Shape-O ABC’s Review

Shape-O ABC’s is a delightful tangram puzzle app that kids will really enjoy as will adults. A version of this app is now available for both iPad as well as iPhone.

My son and I really enjoy this application. Here, players are given a variety of puzzles to choose from that are each made up of various shapes, tangram-style, that need to be dragged and dropped in the appropriate cut-out spaces that make up each of these images. This app also thoughtfully includes simple, related word puzzles naming each puzzle subject.

Although there are other apps like it, this Shape-O ABC’s has a lovely sense of style and content, making it really stand out among other puzzle apps available in the iTunes store.

Adults will also be impressed with the large selection of subject choices available that can also be limited in terms of puzzle piece size and shape, ultimately including puzzles that contain more than 30 pieces, and a nice choice of simple puzzles with fewer, larger pieces is also included. This is an intuitive app that toddlers and the preschool set will easily be able to manipulate.

Also nice is the use of letters and words used within these puzzles, as these letters are also found mixed in the geographic shapes that are needed to fill in letter boxes that make up the word associated with the puzzle in use - be it “Forest,” “Burger,” or “City.”

I greatly enjoy the use of color within, as these puzzles include a lush and rich palette of both bright as well as muted shades used within the backgrounds of these puzzles, reminding me of a water color painting or a perfectly imperfect batiked piece of cloth with a marbled quality that I greatly appreciate.

I also adore the chance to tap the rainbow button top of the screen that allows players to select a new main color to be prominently displayed in the background of the puzzle at hand, also changing the colors of the pieces at hand in complimenting, corresponding colors.

It is especially nice how these puzzles use shadows, shading and subtle grain details to create the look of a traditional wood puzzle, with a use of empty cut-out hints showing the image one is looking to create.

Each piece casts its own shadow on the puzzle being filled in which disappears as the piece becomes recessed correctly, further creating a sense of working with traditional wood shapes, and I like the subtle textures found within these shape pieces as well - a nice tactile touch.

Very enjoyable music with an array of fun instruments is also included which is very nice to listen to but which can also be easily turned off.

I like that a “how to play” section is included, thoughtfully detailing how this app works, including how to make adjustments in this app’s “settings” for a variety of abilities, such as including letter hints that one can copy from to solve the simple word puzzle or challenge children with no hints at all. Using this the word as a simple label, removing the puzzle aspect completely is also an option.

The “Settings” section is laid out nicely and includes the ability to turn on or off the different sounds including the sound effects, voice-over and background music independently - always nice options to have, as well as including the choice of lower or upper case letters.

Another interesting element is an “eye” button that will float a piece to its correct space within the puzzle - something that my son enjoys watching happen, especially as he gets tired while playing this relaxing app before bed - a function that can also be removed if parents wish to do so.

Although not an especially unique application, this app brings a great level of quality to every aspect of this app in a way that will delight even seasoned children's puzzle app enthusiasts.