This is not just another falling brick game; Hexic is a keen evolution of the genre that gives the player a lot more credit than most puzzle games do.

This hexagon-packed puzzler is a bonus for all Xbox 360 owners who pick up a hard drive for their system, as it comes pre-installed on the hard drive.

Hexic almost single-handedly kept out 360's from collecting cobwebs during the post-launch lull, and we still found ourselves firing it up when we don't have a time for a marathon "Oblivion" session or some "Fight Night" brawling. [Jun 2006, p.62]

It's a refreshing surprise that I think came out of no where this past holiday season.

It feels both incredibly easy and almost impossible at the same time. This game could take over your life and you’ll go willingly, dreaming of Black Pearls.

A fantastic game that becomes a lot deeper than it first seems once you start learning some of the advanced techniques. A perfect fit for the Xbox Live Arcade.

It is definitely a game that can be likened to chess in that to be really successful, you’ll need to plan 2-3 moves ahead.

Reminiscent of the influential puzzle gaming sensation Bejeweled, Hexic HD is a solid, attractive puzzle game that comes freely preloaded onto the Xbox 360's hard drive.

Only when you enter the timed mode do you feel that white-knuckled intensity reminiscent when your Tetris screen was filled with blocks.

But if you're in the mood for one of the more cerebral, calming puzzle experiences around, you could do a whole lot worse than fire Hexic up when you're between games - if only to trounce the high scores of your buddies.