If you are one of those who get goosebumps at the mere mention of functions and derivatives, skip this text.
On the other hand, I have always had a certain affinity for mathematics, and my wife is a master's degree holder in mathematics, so it's a part of my everyday life.
What does this have to do with video games? Well, you'll find out soon.
Although Néro & Sci ∫ Integral Edition is set to release on May 27, 2026, the publisher Souris-Lab has given us access to a preview version, and I must say that a real treat awaits us/you.
Néro & Sci ∫ Integral Edition is a puzzle platformer where you will solve mathematical puzzles in Héméide, a colorful world made of geometric shapes and numbers.
The main protagonists are Néro and Sci, and you can play simultaneously controlling both characters, or have help from someone at home as Player 2 - I played with my 8-year-old son and we had a great time!
As I mentioned, everything is based on mathematical operations, and in that style, there will be new abilities that you unlock, so for example, instead of shooting arrows at enemies, you will shoot vectors.
Puzzles range from simple addition and subtraction, through multiplication and division, to solving more complex functions. Don't worry, you won't need a calculator; everything is easily solvable in your head. Usually, you will have to place a certain number of elements on a scale or a platform for the calculation to be correct, create a shape according to the number of angles and the required amount of them, and so on. For instance, to defeat some bosses - yes, this game has those too - you will need to quickly solve an equation to bring down the platform they are standing on.
Most hints for solving problems can be found in the game itself; you just need to know where to look.
If you do get stuck, the developers have announced a Discord server dedicated to the game, where you can chat with them and get answers to your questions, as well as solutions to some puzzles.
Expect 4 worlds with a total of 36 levels, and a great dose of replayability, considering you can return to levels you haven't fully solved with new abilities to achieve 100%, which is a real challenge for every math freak.
The publishers claim that the gameplay is recommended by the Institute for Research on Mathematics Education (IREM Lyon) - having such a respectable institution backing it is impressive in itself.
The art style is beautiful, colorful, detailed, and the ambient music provides a calming atmosphere without being distracting during gameplay, as you will need a bit of peace and quiet to solve some puzzles.
The controls are very responsive and precise, which is crucial for this type of game.
I didn't notice any bugs, performance drops, or glitches, so the development team has done a truly excellent job, and I must admit that this is a real refreshment in the sea of games we are bombarded with daily, and I really enjoy exercising my brain while solving completely meaningful and logical puzzles.
The game is available on the e-shop for the price of €14.99 and is undoubtedly worth every cent, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to stretch their brain cells a bit while having a good time!
Nintendo Switch preview version of the game was provided by the publisher Souris-Lab.
