Splice
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Splice
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Splice is a puzzle game with a vaguely science-y theme and no controversial content. However, this doesn't mean that it's appropriate for all ages. The puzzles -- which involve reorganizing cells into specific patterns -- can be extremely challenging, and no tutorial is offered. There is a good chance it will leave younger players -- and perhaps many older ones, too -- fairly frustrated.
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What’s It About?
SPLICE is a puzzle game in which players attempt to manipulate groups of cells into specific patterns based on an evolving set of game rules in a limited number of moves. Groups of cells reconfigure themselves in specific ways when you click on them. Players need to learn the logic that governs how and why they do what they do (or simply rely on the blind luck of trial-and-error play) in order to solve each puzzle in the allotted number of moves. What's more, cells identified by special markings have specific abilities that players must work out on their own. Some might split themselves and any strands below them into two strands, while others may copy themselves by spurting out an extra cell directly below them. The entire experience is set inside a single microscopic environment, with the nebulous narrative appearing to document the evolution of cellular structures. The cell's growth corresponds to the puzzle's difficulty.
Is It Any Good?
Despite its simple point-and-click interface, Splice is one of the more challenging puzzle games you're likely to encounter. The rules that the cells follow can be very difficult to discern (a series of tutorials would have gone a long way toward eliminating this problem), and once you have them figured out, they can be hard to apply in your imagination as you try to predict what will happen more than one or two moves in advance. There's a good chance you'll end up solving many of the puzzles by pure luck after a lot of random clicks rather than through skill. That said, those who cue to the game's thorny logic could find some deep satisfaction in these visual conundrums.
Regardless, it's impossible not to appreciate the game's beautiful design. Everything -- even the game menus -- exists in a single microscopic world, with previous puzzles floating in a murky, blurred background. It's a quirky and ingenious bit of presentation that's sure to prove memorable, even if the puzzles aren't.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about using reason to solve problems. Do you experience a sense of satisfaction upon working out a problem that requires brains over brawn? What sorts of real-world conundrums have you solved simply by thinking about them?
They can also talk about playing puzzle games. Is this one of your favorite genres? If so, why?
Game Details
- Platforms: Mac, Windows
- Subjects: Science: biology, chemistry, Math: patterns, shapes
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, deduction, solving puzzles
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Cipher Prime
- Release date: June 18, 2012
- Genre: Puzzle
- Topics: Science and Nature
- ESRB rating: NR for (Not available)
- Last updated: November 6, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
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Pushmo
Engaging and affordable puzzler, with great replay.
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Lumines: Electronic Symphony
Great puzzler puts kids' strategy skills to the test.
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World of Goo
Brilliant physics-based puzzler turns player into engineer.
For kids who love puzzles and thinking games
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