in which you control your square is slightly on the smaller size and could be made slightly bigger to utilise the screen better, but it does come equipped with some funky background aesthetics.

The level design is complimented well with a unique soundtrack that really sets the mood to make the experience more relaxing. I think I found myself getting so relaxed with the music it made me sleepy. However, it could also be the fact I’m just getting old. There is only a set amount of track input into the game so they do repeat frequently, but to be honest, they are so pleasant to listen to I didn’t really mind that.