Kenshō Reviews

I downloaded it because it was visually beautiful and mysterious. The instructions are minimal, I thought intentionally. Other games/puzzles which involve a visual logic are similar. It makes them charming. The guides are consistent, which is part of the challenge.
What isn’t clear is where the game is ultimately going after it stopped the way you proceeded and introduced something which seemed to go nowhere. I addressed this today in a message to this app. I only had one other occasion to contact them when I couldn’t solve a puzzle; the response was rapid and helpful without giving any hints or strategies.
For anyone contemplating downloading this game, don’t let
My most recent problem discourage you. It’s a delight to look at and a challenge as they introduce each twist.
I don’t care for the music which is distracting, so I turn it off. I like the sound effects. I gave this a 5 star rating because the whole experience was mesmerizing. It is not easy to stop, but that is a problem in the discipline of the player.

Straight up this is one of the most beautiful puzzle games I've played in years. Reminds me visually of Blockwick, One of my favorites. And before you think this game is all looks let me assure you it is also a great puzzle game. It takes a pretty simple puzzle concept and leverages it into something special by giving you a reason to keep playing. At risk of sounding a little kooky I have to see there's a certain spirit this game that seems very sincere but is hard to describe. Lots of games try to look beautiful as part of their appeal but this one seems to have a real beating heart of it's own. I bought a beautiful stuffed deer they linked to in Kenshō as well, and can't wait to see it!

I find the game more frustrating than fun, and although the gameplay mechanics are interesting and cool, the structure of the game disappoints me: It relies on random generation. I love the puzzles that unlock the doors (those don't rely on randomness), but the main game feels luck based. This is why I heavily prefer puzzle games with specificly designed levels, rather than games like this and candy crush where random generation is a part of the game, and the levels are different each time they're played. It’s more of a strategy game, which isn’t my thing but that’s just me.

If puzzles that rely on random generation are your cup of tea, get the game... but there are some really great puzzles out there that are so much better. I guess it depends on what you’re looking for.

Graphics are very impressive here, music is nice, gotta say though.

Update: Of the solutions I listed below, #2 was implemented. Yay! However, it is still true that you can somewhat “muscle” your way through the game. There is no penalty to filling the board, so you can still win any level by repeatedly pressing one button until you get lucky. However, smart play just speeds things up.

Old Review:
This is a beautiful game with a fundamental design flaw: often times the best way to progress is to fill your board and “lose”.

I’ll try and explain as succinctly as possible:

1) Puzzles have a set start place.
2) Each requires you to gain five pieces.
3) They get harder as they go and your board fills up.
4) If you fail, it restarts to puzzle 1 of 5.
5) However, you don’t lose any collected pieces!

Therefore, it’s boring but possible to progress like this:
1) Get a piece.
2) Fail on purpose.
3) Get that same piece again.
-repeat until done

Possible fixes:
1) Lose collected pieces: players must collect all five without failing.
2) Randomize the start of each puzzle.
3) Add an achievement of some kind for finishing without losing.

This game is artsy enough, one of those fixes may be present but invisible to me at this point.

Fun game. Once I moved up a few levels it became kind of tricky, but I started to pay attention to all the other squares moving around and it became easier to figure out. I'm not done yet and look forward to the rest of the puzzles in this game.
Without knowing all the mechanics there is still a lot randomness in the game. In my opinion. Any fun game. Or game I'm interested in playing takes a bit of a learning curve or skill, but also mixes a bit of the unknown into it. The random surprise factors. In my opinion. It a balance of these two aspects that makes a game fun to play. A balance of skill mixed with the unknown.

I usually never write reviews on apps, or even rate them, but this one deserves every one of the 5 stars. After seeing Kenshō as “game of the day” it instantly got my attention. You really can’t get mad when playing this game, the music is so relaxing and calming. The graphics and animations are silky smooth, so pleasing to watch the animation after solving the puzzle. The combination of the nature and music makes the perfect environment to become immersed into. This game needs more attention, without a doubt should be the #1 app on the list.

It is a super swell 3s game but it would’ve been better if they’d left out the fancy cut scenes, went for a wee bit more minimal approach and made it free...but then there would be ads - total drag - but free is THE magic word, doesn’t matter who you are. The super rich are some of the scroogiest (to use a seasonal metaphor) most cheapass tight mf’s you’ll encounter...funny enough. That’s mainly why they’re such terrible terrible people. When money means more than life, explicitly human life, then one should make arrangements to have all of their assets to go to worthwhile sources and donate their remains to organ transplantation and universities anytime before they find it irresistible to end their life. 😀

This game started out fun but then became tedious and boring. While there is concept of parts and keys you basically have to solve 25 of the same puzzle per level, and each level is a variant of the prior. I found playing early levels fun, until the “random” level kicked in, which removes a lot of skill. Then the “force field” levels really bored me because there are long sequences of fixed moves required and if you fail you start over. The levels aren’t different enough to keep my interest and long sequences of moves over and over just aren’t fun for me at least. The little movies between levels are creative but they have nothing to do with the levels. Disappointed to say the least.

At first I was like “okay why is this game $4?” And then I listened with my in-ear monitors and I really got to appreciate the sound masterpiece that it is. Then I noticed the visuals in the cut scenes. It has me thinking what it could all be about as the drama unfolds. I am determined to experience this all the way through. There is something satisfying when you hear the stones move especially when you match 3. I can’t stress enough, I recommend in-ear monitors as opposed to regular earbuds. This game is a symphony. ***** Five Stars

This game is brilliant! The story is very entrancing, and the game play is absolutely made with the music. I love that each level is unique and that if you “fail” you don’t have to start all over on building all the keys, you only have to start over on the single piece of the key you are currently trying to get. The graphics of this game are incredible and very immersive! I don’t really have any complaints about this game. This might be my new favorite! I just hope it last a bit because I’m loving it! update***** PLEASE MAKE A SEQUAL!!!!

I really enjoy this game, but I’ve noticed that
my phone will start to get unusually hot after just a few minutes of playing. This doesn’t happen with any other app except this one. My phone will also automatically dim the brightness (even though it says it’s all the way up) once it has gotten hot. It’s a bit concerning that an app can cause that. Other than that, the game concept is great.

..... a splendid, surreal soundtrack and this author's annoying alliteration.

The Puzzles are challenging enough to hold one's attention without becoming a headache spewing explicative. My only wish is that I could spend more time exploring the worlds in between the puzzles. There the vibe is relaxed and ethereal providing a perfect interlude while the brain recharges for the next set of puzzles. The animation reminds me very much of Mahiro Maeda’s Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo. Enchanted, mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful.

I expected way more for purchasing this game, especially since it won Editor’s Choice. It looks and sounds fancy, but anyone can beat the game. I’m not even that good at puzzles and I beat it. I was expecting to get stuck and play a level over and over then finally beat it by chance after a day or so but that didn’t happen. An earlier review mentioned it, but I’ll say it too: the game is easily beatable because all you have to do is fail at an attempt to capture a key part, then the board resets with your current progress of collecting keys. For me, this isn’t an app I’d open over and over again.
And I agree with the other reviews, your battery will drain fast with this game and your phone will heat up.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for puzzles with good graphics and interesting music, purchase Kenshō.

3 stars for awesome graphics. 👍🏼

I don't usually play games on my phone but one one day when I was checking out Kenshō store this one really stood out. The music and the colors, just everything about this game is so peaceful and relaxing. The puzzles are challenging but not in a frustrating way, they are a fun, gotta keep going kind of challenge.I highly recommend it.

Absolutely love the game play but just a couple of things. The contrast of some of the colors on the levels are so similar to each other making the game harder for color impaired viewers.

But my main issue is with the game is the battery drain... I literately just downloaded the game and had 83% battery life and in just 10 minutes of game play I’m down to 32%!! And my phone got pretty hot as result. Again, the game play and music are absolutely great but the battery drain is three times as bad as candy crush! Fix it and I’ll give it 5 stars and a rave re-review.

—- in reply to support
Thanks you for the immediate response and changing the settings to normal made a huge difference in battery consumption. It still heats up he phone quite a bit but not nearly as bad as when it was in best quality mode.

This game is a good puzzle game, reminds me a little but of Monument Valley, it’s a puzzle game, but it’s got a sort of story behind it, there’s a main character, and it’s even a little ominous! 😦 It’s kinda confusing though, plus, there’s not really a clear way of getting the piece of the key 🤔 I like how there is a puzzle to open the door though and I love the cute this app deer!! 😊🦌 btw would have rated 4 1/2 stars ✨ but I don’t think I’m able too 🤨 good game 👍👍👍

This is a great game but it’s due for an update. I’ve waited for an update for a while now and there hasn’t been one for a long time ever since November or December. I like the way this game makes you think out of the box to come up with a solution in order to solve the puzzles it shows. I just wish there were more levels so that I can play. Please add more levels to the game and make it more stable. Thank you!

Wow. Wow! Im literally in awe of this app!!! This is one absolutely AMAZING game. After only playing this game for a few minutes, I can most certainly say I'm left speechless and ready to play some more. Stunning graphics. Freaking awesome soundtrack. It's a perfect game in my book. Props after props to the developers of this game for doing some extraordinary work.
Can't wait to see what else they come up with!

This is what mobile gaming should strive to be. Simple to learn but can be challenging to master. Beautiful graphics. Engrossing sound. And most importantly - not designed to make you pay to play.

Take my money - and when you make something new, take my money again.

Thank you for making this beautiful game

I am somewhat challenged as far as spatial and mechanical reasoning skills, so this game is maybe a little harder for me than it would be for the average person. But the gorgeous graphics and the calming music make this game a pleasure to play. And you get endless chances to keep working out the solutions to the levels. A lot of fun to play!