Uncle Randy unexpectedly passed away recently and you have inherited an old computer he was working on — a machine that was manufactured in 1980 known as the TIS-100. Unfortunately much of the operating system’s code is corrupted — despite your late uncle’s best efforts to repair it — rendering the computer's origin and purpose a mystery. Now that your curiosity has been piqued, will you be able to finish his work and figure out the reason for its existence?

If the synopsis doesn't intimidate you then the game’s front end probably will. It is an assembly language programming interface and you must come up with the code required to solve the conundrums it presents. These problems often seem deceptively simple to resolve, and initially they are, but thanks to the limited number of instructions available on such an archaic system — not to mention the limited space to enter code — they quickly become very challenging. As far as puzzle games go, TIS-100 makes Sudoku look about as threatening as noughts and crosses... but that is not a criticism; the complexity is what makes it so good.

You just have to understand before buying that it gets very hard very quickly, and any satisfaction comes out of learning new concepts and solving the problems yourself. This sometimes involves spending considerable time making notes and devising solutions on paper because the mental gymnastics required of you occasionally get too much. Yes, it can be frustrating, but it’s a fantastic feeling when the solution finally hits you. I even had a couple of great Scott[i.imgur.com] moments while taking a bath and ended up rushing — stark-naked and dripping-wet — to my untrusty TIS-100 for that much sought-after rush.

Obviously this game will appeal to programmers more than most, but such credentials aren't essential. You’re just as likely to enjoy it if you got good grades in maths and are partial to number puzzles. On the other hand, I’ve come across users who don't fit this profile and love the game, but for this type of person I think the initial purchase will always be a gamble.

Consequently, I give TIS-100 a glowing recommendation but with the caveat that it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.