DeCalc

Gameplay

DeCalc levels take place on a grid, graphically styled after a real (generic) calculator. Each level has a number of buttons that must be placed on a given path so that, when the path is followed and the buttons 'pressed', the input forms a valid mathematical equation that equals a specific result. Depending on the selected difficulty, the available buttons can be a selection of:

• Standard operators - add, subtract, multiply and divide - and parentheses
• The digits 0 to 9, which can be combined in sequence to form larger numbers
• 'Meta-buttons', which don't directly input a value
  • Swap a surrounding pair of buttons (vertically, horizontally or both)
  • Rotate the 8 surrounding buttons (clockwise or anti-clockwise)
  • Allow the player to input some number of existing buttons mid-sequence without moving them
  • Allow the player to move some number of existing buttons mid-sequence without inputting them

With the exception of some special buttons, the player can't interact directly with the calculation, only arrange them in the right order beforehand.

Levels can also have other restrictions, with paths doubling back and using the same point more than once, or requiring buttons at certain locations and optionally others. With all these options, levels can often have more than one solution, or solutions not using every provided button, but levels are always solvable. (There is no penalty for failure in any case).

The calculator is more complex than it may first appear, and evaluates according to the order of operations (e.g. multiply and divide before add and subtract); it can also handle non-whole numbers, though using them is never required and the objective results are always whole numbers.

The game tracks various statistics, including total levels solved, total tries, and the sum of all results (which usually quickly becomes Infinity after an accidental division by zero). It also has a basic achievement system, though these have no impact on gameplay.

Game Modes

The game has three main modes of gameplay:

• Casual Mode: Includes fifty preset levels, functioning as a long-term introduction with new concepts or buttons every five levels. Tutorials are presented by 'LEDie', a cheerful LED with eyes.
• Endless Mode: An endless series of random levels, with no time limit.
• Arcade Mode: An endless series of random levels, with a time limit that counts down, and time bonuses when solving a level.

The Arcade and Endless modes each have five levels of difficulty, which effect the length and complexity of equations as well as the types of buttons provided.