Free puzzle platformer game

Octagon is a free puzzle arcade game that features simple gameplay, simple objective, yet turns out into an addictive experience. The simplistic platformer was developed by Lukas Korba, creating an instant classic with this video game that’s both visually appealing and increasingly challenging.

Octagon is reminiscent of games such as Flappy Mac or 2048 Tile! in the sense that despite their relatively easy gameplay mechanics, achieving the goal becomes increasingly difficult and frustrating. This, however, makes the game addictive as it creates a sense of necessity to complete the latest level after completing all that came before it.

Get to the other end

In the Octagon app, there’s not much fanfare. Only an option for settings, sound, and the button to start playing immediately. The game has a simple objective: guide the ball through what is basically an octagon-shaped tube of a level to the other end. The stage, however, is filled with gaps and obstacles. You’ll have to avoid falling off and have to stay on the platforms until you get to the end of the level.

In terms of controls, there are only three movement options available to you and the ball. You can either tap or swipe left or right to move the ball sideways and move across platforms, or you can swipe upwards to clear vertical gaps and move to the “roof” of the octagon. These controls give an impression of the entire stage rotating and could cause a sense of disorientation within the game, which adds challenge as the gaps and obstacles come at you faster.

What makes this addictive despite its increasing difficulty is its vibrant colors paired with smooth animation. Whether you jump upwards to the ceiling or swipe sideways, you will definitely feel the octagon turn. However, you will never have problems identifying one game element from another. The endless void that surrounds the safe platforms are clearly defined from each other, and the same goes with the ball that you try to guide all the way through.

Rough corners and shortcomings

While Octagon is a minimalist video game that banks on its vividly colorful visuals, it lacks good music. It uses edgy electronic music that starts to feel repetitive and droning after a few moments of playing the game. Also, some players report that the sound doesn’t help with the gameplay, as it becomes increasingly out of sync with the level speed, causing players’ timings to get thrown off at times.

Another concern with this game is the rapid increase in the skill level. Some players find it almost impossible to beat despite trying repeatedly. There’s a time limit for reaching the other end. With each obstacle you hit, the ball slows down. The same goes for endless mode, where you only need to keep the ball on the octagon for as long as you can. It doesn’t have a time limit, but the game still gets faster as you progress.

If you’re up for a challenge

Octagon is a fun and challenging experience for gamers with quick responses and good control over knee-jerk reactions. It offers a steadily increasing difficulty wrapped in visually appealing stage designs. However, this game can not please all players as some can’t keep up with the increasing speed of the game. If you’re looking for a good challenge to the fingers and the eyes, this game is highly recommended.