Kye (video game)

Kye, also sometimes referred to as K.Y.E., is a puzzle video game created by Colin Hughes for the Atari ST and later ported to other platforms including Macintosh, Amiga, and MS-DOS. The game is characterized by its deceptively simple mechanics, abstract visuals, and extremely challenging puzzles.

Gameplay centers around navigating a playing field as the player-controlled character, a yellow smiley face, and manipulating colored gems or blocks. The objective is to collect all of the yellow gems on the screen, while avoiding hazards such as moving walls, enemy eyes, and strategically placed obstacles.

The core mechanic involves the interaction of three colors of gems: Red, Yellow, and Blue. Collecting a yellow gem is necessary to advance. Red and Blue gems react in specific ways when touched by the player character. Red gems generally split apart orthogonal to the direction the player moved to collect them. Blue gems will slide in the direction of the player's movement when collected, pushing other objects in their path. Clever manipulation of these gems is crucial to solving the puzzles.

The game features a large number of levels, often ordered in sequence but sometimes allowing players to select from multiple available levels. The difficulty curve is notable, progressing from relatively simple introductory puzzles to extremely complex and counterintuitive scenarios requiring precise timing and planning.

Kye is notable for its minimalist presentation, relying on simple shapes and color combinations to convey the gameplay elements. Despite its simplicity, it has garnered a cult following due to its challenging and rewarding gameplay loop. Numerous fan-made level editors and level packs have been created, extending the game's longevity. The game's puzzles often require lateral thinking and an understanding of the underlying physics of the gem interactions.