While I finished Glass Masquerade 2, I didn't have the best time with the game. In particular, it felt too exhausting on Hard difficulty and too easy and insufficiently varied on Normal.

Fortunately, Glass Masquerade 3 introduces a whole bunch of options and modes which make the experience of solving a level far more varied: different puzzle shapes (incl. the classic glass cut shapes from the previous titles), different puzzle solution styles (in circles from outside to inside; in rows from bottom to top; anywhere goes), optional badges; etc.

Due to this new plethora of options, I genuinely like this title now. I like that each level can be played in a bunch of modes; I like the optional badges (incl. one for solving a level in <= 7 min); I appreciate that Steam achievements are well-designed (e.g. there are no achievements for "collect all badges in all levels" or for "beat all levels in hard mode"); and so on.

You can play at a really low difficulty level (solve puzzles consisting of huge hexagons, by filling up rows from bottom to top) or at a very high one (place classic glass cut tiles after rotating them correctly). And you can adjust these settings all the time, or use random ones, etc. For example, I first solved all levels on Simple difficulty (no need to rotate pieces), and then later on collected all badges and solved all levels on Hard (rotation required) with the Classic cuts. I much prefer this experience over the exhaustion of part 2, where I eventually dropped down from Hard to Normal difficulty.

Masquerade 3 feels like a better game than Masquerade 2 in most ways... except for the art. The art in part 3 is very readable, and drawn in a way that feels very well-suited for puzzles. This is great! Unfortunately, the motifs are far less inspiring / evocative than in part 2. Which is not a surprise; just contrast the image titles and themes in part 2 (e.g. "Miracle, Monster, Monstrosity", or "the One Who Laughs") with the themes in part 3 (e.g. "Landmarks", "Seasons", or "Animals").

Ultimately, I recommend this game. Though here's hoping that part 4 will retain the great customizability, while being far more daring in its art.

PS, a tip: Despite the lack of in-game indication, puzzle dials can be rotated via the mouse wheel, which reveals any puzzle pieces which can currently be placed but which weren't visible on-screen.

While I finished Glass Masquerade 2, I didn't have the best time with the game. In particular, it felt too exhausting on Hard difficulty and too easy and insufficiently varied on Normal. Fortunately, Glass Masquerade 3 introduces a whole bunch of options and modes which make the experience of solving a level far more varied: different puzzle shapes (incl. the classic glass cut shapes from the previous titles), different puzzle solution styles (in circles from outside to inside; in rows from bottom to top; anywhere goes), optional badges; etc. Due to this new plethora of options, I genuinely like this title now. I like that each level can be played in a bunch of modes; I like the optional badges (incl. one for solving a level in <= 7 min); I appreciate that Steam achievements are well-designed (e.g. there are no achievements for "collect all badges in all levels" or for "beat all levels in hard mode"); and so on. You can play at a really low difficulty level (solve puzzles consisting of huge hexagons, by filling up rows from bottom to top) or at a very high one (place classic glass cut tiles after rotating them correctly). And you can adjust these settings all the time, or use random ones, etc. For example, I first solved all levels on Simple difficulty (no need to rotate pieces), and then later on collected all badges and solved all levels on Hard (rotation required) with the Classic cuts. I much prefer this experience over the exhaustion of part 2, where I eventually dropped down from Hard to Normal difficulty. Masquerade 3 feels like a better game than Masquerade 2 in most ways... except for the art. The art in part 3 is very readable, and drawn in a way that feels very well-suited for puzzles. This is great! Unfortunately, the motifs are far less inspiring / evocative than in part 2. Which is not a surprise; just contrast the image titles and themes in part 2 (e.g. "Miracle, Monster, Monstrosity", or "the One Who Laughs") with the themes in part 3 (e.g. "Landmarks", "Seasons", or "Animals"). Ultimately, I recommend this game. Though here's hoping that part 4 will retain the great customizability, while being far more daring in its art. PS, a tip: Despite the lack of in-game indication, puzzle dials can be rotated via the mouse wheel, which reveals any puzzle pieces which can currently be placed but which weren't visible on-screen.