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Tag: Matching »

5BY5 Brain Game Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Charlie Miller on March 6th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: NUMBER SLIDING FUN
Sliding tiles mashed up with number adding and color matching - there’s a lot going on in this puzzle strategy brain game.
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Qwirkle Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Mike Deneen on February 24th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: JUST LIKE THE REAL THING
Board games are usually a great genre on mobile devices and Mindware's Qwirkle falls in line with the quality iOS users have come to expect.
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Stubies Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Angela LaFollette on February 18th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: CHARMING
An adorable and chaotic puzzler where the goal is to clear the screen by matching block-headed creatures together without letting them fall off the platforms.
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Voro Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Angela LaFollette on January 31st, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: MESMERIZING
A tile matching puzzler that offers plenty of playtime and replay value to keep players entertained, but the pop-up ads just aren’t cool.
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Fiete Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Amy Solomon on January 14th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: CHARMING TODDLER APP
Fiete is a charming, stylized app full of mini games young children will enjoy.
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Words Of Wonder Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Jennifer Allen on October 29th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: NEARLY WONDROUS
It's a format that many will have played in a slightly different guise, but that doesn't stop Words of Wonder being rather good fun.
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That's My Bag Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Jennifer Allen on August 15th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: VARIED & TOUGH
Almost overwhelmingly varied, That's My Bag is quite the challenge despite its cute and simple concept.
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Battle for Niria Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on March 25th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: NEEDS MORE WORK
This online puzzle rpg could use a bit more time in the oven.
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Wordchemy Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Jordan Minor on February 6th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: FULLMETAL WORDCHEMIST
Not the most radical spelling game, but a fine one nonetheless.
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Jelly All Stars Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on January 25th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: BACK TO BASICS
This no-frills puzzle game is a decent time-waster for familiarities' sake, but it doesn't bring much that's new to the table.
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7 Elements Review

iPad App - Designed for iPad
By Rob Rich on January 18th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: BY YOUR POWERS COMBINED
Match-3 games are fun. Especially when they strive to do things a little differently from each other.
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Angel Salvation Review

Posted by Rob Rich on August 17th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Developer: ONECLICK GAME
Price: $0.99
Version: 1.0.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
User Interface Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar

[rating:overall]

The forces of good and evil, Heaven and Hell, are constantly at war. This time around, the conflict is being depicted through a kind of mish-mash of match 3, RPG, and Pokemon. It’s got the looks and it’s got the wacky combination of gameplay elements, but does Angel Salvation hold up under scrutiny? Yup, pretty much.

The general gameplay in Angel Salvation is very similar to most match 3 games with one notable exception: a given gem can be moved anywhere on the board - both horizontally and vertically - over any distance. Matching a given set of gems will power-up a team member of the same color and unleash an attack, which varies in strength based on how many gems complete the set. And individual characters can unleash special abilities when charged that run the gamut from healing to massive direct damage attacks. Then there’s all the collecting. Gems earned through combat and help points earned through, well, combat, can be used to earn new warriors that can then be incorporated into the group. And then enhanced with unwanted characters or evolved into stronger forms once they’ve leveled up enough.

Angel Salvation is a good looking game for sure, but it’s the combination of puzzle gameplay and monster collection that kept me playing until the wee hours of the morning. Matching up those gems and seeing them cascade into combo after combo, then watching the ensuing barrage of carnage is always a pleasure. And collecting, leveling, and evolving heroes is a major hook.

The same care and attention given to the visuals and the matching game hasn’t been given to everything, sadly. Menus are set up oddly at times; the way I can’t double-back to the main Heroes menu from any of the sub menus without hitting Back several times or jumping over to a different menu and back again is one example. The way fairly significant information - such as money required for enhancements - isn’t communicated clearly is another. But the largest issue is the need for a consistent Internet connection. Yes, for some strange reason Angel Salvation is an online-only game. Even though the online elements (namely friends) aren’t a major focus. It's still a great game overall, but being unable to play unless online is majorly restrictive.

Angel Salvation can feel unpolished in bizarre ways at times, and the Internet requirements create a pretty substantial obstacle in certain situations, but the game proper is actually pretty great. It combines role playing, collection, and match 3 elements incredibly well and it can be very difficult to put down when trying to earn enough tertiary characters to level up a favorite.

Jewels with Buddies Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Jason Wadsworth on July 23rd, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: BEEN THERE MATCHED THAT
A well executed but ultimately run-of-the-mill matching game with a few social gaming additions.
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Puzzle Dungeons Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Rob Rich on July 17th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: TRIPLE-TREAT
It's more of a grind than a story-driven epic, but it's an very fun grind.
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Matching With Friends Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Jason Wadsworth on June 28th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: A PERFECT MATCH
Match as many blocks as possible and score higher than your friends in this new asynchronous block matching game from Zynga.
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