SiNKR 2 – Review (PC)

By Dave Lambden Last updated May 8, 2019

SiNKR 2 is the follow up to Wahler Digital’s 2018 award winning hook-line-and-sinker puzzle game. This is a game all about minimalism and simplicity – through it’s design, visual style, audi,o and gameplay elements. Its impressive development was further simplified given that this is the product of just one person, Robert Wahler. SiNKR 2 looks to reel players in again with its easy to pick up and difficult to put down puzzle elements.

The goal of each level in SiNKR 2 is as simple and straight forward as the game’s aesthetic – move shapes into designated holes. Once all shapes are cleared from the stage, you’ve beaten the level. The player is given no direct control over these shapes. Rather, you need to take control of hooks to maneuver shapes from their origin to a target. Hooks can be reeled in at their origin, and you’ll need to be careful not to move a hook too far. Careful planning is required to prevent multiple repeats of stages. In later and more complex levels, I often found myself staring at the level for several minutes before making a single move – similar to a game of chess. This allowed me to understand where the true obstacles and sticking points of each level lay. There was a genuinely rewarding sense of accomplishment when I was able to complete a larger stage with only a few tries and a substantial amount of mental arithmetic.

Things get increasingly complex when the game throws half a dozen hooks and close to ten different shapes on screen that all need to be put in their place. In some cases, specific shapes need to reach predefined targets. As an example, squares can only be placed in square holes, whereas circular shapes can land in either square or circular holes. But once a hole has been filled by a single shape, it cannot be used for another. Later stages also provide the players with launch pads and portals for shape movement to further complicate things.

Advertisements

Meticulous maneuvering and arrangement of shapes is the name of the game. The player will also have the ability in many cases to flip their hooks into a mirrored position allowing them to reach different areas of the maps. Multiple hooks can also be linked together to allow them to move in tandem and rewind your movements. Despite the intricacy of the levels, SiNKR 2 allows you to quickly restart and replay levels. Furthermore, you a provided with an “undo” command that grants the ability to retract the previous move. These are handy tools as you’ll often find yourself at the point of no return after making a wrong play with your hooks and shapes. A stats screen accessible from the main menu gives you the ability to track different game play figures such as time played, number of moves, and times levels have been restarted.

SiNKR 2‘s simplicity is accompanied by equally austere yet elegant audio elements. Virtually everything in the game is queued by a distinct audible piano note. Each interaction with hooks, reels, and shapes produces a relaxing and quaint noise appropriate to the move. Clearing a stage delivers an upbeat medley of keys. Conversely, failing a level clunks the player over the head with a lower end set of tones. An ominous and relaxing digital track plays in the background and complements the piano very well. It is such a small part of the game yet is provides so much to the character that the developer was going for. The visual style unfortunately does not exude the same level of distinction. Naturally this is not a game where visual are all that important. I just would have like to have seen background graphics change some what as you progress through the games levels.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for an accessible and relaxing puzzle game that you can play at your leisure, SiNKR 2 may be just what you need. Touting quick pick up and play puzzles, this isn’t a game that demands much from the player. Despite its simplicity, the game manages to be rewarding and enjoyable throughout it’s eighty seven levels.