Maze Quest for Windows

Games don't always have to have dazzling graphics or cutting-edge gameplay to be fun. If you need proof of this, look no further than Maze Quest. This simple little game is surprisingly challenging and addictive, and we found ourselves playing for far longer than we had intended to--always the sign of a worthwhile game.

Maze Quest's interface is nothing to get excited about, just a small rectangle with some fairly unremarkable 2D graphics; they're not amateurish, but they didn't impress us, either. There's a little man in a green hood and some blocks that are preventing him from reaching the stairs. At least, that's how it starts; as players work their way through the seven tutorials and beginning levels, new challenges and tools are introduced. There are blocks that can be pushed or walked through, elevator platforms, slippery ice blocks, bombs, slingshots, teleporters, and much more. The beginning levels provided a fairly easy introduction to how the game works, but the challenges quickly mounted as we worked through each level. There are 135 levels in all, which should keep even serious puzzle-solvers busy for quite some time. If that's not enough, users can also create their own mazes. The program doesn't have a Help file per se, but the built-in tutorials provide plenty of guidance. Overall, we were surprised to find such an enjoyable game in such humble packaging, and we recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good puzzle.

Maze Quest installs and uninstalls without issues.