CiniCross

CiniCross

Released Feb 2026

CiniCross is a dark fantasy roguelite where nonogram puzzles meet dungeon crawling. Solve increasingly complex puzzles, choose your path through a branching dungeon, and bend the rules using powerful artifacts. Each room is a puzzle. Each boss, a deadly challenge.

84% positive · 477 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development

Where to buy

Steam $8.39 $11.99 −30%
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Evaluation

CiniCross launched on February 11, 2026. Since release, the developer (a solo developer at Hydrobates) has been consistently active, shipping multiple updates across five months. At launch on February 11, 2026, the developer explicitly stated: "Even though the game is officially released, support will continue: I'm planning balance adjustments, bug fixes, and additional content based on your feedback." This confirmed post-launch development intent from day one. The most significant update arrived on June 19, 2026: Update 1.1, called the "Companion Update." This was a substantial free content addition introducing an entirely new mechanic (Companions), a new playable class (Tamer), nine new artifacts, a new performance ranking system, and Japanese language support. This is the kind of major content expansion that demonstrates the developer is meaningfully growing the game beyond its initial release. Between launch and the 1.1 update, the developer shipped several feature patches adding in-game saves (February 15, 2026), accessibility options and a Pacifist Timer mode (February 21, 2026), new languages, puzzle chains, and Steam Deck support (April 18–19, 2026). Following the 1.1 release, three additional patches (June 19–26, 2026) refined balance and added further features. The most recent developer communication was on June 26, 2026. The game has no unreleased DLC listed, and no specific future content has been formally announced — but the developer has demonstrated a consistent pattern of delivering new features and content at regular intervals since launch. No statement indicating the conclusion of development has been made.
Evidence
Update 1.1 (Companion Update) ships as a major free content update, adding the Companion mechanic, the Tamer class, 9 new artifacts, a puzzle performance ranking system, and Japanese language support.
news post · Jun 19, 2026 source content shipped
high
Launch announcement states: 'Even though the game is officially released, support will continue: I'm planning balance adjustments, bug fixes, and additional content based on your feedback.'
news post · Feb 11, 2026 source content planned
high

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Hydrobates
Achievements
35
Platform
Windows, Linux
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

CiniCross is a dark fantasy roguelite built around nonogram puzzles (also known as Griddlers).

Descend into a cursed dungeon where every puzzle solved brings you closer to powerful enemies, and greater rewards.

Increasing difficulty

The deeper you go into the dungeon, the more complex the puzzles become.

Solve procedurally generated nonograms of various grid sizes from 5x5 to 20x20. Risk grows with depth, but so do the rewards.

Face powerful bosses in procedurally generated dungeons

Each floor offers multiple paths, all leading to a deadly boss.

Every boss has a unique power that forces you to adapt your strategy and rethink how you approach nonograms. Along the way, discover shops, campfires, and other locations to aid your journey.

 

Use the power of artifacts and items

Collect powerful artifacts and items that change how you play. Automatically fill columns, increase rewards, slow down time, and more.

Combine their effects to create devastating synergies during your run.

Perish and retry

Every mistake, every wasted second comes at a cost.

Death is inevitable, but each run is a new opportunity. Start over, gather new treasures, refine your strategy, and manage your time carefully to go further than before.

Last evaluated Aug 13, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content