Many of you who follow me on Twitter will be well aware that I love picross puzzle games. According to my Switch profile, I’ve spent 50+ hours playing Picross S and another 35+ hours playing Picross S2.

So when the opportunity came up to try out Pic-a-Pix Deluxe as part of #IndieXmas2018, I jumped at the chance.

For those unfamiliar with picross, it’s a type of puzzle created in the 1980s where you have to use logic to fill in a grid and reveal a hidden picture. Picross S and Picross S2 just have black and white puzzles, but one of the things that really excited me about Pic-a-Pix Deluxe is that it has colour puzzles as well.

First Pic-a-Pix Deluxe puzzle done! #IndieXmas2018 #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/zU0RS4gAWf

— Will Fletcher (@WillFletchUK) December 22, 2018

These colour puzzles, add a new dimension to the puzzle. And that new dimension certainly got me thinking – it took a while for me to adapt my style for the fact that there is more than one colour in play.

One of the things I love about Pic-a-Pix Deluxe and games like it is the gradual sense of progress as you work through the puzzle and uncover the picture @lightwoodgames @IndieGamerChick #IndieXmas2018 pic.twitter.com/kMTsU4qrt8

— Will Fletcher (@WillFletchUK) December 23, 2018

For both black and white and colour puzzles alike, it’s something that I find almost therapeutic. I really love having a puzzle game on the go that I can play a little bit every day when I wake up and before bed. It helps me let go of anything that’s bothering me, by forcing my mind to focus on something entirely different.

And playing a little every day would certainly take a fair while to complete the game, as Pic-a-Pix Deluxe is chock full of puzzles. In total it has 150 colour puzzles and 150 back and white puzzles, that took me 50+ hours to complete. Although I got my copy for free, I definitely wouldn’t complain at the amazing value for money that that would represent if I’d bought it from the eShop.

There’s also a mass of DLC available, with 50(!) different DLC packs in total. In the UK these mostly are priced at £1.99 or £2.99 and come with an additional 30, 45 or 60 puzzles depending on the pack. But there is one bumper pack available as well, with 150 extra puzzles for £3.49.

I’m yet to try any of the DLC, but I suspect it’s something I’ll gradually purchase and complete throughout the year. It’s great knowing that I can keep coming back to Pic-a-Pix Deluxe for more content.

Pic-a-Pix Deluxe is a great puzzle game with loads of content. If you’ve played and enjoyed similar puzzle games like Picross, then you’re bound to enjoy it. And if you’ve never tried this type of puzzle game, then Pic-a-Pix Deluxe is a great place to start, as there’s a free demo you can try out on the eShop.

Pic-a-Pix Deluxe is available to purchase from the Nintendo Switch eShop for £6.99 / €7.99 / $7.99. Also available from the same developer on Nintendo Switch are two more picross puzzle games: Fill-a-Pix: Phil’s Epic Adventure and Pic-a-Pix Pieces.

Editorial note: I received a free code for Pic-a-Pix Deluxe as part of #IndieXmas2018, an initiative hosted by @IndieGamerChick