Arranger is a charming and inventive puzzle game that combines humor, surprising twists, and a deceptively simple movement mechanic to create a unique and enjoyable experience. Developed and published by Furniture & Mattress LLC, Arranger is set to release on July 25th, 2024, and is available for both Windows and macOS via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
At its core, Arranger is about movement—both literally and metaphorically. The gameplay revolves around navigating a grid-based world, but instead of moving the protagonist, Jemma, directly, you control the rows and columns she stands on, sliding them like travelators. Jemma, a feisty misfit, wants to escape her small town in The Hold, a place trapped by a mysterious force called Static, which freezes objects and people in place. Your job is to help her navigate the grid by moving the environment around her—think How To Say Goodbye, but with more squares and puzzles that get progressively more complex.
The game’s mechanics are simple at first but grow more intricate as you explore different themed areas, such as a beachside village, a tech dungeon, and a cactus-filled desert. Each environment is beautifully illustrated, with comic-like cutscenes that bring the world to life. The puzzles themselves are full of variety: Static-blocked rocks that you must maneuver around, scream-faced monsters you have to vanquish with swords, and time-based challenges like shearing not-so-sheep.
The puzzles range from easy to mind-bendingly difficult, and just when you think you’ve got the hang of it, the game introduces new challenges—like moving machinery to reshape a level’s layout or guiding Jemma past laser traps. But the game remains friendly, offering optional settings to skip almost any puzzle if you get stuck (though some optional puzzles, like the tricky mine necklace challenge, are notably harder to solve).
Arranger also shines in its writing, packed with quirky humor and unexpected giggles. From strange non-sheep to robots that can’t feel love, the game’s lighthearted tone contrasts nicely with the deeper themes it touches on. There’s even a running joke in one section that’s too good to spoil. The game’s humor helps offset some of the more heavy-handed moments, like a town that’s stopped speaking in favor of sending messages via mechanical birds (a cheeky dig at social media).
While the final moral lesson of the game may come off as predictable, it doesn’t detract much from the overall experience. Arranger is an imaginative, clever, and fun game that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Its blend of humor, challenge, and accessibility makes it great for both puzzle veterans and newcomers. Even after finishing the game, I found myself wanting to return to tackle some of the tougher optional puzzles.
In short, Arranger is a delightful, layered puzzle adventure that’s well worth your time.
This review is based on a review build of the game provided by the developer.
