TOK is a simple puzzle game about rotating pieces to connect the start and end of threads. Filled with soft colors and relaxing music, it’s a pleasant experience for all audiences. 90 levels are available in the first game, with more in the series for interested players.
Format: PC via Steam
First playthrough time: 1 hour
Released November 15th, 2018 by Crew Lab
Quick Overview
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‘DLC’ levels are included with the base game
In-depth Review
The puzzles in TOK focus on the simple rotation of pieces until everything lines up into a continuous thread. In some of the later levels, multiple thread start points are available or a start point may start multiple threads. The puzzles are very easy but satisfying to complete.
The first couple levels introduce the mechanics as simple as possible
All the levels in TOK have relaxing piano music that plays in the background. The game features pastel colors and a soft glow to interactive pieces. The feel of the game invites relaxation and taking things at the player’s own pace.
Later levels can have multiple threads
The controls of TOK are very simple, using only mouse movement and the left mouse button to navigate and rotate pieces. I did, however, wish the right mouse button had been useable to rotate pieces the other direction, or that clicks on a piece queued up so the player didn’t have to wait for the rotation animation to click again when the piece needed to be rotated 270 degrees. Without this, there was a lot of clicking and waiting half a second.
A partially completed level
Unfortunately, TOK is only about an hour long including the ‘DLC’ levels (included in the base game). I’d have loved to have more levels to pass the time and help unwind. It’s clearly intended to be a short experience, and already two more games are included in the series (TOK 2 and TOK HARDCORE) which increase the difficulty of the puzzles.
A completed level!
Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed the relaxing nature of TOK. The puzzles are simple, and the music and visuals are quite pleasant. While the rotations could become a little repetitive, this didn’t impede the gameplay. I’m excited to see there are more games in the series. I recommend TOK to all fans of relaxing puzzle games.
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Categories: Desktop games, Video game reviews
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