Puzzle games come in all shapes and sizes. No matter what the style or theme, they usually start off easy and then break you. Freshly Frosted does just this thanks to its cute theme, colourful levels, and gentle learning curve. 

Developed and published by The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, this is a testing puzzle title. It has doughnuts at its core, but it’s anything but sweet. Thanks to the conveyor belt mechanics, you must be patient and methodical in your approach.

Freshly Frosted is a game I previewed in June 2021 as part of the Steam Fest. Needless to say, I was impressed and was desperate to try the full game. Now this time has come. Am I still in for a treat, or will it make me sick?

There are plenty of strategy conveyor belt games, but the puzzle genre is seriously lacking. Thankfully, Freshly Frosted blasts onto the scene with some interesting and unique ideas. Consequently, you experience a challenging and moreish title from the off.

The idea is simple! You must deliver doughnuts from points A, B, C, or D to an end goal. The amount of starting points vary, as does the aim of each stage. You must place conveyor belts to pass frosting machines to top each treat. However, you must add toppings in a specific order to be victorious. Therefore, you must plan your paths, produce the correct doughnuts, and move to the next level.

Now, as a concept, it doesn’t sound that challenging, right? Wrong! As you progress through each of the 144 levels, it becomes mind-bogglingly challenging. With an array of toppings to use, delivery hatches that take specific orders, and belts that must be combined, it’s pretty tough.

Luckily, though, the developers aren’t monsters, as you can skip puzzles or use hints. The latter option is perfectly balanced, as it doesn’t undermine the difficulty. Instead, it gives you small clues to get you started. I loved this approach, as too many puzzle games get it wrong. They either give you unlimited tips and it’s too easy, or no help and it’s impossible to play.

Playing out from a top-down perspective, the puzzles are easy to look at. What’s more, each of the 12 chapters has a unique appearance. With different doughnuts to deliver and a specific colour palette, it never gets old. Alongside this, I adored the soft pastel shades that create a serene atmosphere. You’ll love the surreal trip through seasons as the action cycles from winter to autumn. You’ll also experience a day-night cycle and plenty of treats to look at.

The calm experience is enhanced because of the mellow audio. With chilled out music and a softly spoken narrator, you never feel rushed. However, the factory noises and clunky machinery add some grit to the gameplay. The polar opposites wonderfully combine to create a powerful audio experience.

There is a long list of failed games that don’t work on consoles. For one reason or another, they feel clunky and slow. Fortunately, Freshly Frosted is an excellent port. With responsive controls and a simple but effective UI, it’s a joy to play. You can easily place your belts, adjust their direction, or remove them altogether. It’s brilliantly straightforward and is exactly what is required.

144 stages of increasing difficulty are no mean feat. Consequently, completing this game is not for the faint of heart. Luckily, though, you can tackle it casually and this makes it rewarding. However, if you simply love to unlock achievements, you won’t find it so difficult. I have spent around 6 hours so far and the end isn’t in sight. The sheer amount of puzzles ensures great value for money and that it has longevity.

Alongside this, an array of new mechanics increases the difficulty. Thankfully, this prevents the action from plateauing and this is fantastic. You’ll merge belts, clone doughnuts, play with splitters and more. Though each new element was simple to understand, it made the puzzles much harder, and this keeps you on your toes.

Everyone loves a sweet treat and to be tested. Subsequently, Freshly Frosted ticks many boxes. Its levels are deceptively difficult and its mechanics are devilishly moreish. I adored it and I recommend you to buy it here! Use a methodical approach and decorate every doughnut. 

Freshly Frosted is a fun and sweet puzzle title. With an array of mechanics to overcome and many doughnuts to ice, you must be logical and patient to be victorious. Furthermore, it's wonderfully surreal and calm thanks to the pastel colour palette, serene music, and slow gameplay.

(Rating: PEGI 3 Release date: 10/06/2022 Price: £7.19)

(Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One, PC (Steam), Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)

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