Summary
There’s something deeply satisfying about a puzzle piece sliding into place. That small moment of victory, of knowing exactly where something belongs. Montreal studioDarZal(a portmanteau of founders Darzington and Zalinus) Games brings this satisfaction toSteamwith 6 Sided Stories, a game built around making those moments happen more often.
The game’s hint system feels more like a gentle tap on the shoulder, with hexagonal puzzle pieces that softly wiggle and glow just when needed. It’s these small, thoughtful touches that makepuzzle-solvingfeel like a warm conversation rather than a test, showing how welcoming these games can be.
A Season Of Stories
The game follows a curious cat through four whole seasons of adventure, with each story told through scattered images waiting to be reconstructed. These puzzles break from tradition, replacing standard jigsaw pieces with hexagonal fragments that players can flip and rotate, matching colors and patterns to recreate each scene. “I’ve had that experience I’m sure many players have,“developer Nicole Parmenier explains, “where you try and try, and you don’t know the solution. Maybe the game doesn’t have a hint system, or the hint isn’t clicking.”
Taking a more relaxed approach to puzzle design, 6-Sided Stories begins by displaying the complete image, similar to a traditional jigsaw puzzle box. The game offers subtle guidance through gentle glowing effects when pieces need to be flipped. Players begin their journey in spring with simple arrangements, and as the seasons progress, the challenge naturally evolves into more intricate winter landscapes. “It’s like going from a small jigsaw puzzle to a bigger one,” Parmenier says, though the progression feels so smooth that the increasing complexity remains almost unnoticeable.
The story behind DarZal Games mirrors their own puzzles, with each piece falling perfectly into place. The founders, Darzington and Zalinus (Nicole Parmenier), found their path together early - already a couple before university who both chose computer science, turning weekend game jams into something more. “We weren’t sure we were gonna love working together,” Parmenier laughs, but those doubts quickly faded.
Building Together
Their first game,Quest Giver, proved they could blend their talents as naturally as their lives. Now, between Darzington’s programming job and Zalinus' lead development work, which she navigates through an innovative voice-control setup - they craft puzzles together. This spirit of finding creative solutions and building something shared flows through everything they make.
While most puzzle games draw inspiration from other puzzles, DarZal found their muse in slice-of-life anime, those gentle stories where gentle moments and everyday connections hold more value than conflict. “Those shows made me feel so warm and fuzzy,” Parmenier shares. “We needed to capture that feeling.” This warmth radiates throughout the game, from the seasonal transitions to the character interactions, making each completed puzzle feel like a small, cozy victory.
A Warm Welcome
The game’s focus on connection runs deep. From the animal characters that welcome players regardless of language or culture, to the gentle lo-fi beats byPurrple Cat,Tokyo Music Walker,KaizanBlu, andArtificial.Musicthat keep you company without demanding attention. Each new puzzle technique appears just when you’re ready, like a friend who knows exactly when to show you something new.
6 Sided Stories launches November 20 on Steam for $4.99, offering full PC, Linux, and Steam Deck support. The collection spans 43 puzzles that take anywhere from 90 minutes to five hours to complete, depending on the player’s pace and preference. Personally, I don’t think this is a game that’s meant to be rushed through. It’s crafted for those quiet evenings when putting pieces back together feels right.
In an industry that often mistakes complexity for depth, 6 Sided Stories stands as a quiet, comforting puzzle game that understands the true appeal of puzzle-solving.
Short And Sweet.
WHERE TO PLAY
A short and cozy puzzler with chill lofi beats: flip the puzzle pieces and colour them correctly to reveal the full picture! Discover how each image leads into the next, following a crew of adorable animals as they make friends and have wholesome adventures.
