Nowadays, it’s quite rare to find something truly innovative in the video game industry, especially in the world of mobile games, which often recycle concepts and ideas. However, every now and then, something comes along that breaks this monotony and offers a fresh, unique experience. The Laser Way is exactly that—a mobile game that stands out from the rest, providing a simple yet fun and challenging adventure. At first glance, it might look like just another average title, easily overlooked among the overwhelming options available on the Play Store and App Store, particularly due to its simplistic presentation. But as the saying goes, you shouldn’t judge a book (or a game) by its cover.
This title combines puzzles with platforming elements, focusing primarily on solving riddles. You control a small robot named Will, who must escape a laboratory by reaching the exit in each level. The premise is as basic as it gets, but the game’s complexity lies in its level design. Each one presents a puzzle to solve, and with a total of 172 levels, it certainly offers a substantial challenge.
Mechanics
The control scheme is simple and intuitive: one button to move right, another to move left, a jump button, and the ability to draw structures on the screen with your laser, which you’ll need to progress by capturing a blue orb. The first type of laser creates structures in the shape you draw, responding to physics by falling and swaying as they would in real life. As you advance, you’ll unlock different types of lasers, each with unique properties. Some hang in midair, others disappear over time, and some even alter gravity, among other effects.
Each level presents a challenge to overcome, progressively becoming more difficult. The initial levels are very basic, helping you familiarize yourself with the core mechanics. Later levels, however, grow much more challenging, introducing various obstacles such as red zones where the laser cannot be used, moving platforms, turrets, traps, and many other hurdles that will test your skills.
Dynamics
Your goal is to guide Will to the blue orb to advance. Early levels simply require drawing a bar to create a bridge between platforms or using your laser to construct a rudimentary ramp or staircase. But as new obstacles are introduced, the gameplay becomes increasingly complex. Gradually, the experience shifts from being automatic to highly cerebral, requiring ingenuity and problem-solving skills.
The game’s biggest strength lies in its level design. Each stage presents a unique puzzle that requires clever thinking to solve. Sometimes, it also demands quick reflexes and, occasionally, parkour-like skills. Personally, I’m not great at puzzles, and more than once, I found myself constructing overly intricate and bizarre structures just to complete a level—which is part of the game’s charm. While each level is designed to be solved in a specific way, many puzzles allow for alternative solutions, giving players the freedom to experiment with their laser’s directions and shapes. I especially loved that the level selector displays the structures you used to complete previous levels, almost like a gallery of creativity.
The laser’s usage becomes more restricted as the game progresses. Early levels only require managing your laser’s charge, but later stages impose stricter limitations on its usage. These scenarios align closer to the developer’s intended strategy, making the hint system particularly useful. If you’re stuck on a level, you can activate a clue that reveals part of the solution by watching an ad. The game is free, so it’s understandable that it employs ad-based monetization.
Beyond the optional ads for hints, an ad occasionally appears before starting a level. During my initial playthrough last week, these ads took several minutes to trigger, so they didn’t disrupt the game’s flow. However, when I returned to prepare this review, I noticed an increase in ad frequency. This could be due to a reduced wait time between ads or simply because I had to retry the same level several times, triggering more ads. Hopefully, the developers will adjust this balance as needed. Alternatively, you can pay 3 euros through the app to remove ads entirely.
Aesthetics
The game’s graphics are simple but functional, featuring a hand-drawn cartoon style with a futuristic theme dominated by blue and light blue tones. The basic backgrounds ensure the player isn’t distracted, which I consider a very smart design choice. The visual presentation is clear and clean, highlighting the gameplay, where the game truly shines. There’s a good contrast, making it easy to identify different elements, and nothing is confusing. Additionally, the lack of excessive visual elements means the game runs smoothly even on lower-end devices.
Final Impressions
The Laser Way is a puzzle-platformer game available for free on Android and iOS. It’s an entertaining experience, particularly for players who enjoy logic-based puzzles that involve gravity and spatial manipulation. The simplicity of the game allows it to run smoothly on devices of all performance levels, making it an excellent recommendation for players of any age.
Who developed The Laser Way?
Released on April 17, 2025, for iOS and Android, The Laser Way was developed by the independent studio Softme Games, based in Benidorm, Alicante. This marks the debut launch for this small Spanish studio looking to make its mark in the highly competitive industry, and fortunately, their first steps are strong ones. Development took just over a year and primarily involved three studio members, though other individuals assisted with testing. The effort and care poured into the project are evident, and it’s likely we’ll hear more from this studio in the future. As a side note, Softme Games not only works on original projects but also develops games upon request. If you have an idea in mind, you can contact them through their website.
Where to download The Laser Way?
If this game has caught your eye and you’d like to try it (highly recommended), you can find it on the Play Store or the App Store. Alternatively, you can use the links below to directly download the Android or iOS version.
