Plactions
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Plactions: Master the Consumable Actions Puzzle Platformer
Plactions is a puzzle platformer where every single move matters because you only get a limited number of actions. Made by Robert Alvarez in October 2021, it's basically a puzzle game disguised as a platformer. You're moving a white square from the start to a colored portal, but you can only use actions from a queue shown at the top of the screen. Jump, dash, toggle lasers, flip gravity, teleport, whatever you need to do. There are 24 levels that get progressively harder. It's the kind of game where thinking matters way more than reflexes.
What is Plactions?
Plactions is straightforward on the surface, navigate your square to the portal. But you've got this action queue showing what moves you can make, and once you use an action, it's gone. You have to plan everything out because you can't just react or try again with unlimited moves.
The name comes from "Platform" and "Actions," which is exactly what it is. Unlike normal platformers where you can jump as many times as you want, here you're managing resources. Jump over spikes, dash across a gap, toggle a laser, flip gravity, phase through walls, but you only get to do it if it's in your queue.
From level 9 onwards, you can pick up extra actions floating in the levels. That adds a whole other layer where you sometimes need to use an action just to reach the pickup, creating these risk-reward decisions about whether it's worth it.
Why Play Plactions?
- The Action Queue Changes EverythingYou can't play on instinct. Every move has to be deliberate and planned. Regular platforming challenges turn into logic puzzles because you need to figure out the exact sequence before you even move.
- Difficulty is Perfectly PacedStarts easy enough for anyone but gets legitimately hard later. Introduces mechanics gradually, basic jumping, then dashing, laser toggling, gravity flips, teleportation.
- Five Different Actions to MasterJump for clearing obstacles, dash to cross big gaps fast, toggle lasers to open and close paths, flip gravity to walk on ceilings, teleport through walls.
- Quick Sessions24 levels, each taking 30 seconds to a few minutes. Perfect for a break. Instant restart with R means failed attempts don't feel bad, just try again.
How to Play Plactions
A, D, or arrow keys to move left and right. W, up arrow, X, or space to execute the leftmost action in your queue. R restarts the level. Esc or B goes back to the menu.
Your action queue is in the top-left corner. Each icon shows a different move, jumping figure for jump, speed burst for dash, laser symbol for toggle, upside-down for gravity flip, ghost for teleport. Press the action button and the leftmost action gets used and disappears.
Get to the colored portal at the end. Spikes kill you instantly. Some levels have crumbling platforms that fall after you step on them, so you need to move fast. Others have moving platforms or maze-like sections that need precise action usage.
Pro Tips for Not Getting Stuck
Plan the Whole Thing First
Don't move until you've traced the complete path from start to portal in your head. Figure out which actions you need at each part and verify you have them in the right order.
Think Backwards
Look at the portal and work backwards. What action gets you there? What do you need before that? Reverse-engineering the solution often works faster than planning forwards.
Understand Each Action
Jump is fixed height, plan for that. Dash carries momentum, good for wide gaps. Laser toggle affects all barriers, not just one. Gravity flip changes which surfaces you walk on.
