Drop everything and download: Illustrated

An artistic puzzle game you just can’t put down

We live in a fast-paced world where unwinding is rarely an option. But in those rare moments of peace and quiet, what better to do than immerse yourself in artworks while solving fun little puzzles too. If that isn’t enough to calm you down you can also use the game in Story mode to learn more about the artist and make your puzzle a smidge easier.

What’s it all about?

Illustrated, created by BorderLeap, has hundreds of works of art from artists all around the world, each of which is turned into a puzzle. As part of a collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to mark the museum's 50th anniversary, works by Vincent Van Gogh are also offered as puzzles. Each item is initially difficult to distinguish, but as more pieces are added to the graphic, the illustration becomes easier to understand.

Is it any good?

We already know puzzles are great ways to wind down without switching off, but this goes a step further than mere relaxing puzzles. The music from Illustrated is dreamy and comforting, like a warm hug for your mind. So please excuse us while we abandon our work to find all the corner pieces of these puzzles.

Each puzzle in Illustrated can be solved in one of two ways-- the conventional method, known as Illustration Mode, and Story Mode. On several of the puzzle pieces in Story Mode, the artist has penned the narrative and sources of inspiration for each artwork. If you get stuck and are unsure of which item goes where, this is also beneficial because it provides more context for the artist and their work.

Where can I get it?

Illustrated is now available in Apple Arcade. If you subscribe to Apple Arcade for ₹99/month, you can play this game free of cost, ads or in-app purchases. The arcade also adds new games and content updates every week.

With the purchase of a new device, you can receive a three-month free trial of Apple Arcade, or if you're joining up for the first time, you can receive one month free. To access the service, open the App Store and tap the joystick icon at the bottom of the window.