Please Fix the Road
| Please Fix the Road | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Arielek |
| Publisher(s) | Silesia Games |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Please Fix the Road is a 2022 puzzle video game developed by Polish studio Arielek and published by Silesia Games. It was released in June 2022 for Windows; the game is unique in that a compromised version is also offered free-to-play for players that would rather pirate video games through a torrent.[1] It in May 2024 for Nintendo Switch. The game received a positive reception, with praise for its calm atmosphere and graphics but criticism for its gameplay.
Gameplay
[edit]In Please Fix the Road, the player must finish an incomplete road using their provided resources. Across 160 levels,[2] the player has a limited amount of bombs to clear land and road tiles to add paths, both of which come in different shapes and sizes. In some levels of the game, the terrain is uneven, and the player may also have to finish a railroad or canal network. At any point in the game, they can undo a move, take a hint, or restart the level.[3]
Development and release
[edit]Please Fix the Road was developed by Arielek, the solo developer studio of Ariel Jurkowski.[4] The game was previously a Flash game produced in 2014.[5] The game was released on June 10, 2022, for Windows,[5][6] and on May 16, 2024, for Nintendo Switch.[7] Jurkowski also released the game for torrent sites, allowing users to download a pirated version with no updates and limited features,[6][8] and several pirate-themed changes.[9]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 80/100[10] |
| OpenCritic | 80% recommend[11] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| The Guardian |   [3] |
The game has a "generally favorable" score of 80 on Metacritic.[10] On OpenCritic, the game has a "strong" approval rating of 80%.[11]
Critics appreciated Please Fix the Road's quiet nature.[3] Keith Stuart of The Guardian compared the game to a combination of Tetris and Pipe Mania, giving praise to its gradual learning curve.[3] However, critics noticed the game's lack of camera rotation and its overuse of "trial and error" gameplay.[2][12]
The game's graphics and animation were praised.[3][4][5] Ed Nightingale of Eurogamer praised how the visuals added a "cinematic flair",[2] while Vandal's Manu Delgado commented that the game's minimalist graphics hinder the player's ability to preview their next move.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Saed, Sherif (9 May 2022). "Pirates added to pirate-less indie game as a treat for pirates". VG247. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Nightingale, Ed (16 June 2022). "Please Fix The Road review - a polite yet fiendish little puzzle game". Eurogamer. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Stuart, Keith (9 June 2022). "Please Fix the Road review – turn chaos to calm in this pleasing puzzle". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b Diaz, Ana (14 March 2022). "Fix roads and untangle waterways in this chill, gorgeous puzzler". Polygon. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Nelson, Jared (8 June 2022). "Visually Stunning Puzzler Please Fix The Road Hits PC this Week, and a Mobile Port is Being Considered". TouchArcade. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ a b Reeve, Justin (12 June 2022). "This Indie Developer Wants People To Pirate Their Game". TheGamer. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ Norman, Jim (2 May 2024). "Please Fix The Road Is The Perfect Puzzler For Anyone With A Pothole Problem". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ Chalk, Andy (9 May 2022). "Indie dev is releasing an official pirate version of his upcoming game, 'no strings attached'". PC Gamer. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ Fujiwara, Hideaki (13 June 2022). "道路修理パズル『Please Fix The Road』発売と同時に"公式海賊版"が本当に配信される。皮肉の効いた特別仕様" [An "official pirated version" of the road repair puzzle Please Fix The Road will be distributed at the same time as its release. A special version with irony]. Automaton (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Please Fix The Road". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Please Fix The Road". OpenCritic. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ a b Delgado, Manu (10 June 2022). "Análisis de Please Fix The Road, puzles gratificantes al estilo minimalista (PC, Switch, Xbox One, PS5, PS4)" [Please Fix The Road Review: Rewarding Puzzles in Minimalist Style (PC, Switch, Xbox One, PS5, PS4)]. Vandal (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 October 2024.