Indie studio Filiokus, based in Oslo, is set to launch its debut puzzle adventure Cal & Bomba on October 16, 2025, via Steam. Priced at $9.99 with a 20% launch discount, the game promises over 170 handcrafted levels of explosive chain reactions, tactical programming, and colorful chaos—all designed to turn logic into fun.
A Mission Beyond Gaming: Tackling Math Anxiety with Play
At its core, Cal & Bomba isn’t just about puzzles—it’s about reimagining how players experience math and logic. Filiokus founders Martin Lothe Sæterdal and Gjermund Mørkved Bohne built the studio around the philosophy of matteglede, the Norwegian term for “joy of math.”
For Sæterdal, the project began in the classroom, where he noticed the stark divide between students who loved math and those who struggled with it. His lifelong question—“Why is math easy for some and hard for others?”—became the foundation of Cal & Bomba’s design.
Instead of punishing mistakes, the game transforms them into dazzling explosions, unpredictable surprises, and opportunities to learn through trial and error.
Explosive Gameplay: Plan, Program, and Boom
Players take control of Cal, a calculating pyromaniac gnome, and Bomba, his troll partner who lives for colorful explosions. Together, they embark on a puzzle journey where players program moves in advance, loading bombs, potions, and commands into a wagon-cannon before unleashing spectacular chain reactions.
Each puzzle demands forethought, experimentation, and creativity—making every success feel earned.
Accessible Yet Challenging
Cal & Bomba is built for both casual players and puzzle veterans:
- Normal Mode offers a welcoming entry point for newcomers or those with math anxiety.
- Hard Mode provides brain-teasing challenges for logic lovers craving a tougher test.
The game spans three themed worlds, a prologue, and climactic boss battles, blending humor, charm, and deeply satisfying problem-solving.
Key Features at a Glance
- Program-before-you-play mechanics with chain reactions
- Math-inspired puzzles that turn logic into playful chaos
- Over 170 handcrafted levels across unique worlds
- Two difficulty modes for both newcomers and veterans
- Playful characters: Cal, the calculating gnome, and Bomba, the explosion-loving troll
Spreading the Joy of Math Through Games
“We want to spread matteglede—the joy of math—through games,” says co-founder Martin Lothe Sæterdal. “When you solve a tough puzzle, it feels good. That feeling stays with you, and it’s something we want everyone to experience.”
Release Information
- Title: Cal & Bomba
- Developer/Publisher: Filiokus
- Release Date: October 16, 2025, 15:00 UK Time
- Platform: PC (Steam) – Windows, Mac, Linux
- Price: $9.99 (with 20% launch discount)
- Steam Page: Cal & Bomba on Steam
Cal & Bomba is more than just another puzzle game—it’s a vibrant experiment in turning logic into play and showing that math can be as fun as it is explosive.
