"Find the Odd Disk" presents a visual puzzle where players must identify a single, subtly different colored disk among a grid of seemingly identical ones. The difference in color is minimal, challenging the player's perception and requiring careful observation. The game provides no hints or feedback beyond the user's clicks, increasing the difficulty and rewarding attentive analysis. Successfully clicking the odd disk reveals the next level, featuring progressively more disks and subtler color variations, making each round more demanding than the last.
Corral is a visual logic puzzle where the goal is to enclose each number on a grid with a loop. The loop must form a single, continuous path, and the number of squares contained within each loop must match the number it encloses. The game offers various grid sizes and difficulty levels, providing a challenging and engaging spatial reasoning experience. It's implemented as a web-based game using JavaScript and features a clean, minimalist design.
Commenters on Hacker News generally expressed interest in Corral, praising its clean design and intuitive gameplay. Several suggested improvements, such as adding difficulty levels, different board sizes, and an undo button. Some discussed optimal solving strategies and the possibility of using programmatic approaches. A few commenters mentioned similarities to other logic puzzles like Slitherlink and Cave Story. There was also a brief discussion about the choice of name, with some finding it confusing or unrelated to the game's mechanics. Overall, the reception was positive, with many appreciating the simple yet engaging nature of the puzzle.
Bubbles is a simple, yet addictive web game built entirely with vanilla JavaScript, requiring no external libraries or frameworks. The goal is to click and pop rising bubbles before they reach the top of the screen. Each popped bubble awards points based on its size, with smaller bubbles giving more points. The game features increasing difficulty as the bubbles rise faster over time. It's a lightweight, browser-based experience designed for quick bursts of fun.
Hacker News users generally praised the game's simplicity and clean implementation, using vanilla JavaScript without frameworks. Several commenters appreciated the satisfying gameplay and the nostalgic feel, reminiscent of early web games. Some suggested potential improvements, like adding sound effects, different bubble sizes, or a score counter. A few users delved into technical aspects, discussing the collision detection algorithm and potential performance optimizations. One commenter even shared a modified version with added features. The overall sentiment was positive, with many finding the game a fun and well-executed example of simple web development.
Breakout has been reimagined with a roguelite/Vampire Survivors twist. Instead of a paddle, you control a constantly firing character at the bottom of the screen. Power-ups drop from destroyed bricks, enhancing your abilities like fire rate, spread, and projectile type. The game features a constantly increasing difficulty and permanent upgrades that persist across runs, allowing you to progress further with each attempt. It's playable in-browser and built using JavaScript, offering a modern take on a classic arcade experience.
Hacker News users generally praised the game's simple yet engaging gameplay, with several commending the smooth controls and satisfying feel. Some suggested potential improvements, like adding more variety in enemy types and level design, incorporating sound effects, and implementing a scoring system. A few users compared it to other similar games, noting its roguelite elements and fast-paced action. The developer actively participated in the discussion, responding to feedback and outlining plans for future updates, including mobile support and new features. Overall, the reception was positive, with users appreciating the game's polish and addictive nature.
CEO Simulator: Startup Edition is a browser-based simulation game where players take on the role of a startup CEO. You manage resources like cash, morale, and ideas, making decisions across departments such as marketing, engineering, and sales. The goal is to navigate the challenges of running a startup, balancing competing priorities and striving for a successful exit, either through acquisition or an IPO. The game features randomized events that force quick thinking and strategic adaptation, offering a simplified but engaging experience of the pressures and triumphs of the startup world.
HN commenters generally found the CEO Simulator simplistic but fun for a short time. Several pointed out the unrealistic aspects of the game, like instantly hiring hundreds of engineers and the limited scope of decisions. Some suggested improvements, including more complex financial modeling, competitive dynamics, and varied employee personalities. A common sentiment was that the game captured the "feeling" of being overwhelmed as a CEO, even if the mechanics were shallow. A few users compared it favorably to other similar games and praised its clean UI. There was also a brief discussion about the challenges of representing startup life accurately in a game format.
Detective Stories is a lateral thinking puzzle game where players solve complex mysteries by asking yes/no questions to an AI "detective." The game features intricate scenarios with hidden clues and unexpected twists, requiring players to think creatively and deduce the truth through careful questioning. The AI, powered by Deepseek, offers a dynamic and challenging experience, adapting to player inquiries and revealing information strategically. The website provides a collection of free-to-play cases, offering a unique blend of narrative and logical deduction.
Hacker News users generally praised the Detective Stories game for its unique gameplay, comparing it favorably to other lateral thinking puzzles and text adventures. Several commenters appreciated the integration of the Deepseek AI, finding its ability to answer clarifying questions helpful and impressive. Some expressed concerns about the potential for spoilers and the limitations of the free tier, while others questioned the AI's actual understanding of the stories. A few users shared anecdotes of enjoying the game with friends and family, highlighting its social and engaging nature. The Deepseek AI's occasional "hallucinations" or incorrect responses were also a point of discussion, with some finding them amusing and others viewing them as a potential drawback. Overall, the comments reflect a positive reception for this novel approach to interactive storytelling.
Bearings Only is a browser-based submarine combat game focusing on sonar and deduction. Players listen for enemy submarines using a hydrophone, plotting their movements on a grid based on bearing and changes in sound. The game emphasizes strategic thinking and careful analysis over fast-paced action, challenging players to outwit their opponents through cunning and calculated positioning rather than direct confrontation. It features minimalist graphics and a focus on immersive audio.
HN commenters generally praised the game's simple yet engaging gameplay, clean UI, and overall polish. Several appreciated the strategic depth despite the minimalist presentation, with one noting it felt like a more accessible version of Cold Waters. Others suggested potential improvements, such as adding sound effects, varying submarine types, and incorporating a tutorial or clearer instructions. Some discussed the realism of certain mechanics, like the sonar detection model, while others simply enjoyed the nostalgic vibes reminiscent of classic browser games. A few users also encountered minor bugs, including difficulty selecting targets on certain browsers.
Summary of Comments ( 106 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43745868
HN users generally enjoyed the "Find the Odd Disk" color puzzle, praising its elegant simplicity and clever design. Several pointed out the effectiveness of using just noticeable differences (JNDs) in color to create a challenging but solvable puzzle. Some discussed optimal strategies, with one suggesting binary search as the most efficient approach. A few users shared their completion times, and others expressed their satisfaction in solving it. There was some light debate over whether it was truly JND or slightly larger differences, but the overall consensus was positive, with many appreciating the break from more complex or stressful topics typically discussed on HN.
The Hacker News post "Find the Odd Disk" with ID 43745868, referring to the article about a color perception puzzle, has a modest number of comments, generating a brief discussion around the puzzle and related topics.
Several commenters discuss strategies for solving the puzzle. One commenter suggests a systematic approach, recommending starting by comparing the top-left disk to its neighbors and then systematically comparing adjacent disks, noting that the difference might be subtle. Another suggests a more visual approach, stating that squinting can help exaggerate the color difference. A third commenter explains their method, mentioning that they focused on the center of each disc, noticing a slight but consistent difference in the "odd" disk's color.
Beyond solution strategies, one commenter goes deeper into the science of color perception, mentioning the concept of "just noticeable difference" (JND) and how it plays a role in the difficulty of the puzzle. They discuss how the puzzle leverages subtle differences in color that are close to the JND threshold, making the odd disk challenging to identify.
A couple of commenters share their personal experiences with the puzzle. One admits to struggling with the puzzle, despite generally having good color vision. Another mentions finding the mobile version easier due to the increased color saturation on their screen.
Finally, one commenter draws a parallel between the puzzle and real-world applications, suggesting it's a good analogy for the challenges faced in tasks like identifying anomalies in large datasets. They point out that the subtle difference in the disk colors mirrors the subtle differences in data that can indicate important, yet easily overlooked, patterns or problems.
In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post primarily revolve around strategies for solving the color puzzle, discussions of color perception principles, and reflections on personal experiences with the puzzle, with a touch of relating the puzzle to real-world problem-solving. The conversation remains focused and relevant to the original post, offering different perspectives without veering into unrelated tangents.