Toward the end of last year, I discovered that jigsaw puzzles are surprisingly delightful. Initially sparked by the need to stay indoors during the COVID quarantine, my wife and I found ourselves continuing to enjoy these puzzles even after we didn’t have to remain confined at home. So, the launch of “Wilmot Works It Out,” the perfect follow-up to the 2019 masterpiece about organization, came at just the right time this fall. It stands out for me as the most impressive gaming homage to jigsaw puzzles I’ve ever experienced.
In “Wilmot Works It Out,” our beloved Wilmot has transitioned from his usual warehouse setting to the comfort of his own home. He’s joined a weekly puzzle club and tackles them much like he managed the chaos of his old warehouse. The music accompanying the game is delightfully light and airy, and there’s an adorable subplot about the postal workers bringing your puzzles. Unlike its predecessor, there’s no ticking clock; just a steady stream of puzzles to delve into.
Each puzzle begins quite modestly with just nine pieces, though they don’t grow much larger than that. The catch is that your deliveries might contain extra pieces for previous or future puzzles, adding a little layer of complexity. This design cleverly sidesteps the often-daunting task of starting a jigsaw puzzle, allowing you the freedom to work things out at your own pace. This relaxed approach is vital since one of jigsaw puzzles’ greatest joys is their self-directed nature: whether you’re assembling edge pieces, sorting by color, or single-mindedly seeking that elusive piece.
Although these puzzles are digital, the experience of piecing them together in “Wilmot Works It Out” is immensely satisfying. Pieces click together in a gratifying way when they fit, guided by artwork since all pieces share the same simplistic square shape as Wilmot himself—and, fortunately, they’re oriented correctly, sparing you the need to rotate them. As you progress through the puzzle “seasons,” the art evolves from simple beginnings to intricate, sophisticated designs. These not only challenge your pattern recognition skills but also add a delightful sense of humor through the visuals.
What’s most fascinating is that “Wilmot Works It Out” manages to capture that magical “AHA” moment; the instant when you find exactly the piece you’ve been searching for, and everything clicks into place perfectly.
If you’re eager to dive into this charming puzzle adventure, “Wilmot Works It Out” is available on both PC and Mac.
