Hook: Complete Edition (XSX) Review

I have to admit that my expectations of Hook: Complete Edition were rather low when I first cast my eye over the screenshots. It just looked so lackluster, so uninspiring. However, these early reservations were soon resolved as I fell for its wily charms and into its baited trap.

Hook: Complete Edition is the epitome of the “simplicity is key” mantra. There are no detailed graphics, no storyline to follow, there’s not even a lot of color – just a plain, no nonsense puzzle game that leaves all the bells and whistles at home in favor of a pick up and play approach that burns time at an alarming rate.

What You See is What You Get in Hook: Complete Edition

With Hook: Complete Edition you get exactly what you see on the proverbial box. There are no hidden surprises waiting to throw you off your game, leaving you all the headspace needed to concentrate on the task at hand distraction free.

The puzzle element itself is also simple, yet the later stages can seem so difficult. I’m currently sat at around the mid-point of the game at level 50 and have found myself scratching my head from time to time at some of these latest stages.

The aim of the game is to remove all of the hooks from the screen. While this sounds like a pretty straightforward goal (and it really is in the first ten stages), the game gets progressively more challenging the further you advance. To properly solve the puzzles you need to take a step back and stare at the problem until you think you have a solution. You see, the hooks won’t simply slide out of their position like you grow accustomed to in the early levels; instead their ways will be blocked by other hooks and it’s your job to work out the best approach to free them. However, three wrong selections and the puzzle will reset itself, so think carefully before you make a move.

A False Sense of Security

Just as Hook: Complete Edition lulls you into a false sense of security and you find your rhythm, this delightful little gem of a game will throw a spanner into the works to throw you off your stride and reintroduce challenge to your experience. These spanners have so far come in the form of switchable “tracks” and what can only be described as WiFi tethering as you try to navigate your way through the stage matching WiFi symbols to wirelessly control other sections of the screen.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m only at the halfway point of the game and it’s clear that Hooks: Complete Edition has a lot more tricks up its sleeve waiting for me around the corner. Our esteemed friends at Ultimate Games SA have done a superb job on how quickly the difficulty increases too.

Hook: Complete Edition Soundtrack

I don’t often mention a game’s soundtrack when I’m penning a review, simply because a lot of soundtracks don’t tend to stick out to me. Hook: Complete Edition, however, boasts a mellow backing track that plays gently in the background, perfectly adding to the tranquil ambience that the game so clearly prides itself on. It really is the perfect package for relaxation and unwinding after a chaotic day fighting penguins, or whatever it is you do for a living.

Hook: Complete Edition in a Nutshell

Relaxing, charming, challenging and graceful, Hook: Complete Edition is the ideal choice for any fan of puzzle games. It will draw you in with its chilled-out ambience before keeping you hooked with its engaging gameplay.