Technical Information

Developer: Tobias Springer
Publisher: Tobias Springer
Release Date: June 7, 2020

An interesting puzzle game in which you must build a factory to produce pieces (or shapes — it’s not very clear).
In each level, you must build a specific type of piece, but the number you need to deliver increases in subsequent levels, along with the complexity of the manufacturing process.

Final Considerations – Analyzing the Work as a Whole

Graphics and UI

The game’s visuals are minimalist, with light colors that make each object stand out without straining your eyes.

The UI has a list of commands on the top-left side of the screen. On the opposite side, there are additional buttons (music, save, etc.) that make the game’s accessibility very practical.
As you progress, the game displays instructions explaining what you need to do.

The only negative point is that some labels are slightly larger than the areas where they are displayed. Because of the font color, they tend to blend into the background.

Soundtrack and Sound Effects

The music is very pleasant. It’s not annoying, not too slow to make you sleepy, and not so agitated that it becomes stressful when your constructions start going wrong.

You’ll often be so focused that there are moments when you even forget there’s background music playing.

Gameplay

There isn’t much to explain, shapez.io is a very simple game.
Despite its straightforward gameplay, it stands out for being extremely clever. With very little, it manages to challenge the player and reveal a level of complexity you wouldn’t expect.

The difficulty increases gradually, not only in how you must organize conveyor belts and equipment, but also in how efficiently you deliver the required number of pieces.
In later levels, the required output increases significantly, making speed essential to avoid spending too much time on the same level.

I found it particularly interesting that the same level can be solved in many different ways. Each player ends up developing their own strategy.

The game features multiple save slots and also allows you to export them. This is especially convenient for people who share a Steam account or a PC.

I don’t recommend playing with a laptop touchpad. Due to the frequent zooming and the selection and removal commands, using a mouse provides much better control and agility.

Replayability and Game Retention

It’s a game with a casual vibe that can end up hooking you for much longer than you expect.
For those who enjoy breaking their heads over problems, it’s a full plate.