Pic-A-Block – PS5 Review

I can find it really hard to say much about games that keep themselves simple and to the point. Pic-A-Block is one of those games. A puzzle game from TreeFall Studios, it’s all about sliding and removing blocks. It holds very little mystery but it does work as advertised. Whilst it does succeed in presenting a cheap brainteaser, it does miss a couple of features that could’ve made the act of figuring things out a little smoother.

Pic-A-Block is a simple puzzle game where you move blocks into position to form a picture. You have four tools at your disposal. You can remove blocks, move them left or right or hold them in position. The blocks are stacked in columns so removing a lower block can bring the whole stack down.

Each level has an intended end goal of recreating the picture in the bottom right corner of the screen. It sounds easy enough but the logic required to figure things out can be tricky. I found myself counting blocks out to see if I had any spare. Positioning blocks could often require holding them or propping them up with spares so they wouldn’t drop past their intended target.

I do enjoy the thought process. Understanding what needs to be where and deciphering how to get there is interesting. There is satisfaction to be found in the journey and the end result. There very little superfluous about Pic-A-Block with your four tools being exactly what you need to get the job done. There is a mild encouragement for self-improvement as you’re scored on how few moves you take but I never felt pressured to speed through a puzzle.

There’s thirty puzzles in total. They don’t always escalate in difficulty with the special symbol puzzles feeling more like a respite. Any puzzle with a simple shape to accomplish is welcome as the more complex ones can feel time consuming. With everything being laid out on a grid, I could plan ahead and think about safe moves to make. A move counter is tracked but no limits are set in place. However long you take, a win is a win.

Despite the 3D appearance, each puzzle operates on a two-dimensional plane. The pictures you need to replicate are blocky, pixelated efforts that demonstrate a clear objective. As you delve into more complex challenges, the grid expands but the premise remains the same. In that sense, it doesn’t attempt to change the formula up or present surprises. It’s a very up-front experience and slight experience. Thankfully, the price tag reflects that.

Each puzzle can be quickly restarted and it does feel relatively instant. You can make it quicker by ditching the animations that play out. Personally, I prefer them as the board is presented in a cosy front room. It gives the game a little bit of charm. The music is mellow and, despite the two tracks, I’ve found it catchy. I would’ve liked more music to be available but it hasn’t bothered me just yet. Blocks clack together in a nice way and you are rewarded with a nice flourish when a level is completed.

The blocks are colourful and, at least for me, easy to read. Your cursor is clear and each block is marked out distinctly. I will say the indication that a block is locked could stand out more. A black target is placed around them and, in case where you’re dealing with black blocks, it result in some mistakes. I would’ve appreciated options to tweak the palette. On the whole, the options you have are very slim. It’s a basic package that accomplishes what it set out to do and no more.

That problem also arises with the small amount of puzzles. Again, it’s a cheap title so I can’t complain too much. Astute players will probably finish them in a handful of hours. Most of the trophies are fairly trivial to get and you’ll probably unlock the platinum long before all the puzzles are completed.

Whilst the quick restart is welcome, I do wish an undo button was present. I’ve had definite moments where I’ve realised a puzzle is dead-ended by an errant click. If I was missing something vital, my only option was to restart. These puzzles generally don’t take long but I would’ve loved the option to reverse a couple of steps.

I find games this small really hard to rate. It’s a slim package but what’s here performs as intended. Someone in the mood for a simple smattering of block puzzles could easily part with a few quid. I do wish it had an undo button as it can be frustrating to realise you’ve hit a dead end. The puzzle selection does range from trivial to tricky but, even so, it feels like a game that can be finished in a few hours of dedicated play. It’s fine but no more than that.