Bacteria: A Cellular Automaton Puzzle Game

6/2/2026, 7:25:37 PM

User Reviews

Score: 57%Mixed
Review Count: 421 reviews
Fetched At: 6/2/2026, 7:25:37 PM

Live Store Snapshot

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Japan Price: ¥ 135
Global Price: $0.99
Sale Status: Regular pricing
Price Checked At: 6/2/2026, 7:25:37 PM

Key highlight

A unique puzzle game inspired by Conway's 'Game of Life', where players manipulate cellular automata to achieve stable or cleared states on a grid.

Details

Overview

'Bacteria' is a captivating puzzle game that draws inspiration from the foundational principles of cellular automata, specifically John Horton Conway's 'Game of Life'. Developed by Sometimes You, this title challenges players to manipulate a grid based on these complex, yet elegant, rules. The core gameplay involves starting with a stable configuration on a square field and strategically adding a specific number of cells. The objective is to guide the system through a few steps of its evolution until it reaches a halted state in the colored mode, or even completely clears the board in the more demanding black and white "hard" mode.

Players can introduce individual cells or utilize pre-defined 'Life' patterns, such as the iconic 'Gliders' that move diagonally across the field, or 'Lightweight Spaceships' (LWSS) which exhibit more complex movement. Understanding how these patterns interact and evolve is key to mastering the game's challenges.

The game offers a unique blend of strategic thinking and emergent complexity, making each puzzle a distinct experience.

Highlights

Inspired by Conway's 'Game of Life', a classic cellular automaton.
Features both a colored mode for a halted state and a challenging black & white "hard" mode for clearing the board.
Offers strategic depth through the placement of individual cells and classic 'Life' patterns like Gliders and LWSS.

Who It's For

'Bacteria' is perfect for players who enjoy logic puzzles, strategy games, and titles that explore emergent complexity. Fans of Conway's 'Game of Life' will find a familiar yet fresh challenge, while newcomers to cellular automata will discover an engaging introduction to the concept. Its indie nature and puzzle focus also appeal to those seeking unique and thought-provoking gaming experiences.