Gearheads

Gearheads is a colorful puzzle game in which mechanical creatures become the stars of a surprisingly hectic series of challenges. The objective is generally straightforward, but completing each puzzle efficiently requires planning, timing, and a willingness to experiment with the strange machinery placed in front of you. Its cartoon presentation gives the game a cheerful personality, while the increasing difficulty makes it considerably more demanding than the friendly graphics might suggest. The best moments come when a complicated setup finally works exactly as intended, producing that satisfying little burst of “I meant to do that.” Different challenges introduce new ideas and prevent the formula from becoming stale. Gearheads belongs to the sort of puzzle tradition where the rules are easy to grasp but mastery takes considerably longer. It is bright, quirky, and occasionally fiendish, proving once again that apparently innocent-looking games can quietly consume an entire afternoon.