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Tag: Puzzles »

Corrypt Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on January 29th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: SURREAL SOKOBAN
Corrypt seems like a box-pushing puzzle game with a slight twist at first but it soon becomes almost as twisted as the alien landscape it's set on.
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Kairo Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on January 28th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: A NICE PLACE TO VISIT
Explore vast ruins, solve twisted puzzles, and hopefully piece together the great mystery of "Why?" in this surreal puzzle adventure.
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Rise of the Blobs Review

Posted by Rob Rich on January 22nd, 2013
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Developer: Robot Invader
Price: FREE
Version: 1.4
App Reviewed on: iPhone 5

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Playtime Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar

[rating:overall]

Anyone who’s been a part of most social or family gatherings is no doubt familiar with the Jello Mold. These bricks of edible gelatin and suspended fruit are something of a mainstay in our culture, after all. But few know where the concept really came from. This is no mere simple desert to make for half-hearted get-togethers, it’s a tradition meant to remind us of a horrible amorphous threat and the many fruits that were chucked in order to quell it.


Rise of the Blobs centers around a little talking marshmallow named Mal and his desperate fight for survival against a horde of colorful blobs. Mal was able to take shelter in a rather high place before the horde got to him but these jellied monsters are crafty. They’ve begun to pile on top of each other in an attempt to reach the lone survivor, and the only means he has to fend them off is a near limitless supply of fruit. Players can rotate their view around the column by swiping to the side and can expedite a given fruit’s descent by swiping down. The trick is to get the right fruit to the right blob (i.e. an orange to orange, strawberry to red, etc), then to pop it with a tap once it’s been absorbed. Any like-colored blobs that are touching will also be destroyed in a ripple effect that can drastically effect the blobs’ layout. As the game progresses the action starts to speed up and failure becomes inevitable, but any and all coins earned along the way can be used to buy useable items or permanent upgrades as well as unlock new power-ups in order to make successive attempts a tad easier.

The environments and blobs sport a fun and cartoony design, and the way the screen will sometimes get splattered with juices during particularly large chains of explosions is nice, but I found the sheer variety to be the most impressive part of the visuals. Each level has its own particular theme, complete with different blobs and fruits. I was totally content with the starting level’s look as it is, but this is even better. There’s also plenty of incentive to keep playing thanks to all the unlockable modes, items to buy in the shop, and “missions” to complete. That and it’s just fun to play.

My one complaint about Rise of the Blobs is that when the difficulty ramps up it ramps up hard, even after the update. Once Mal starts to chuck fruit at warp speed it’s extremely tough not to get overwhelmed. At least not without a coconut bomb or two.

Even with the difficulty Rise of the Blobs is still plenty of fun. So much so that losing typically ends up being just another excuse to play again. Or maybe get Mal a new hat.

Dream of Pixels Review

Posted by Rob Rich on November 21st, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Developer: Dawn of Play
Price: $0.99
Version: 1.0.14
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS
Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
User Interface Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar

[rating:overall]

I was one of those kids who played a lot of Tetris. I mean a lot. So much that I dreamt of falling blocks and line clearing for a while. So it shouldn’t be all that surprising to know that I’ve since gotten rather burned out on the whole thing. Then a game like Dream of Pixels comes out and starts the whole cycle all over again.

The way I’ve been describing Dream of Pixels to everyone I’ve been recommending it to - and it’s been quite a few people - is “similar to Tetris.” Or rather, “It’s Tetris, but upside-down and backwards.” Rather than slotting together blocks that fall from the top of the screen and clearing multiple lines in order to keep from wiping out, players have to remove pieces from a large mass that slowly creeps toward the bottom of the screen. At least, that’s how the main game works. There are several other variants that can be unlocked that are just as habit forming.

Dream of Pixels is one of those puzzle games that’s simply awesome. The core mode goes on and on until there are too many mistakes, and the longer a player can last the better the chances of them unlocking more modes. Granted I’ve yet to unlock the last three variations (Pro, Nightmare, and Shattered Dream) because the main game can get pretty crazy, but I have unlocked Puzzle. Puzzle Mode is practically another game in itself and quite possibly even better than Classic. In this variation there are no time limits but rather blocky images that need to be deconstructed. A specific set of pieces is available in a particular order and the goal is to strategically remove each one in order until the image is gone. It’s kind of like Picross, also backwards.

And yet, with all this awesome Dream of Pixels has two major drawbacks. First, the controls for lining up pieces (dragging) are a bit finicky and can occasionally lead to a few missed opportunities and flubbed withdrawals.
The second and far bigger problem is that any play session of any game type almost always results in a staggering amount of lost time. Seriously, this game is a menace to subway commuters with any intention of getting off at a particular stop.

It’s amazing how fresh a classic puzzle game can feel with a little change in perspective. Dream of Pixels successfully revitalizes one of the most popular styles of puzzle, turns it on its head, and changes the rules while still keeping everything familiar. The sheer addictiveness is more than enough to warrant a purchase but the wealth of bonus modes (especially Puzzle) make it a no-brainer.

Righteous Kill HD Review

iPad App - Designed for iPad
By Jennifer Allen on November 1st, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: AVERAGE
There's nothing inherently wrong with Righteous Kill but it's a pretty run of the mill Hidden Object game that struggles to stand out.
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Shardlands Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on October 31st, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: SLIDE HOME
Create pathways, redirect hazardous lasers, avoid hungry monsters and more in a series of alien mazes filled with all manner of puzzles.
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Draw a Stickman: Epic Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Rob Rich on October 30th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: OUTSIDE THE LINES
It's about as taxing as *actually* drawing stick figures in a coloring book, but Draw a Stickman: Epic is full of enough charm and playful interactions to warrant some doodling.
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Hairy Tales Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on October 30th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: MIND THAT FIRST STEP
Get Hairy to wipe out the spreading corruption and make it to the exit in one piece in this quirky land-shifting puzzler.
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About Love, Hate and the Other Ones Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on October 30th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: LOTS TO LOVE
Spread the love (and the hate) liberally in this "kind of" box pushing puzzle game.
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Crossword Dungeon Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on October 26th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: A LITTLE FLAT
Role playing games and crossword puzzles mix surprisingly well, but in Crossword Dungeon's case it could've gone a bit further.
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Hidden Runaway Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Jennifer Allen on October 22nd, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: RE-IMAGINED MYSTERY
Hidden Runaway is a re-imagining of the 2003 Runaway game. It's a highly enjoyable casual adventuring game.
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Drawn: Trail of Shadows Review

iPad App - Designed for iPad
By Jennifer Allen on October 17th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: LUSCIOUS
With a memorable art style and unique way of tackling puzzles, Drawn: Trail of Shadows is a quite special casual adventure game.
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The Magician's Handbook II: Blacklore Review

iPad App - Designed for iPad
By Jennifer Allen on October 4th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: RUN OF THE MILL
It might not be the most thrilling example of the genre but The Magician's Handbook II: Blacklore still provides some fun for Hidden Object fans.
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Forever Lost: Episode 1 Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Jennifer Allen on October 3rd, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: SPOOKY EXCELLENCE
Forever Lost: Episode 1 is an original and rather spooky adventure game, set in a mental asylum. Unsettling is certainly the word for it.
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The Room Review

iPad App - Designed for iPad
By Angela LaFollette on September 26th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: EERILY DELIGHTFUL
The Room is a mystery box puzzler that’s not only beautiful to look it, but the spine-tingling game play makes it too immersive to put down.
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