Musaic Box is a relaxing experience of interactive audio and geometric puzzles as well as a short point-and-click adventure. It’s easy to enjoy the selection of classic music pieces included in the game even if you’re not familiar with all of them or a fan of the genre. Although slow-paced and somewhat repetitive in concept, gameplay remains fresh and interesting throughout. Unfortunately, this is mostly because the game is so short. Your total playtime and overall justification for your purchase will probably be based heavily on how much enjoyment you get out of the bonus mode once you have completed the main game.
The point-and-click portion of the game takes place with a fixed view of each room. You click on objects to reveal or select torn segments of the coded compositions. Some segments are also received by completing puzzles. Puzzles are only unlocked for play after retrieving all segments of the code (one to four pieces). Don’t worry about getting stuck looking for one hard to find piece though. The game will place a purple twinkle on screen as a hint if you idle for a short time. A small map of the house also shows the number of pieces left in each room.
The puzzle gameplay itself is somewhat unique. Basically, you arrange tiles on a shaped board in a way that matches the music. Each tile has an associated instrument or group of instruments that play when the vertical “audio line” crosses it. Tiles come alone and attached to other tiles, forcing you to decipher how the tiles can fit around each other on the board. There can be up to four instrument groups (represented by different colors) in the puzzle, and the same group can’t play two tiles at once (a color can not repeat vertically). You may listen to your arrangement at any time by clicking on a tile. The audio line will start on that column of tiles and progress to the right, playing the audio of each tile as it passes over them. A puzzle may or may not come with a lead melody player that makes the solution easier to find. A hint button allows you to see which tiles are in the wrong location, but it makes the puzzles even easier than they already are so I advise against using it. Although puzzles become more difficult later in the game, they never become frustrating and sometimes just require some trial and error. It may seem complicated, but it is all very simple in practice and the help option at the main menu clearly explains it all.
The visuals are crisp and serve their purpose. It’s hard to mess up point-and-click environments, so at least you can tell the game is competent. The puzzles have unique visuals meant to reinforce the concept that you’re working with a music box. You’re given a slightly flashy show once you solve each puzzle and it feels adequately satisfying.
Musaic Box is fun and unique. Unfortunately, it is very short and hard to recommend for the full $9.99 price. Most players will be completely done with the main game and burnt out on the bonus mode within two to three hours and will never return. However, if you have money to burn and want a change in scenery from your usual games, then Musaic Box will deliver a very enjoyable and very relaxing experience.