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Proverbs

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac • 2024

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Quick resume

Proverbs is a picross/minesweeper hybrid featuring a single ENORMOUS puzzle, inspired by Bruegel the Elder's 1559 painting "Netherlandish Proverbs"

Global score

98/100

Genres

Casual, Puzzle

Pros

  • Relaxing and zen-like gameplay
  • Large, satisfying puzzle with many hours of content
  • Unique combination of minesweeper and picross mechanics
  • Educational proverbs and art history integration
  • Accessible and low-pressure puzzle solving

Cons

  • Some repetitive puzzle mechanics
  • Music can become grating over long sessions
  • Lack of customization or social features
  • No undo button and minor ux bugs reported
  • Regions without proverbs feel less meaningful

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players freely choose which puzzle section to solve next in any order, supporting personal control and pacing."

  • Competence
    3

    "The game offers logical puzzles that require skillful deduction, but difficulty is moderate and consistent without extreme challenge."

  • Competition
    -4

    "No competitive elements or comparison to others; focus is on personal progress and relaxation."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Many players report long play sessions and habitual return to the game, indicating strong desire to keep playing."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer features."

  • Creativity
    2

    "Players engage in logical deduction and pattern recognition, but no creation or modification of game content."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; purely individual puzzle solving."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Many reviews describe the game as relaxing, calming, and a way to zone out or destress from real life."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting
    1

    "Some exploration of puzzle strategies and use of hints, but mostly following logical deduction routines."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Players explore different puzzle sections and gradually reveal parts of a large painting, discovering proverbs."

  • Expression
    -3

    "No character or environment customization; presentation is fixed and standardized."

  • Fantasy
    -4

    "Game is based on realistic art and logical puzzles without fictional or imaginative elements."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; strictly solo play."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players develop logical reasoning skills and learn about proverbs and art history."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles; not designed for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No social interaction or relationship building."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players progress by completing puzzle sections, unlocking parts of the painting and proverbs."

  • Relaxation
    5

    "Strongly described as a relaxing, zen-like experience with calming music and no pressure."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Pleasant visual and auditory feedback with satisfying sounds and art reveal, but moderate sensory stimulation."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story
    3

    "Narrative is minimal but present through revealing proverbs and explanations tied to the painting."

  • Strategy
    3

    "Requires logical problem solving and pattern recognition, but no complex or multi-layered strategy."

  • Thrill
    -4

    "No suspense or risk; gameplay is calm and predictable."

  • Value
    4

    "Players feel they receive good value for time spent due to large puzzle size and satisfying gameplay."

  • Violence
    -5

    "No combat or destructive elements; gameplay is constructive and peaceful."

  • Survival
    -5

    "No threats or failure states; stable and forgiving puzzle environment."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026