One downside, for me at least, to Neuroshima Hex is the fact that you have to learn and memorize quite a few symbols in order to understand and play the game.
There is no text on the pieces, rather everything is communicated by plus signs, white equilateral triangles, black numbers in white circles, elongated black isosceles triangles, elongated white isosceles triangles in black circles, black equilateral triangles in white circles, cross hatched triangles, semi circles, swooshy arrows, white plus signs in black circles, hourglasses, arrows, white numbers in black circles ... and probably a few others I'm missing.
I've spent probably 3 separate hours with the main game and the Puzzle game and each time I kinda have to start all over and still don't really get it all.
But maybe I'm a little obtuse, I dunno.
But, it seems like it can be a little overwhelming initially, imo ... though not utterly impenetrable I gather.