Picross 3D: Round 2

Taking full use of the touch screen and 3D capabilities of Nintendo's handheld, this new chapter in the series is well presented and reaches that right balance between simplicity and challenge. Something for everyone who enjoys having a good mental stimulation in the form of a puzzle game.

Perfectly tuned difficulty curve, achievements, unique challenges, over 300 puzzles and gameplay model ideal for sessions that last either 5 minutes or 3 hours. [01/2017, p.75]

The smartest puzzle game ever continues with Round 2, which is even better than the first. There is a great amount of content and there is a new depth to the puzzles thanks to adding two colors. Puzzle games do not get any better than this.

After the revolutionary three-dimensional conversion of Picross, this cozy touch of color only appears as an evolution. But despite a slight yet inevitable complication of the controls, such a smoothly rounded addition allows much more elaborated puzzles. Considering the massive challenge revealed slowly and surely through this fantastic collection of intriguing books, Picross 3D : Round 2 is definitely a new heavyweight champion among mindbrawlers.

Nintendo and HAL labs could easily have just made the same game with more puzzles, and nobody would have been upset by that. Instead they’ve upped the complexity, creating a damned near perfect sequel - and something genuinely unmissable for fans of logic puzzles.

Picross 3D: Round 2 is a game of chillin' and chiselin'. [Issue #24 – November/December 2016, p.23S]

Picross 3D 2 is what a sequel should be, especially for puzzle games. I would've been happy with more puzzles, but it went further. It iterated and engaged my brain in new and clever ways that I hadn't even considered, it revised its progression ramp in a way that I found more satisfying, and it gave and continues to give me dozens of hours of enjoyment. If you have any interest in logic puzzles and brain-teasers, this is a can't-miss.

A gem of a game that's chock full of charm in its presentation. From its music to the reveals in puzzle solutions, the game is an audio and visual delight. As a puzzle game, it's wonderfully challenging with options to tone down the difficulty and tailor the experience.

Picross 3D Round 2 is more complicated than the previous 3D Picross, but its changes add worthwhile challenge without venturing into the world of over-complication. Its tutorial levels do a good job training the player in the higher-level tactics, and there are enough small variations beyond the standard puzzle to keep things interesting throughout. Don’t be intimidated by all of the numbers, because Picross 3D Round 2 is one of the 3DS’ best puzzle games.

This is the ultimate traditional puzzle game. The new colors make Round 2 a little bit different from the first, and there are so many new puzzles that you can easily get through the holidays with them.

This game is comfort food, and it's a dish I won't mind having every single day.

Good old puzzle-solving Picross is a stepchild of crosswords, Sudoku and coloring books – but with nicer creations and a couple of interesting new ideas, what significantly deepen the gameplay and fun hand in hand with addictiveness.

Good old puzzle-solving Picross is a stepchild of crosswords, Sudoku and coloring books – but with nicer creations and a couple of interesting new ideas. [Issue #270]

Picross 3D: Round 2 provides a relaxing puzzle experience, while making you feel like a genius whenever you just “get” it – as any good puzzle game should.

It's wonderfully soothing. [Christmas 2016, p.80]