When comparing Hexcells Infinite vs Braid, the Slant community recommends Braid for most people. In the question“What are the best Puzzle games on Steam?” Braid is ranked 13th while Hexcells Infinite is ranked 17th. The most important reason people chose Braid is:
On the outset, Braid looks like any other platformer but once any time is spent with the game, users soon find that the puzzles are deviously difficult, forcing users to think outside of the box and even time itself.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Level generates infinite solvable puzzles
The game has a random level generator to create a near infinite supply of levels, and the built in level solver makes sure that every level is beatable.
Pro Clever twist on minesweeper
Hexcells Infinite is like minesweeper mixed with picross on a hexagon grid with clever layouts and hints to keep the puzzles interesting.
Pro Resizable window
You can change the window dimensions arbitrarily after the game has started which is great if you're playing a game on the side of doing something else. The game board also resizes to fit the height of the window. Only problem is that some HUD elements don't re-position based on the width.
Pro Features challenging handmade puzzles
The game also features a "campaign" mode with different worlds and hand made levels that provide some challenging and interesting puzzles.
Pro Can be solved with pure logic
In games like minesweeper, sometimes you run into a 50/50 chance situation where you have no choice but to guess at the solution. The generator in Hexcells runs every puzzle through a solver to make sure that all puzzles can be solved with logic alone without any guessing or brute forcing a solution.
Pro Ambient noise soundtrack
The music in Hexcells is slow and relaxing for a great zen puzzle session so you can zone out if you're on a break or traveling. The sound effects also procedurally match with the music in tempo, so they aren't distracting, and they actually add to the music.
Pro Layered logic
The clues provided in Hexcells come in a variety of forms. They can be based around number of active cells around an inactive one, the row, or the number of active cells up to two spaces away from an active cell, and all these have potential modifiers on top of it. The game introduces you to the concepts slowly so it isn't too overwhelming, but all the different possible mechanics help keep the puzzles fresh and interesting, and makes you think in more ways than games like minesweeper will.
Pro Wonderfully challenging
On the outset, Braid looks like any other platformer but once any time is spent with the game, users soon find that the puzzles are deviously difficult, forcing users to think outside of the box and even time itself.
Pro Clever game mechanics
Braid utilizes a rewind mechanic wherein the player can rewind the action in the game at any time. This is coupled with puzzle layouts to each lever where the player has to use the rewind mechanics to reach certain spots in a level.
Pro Most brilliant puzzle mechanic and unique art style
Nearly the father of indies and an amazing experience that never gets old. A very unique experience.
Pro Unisual mechanics for genre
Time control is not much used in games of that type. Espesially when its used like core mechanic of the game.
Pro An ambiguous, yet impactful retelling of a man's downfall and a warning to others
Braid is a story about loss and obsessiveness and how those forces drive the hunt for redemption.
Cons
Con Randomly generated levels are not as intricate as main levels
While the randomly generated levels are fun, they are not as involved as the main levels designed by the developer.
Con Story is depressing
There is a definite sense of melancholy while playing this game which can make for a depressing experience while playing the game, which may reduce the amount of time played.